Gregory, Maw, and the Mean One

A parent might reach for this book when their child is trying to understand a grumpy peer, a strict teacher, or a perpetually unhappy relative. It's a perfect story for kids who ask why some people are just plain mean. In this gentle Western adventure set in 1906, a young boy named Gregory, who was lovingly raised by a crow, must deal with the town menace known as the Mean One. Instead of fighting him, Gregory and his crow-mom use their secret ability to travel into the past to discover the sad event that made the Mean One so angry. This book creatively explores themes of empathy, the roots of behavior, and the power of understanding. It's a quirky, heartwarming tale that wraps a profound lesson in a fun, accessible package of fantasy and history.