For families seeking a charming, clever tale about protecting one's home and loved ones, this story of resourceful animals outsmarting a foe offers delightful wit.
Parents might reach for this book when their child is facing a persistent problem or a bully, and needs a story that champions cleverness over confrontation. In this witty tale by Aldous Huxley, Mrs. Crow is devastated to find a rattlesnake is eating her eggs every day. Her husband, Mr. Crow, enlists the help of their wise friend, Old Man Owl, to concoct an ingenious plan to trick the snake and protect their future family. The story beautifully illustrates the power of teamwork, creative problem-solving, and resilience. Suitable for ages 6 to 9, its sophisticated language and humorous tone make it a delightful read-aloud that values intelligence and friendship as the ultimate tools for achieving justice.
The central conflict involves the death of the crows' unborn babies (the snake eating the eggs). This is handled directly but not graphically. The resolution is non-lethal but involves the antagonist suffering significant pain (cramps) and humiliation. The tone is secular. The resolution is triumphant for the protagonists, presenting a form of humorous, frontier-style justice rather than a restorative one. The snake is permanently subdued, not reformed or forgiven.
Ideal Reader
This book is perfect for an inventive 7-year-old who appreciates dry humor and clever solutions. This child may be dealing with a recurring frustration, like a sibling who always foils their plans or a classmate who is a persistent nuisance. They will delight in a story that celebrates outthinking a problem rather than overpowering it.
Parent Prep
The vocabulary is more advanced than a typical book for this age group (e.g., "consternation," "indignation"). A parent may want to preview the text to be prepared to explain certain words. The concept of the snake eating the eggs is the primary point of potential sensitivity, but the story's light, comical tone prevents it from becoming truly scary. A discussion about the fairness of the snake's ultimate fate could be worthwhile. A parent might seek this book after their child expresses frustration over a situation that feels unfair and repetitive, saying something like, "It's not fair! He always ruins our game and we can't stop him!" The child feels powerless and is looking for a new way to approach the problem.
Age Experience
A younger reader (age 6) will grasp the core plot of tricking a 'bad guy' and enjoy the funny illustrations, especially the snake tied in a knot. An older reader (ages 8-9) will better appreciate the witty prose, the cleverness of the multi-step plan, and the satisfaction of the intellectual victory over a physical threat. They are also more likely to enjoy the sophisticated language.
What Makes It Special
What makes this book unique is its classic, literary voice. Written by Aldous Huxley, the prose is elegant, witty, and never condescending. Unlike many contemporary books about bullying that focus on empathy or telling an adult, this story presents a clever, self-reliant solution rooted in classic fable and trickster-tale traditions. The humor is dry and the justice is absolute.
Read plot summary
Mr. and Mrs. Crow live in a cottonwood tree in Pearblossom. They are distressed because a rattlesnake who lives at the base of the tree repeatedly climbs it and eats Mrs. Crow's eggs. Feeling helpless, Mr. Crow seeks advice from his wise friend, Old Man Owl. Together, they devise a clever plan: they create two mud eggs, bake them hard in the sun, and place them in the nest. The snake swallows the mud eggs, gets terrible stomach cramps, and in his agony, ties himself into a tight knot around a branch. The crows and their new family then use the immobilized snake as a handy clothesline.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Mr. Crow went to Old Man Owl for help. Why was teamwork important to solving their problem? Can you think of a time when a friend helped you figure something out?
2
The crows' plan was to trick the snake with mud eggs. What do you think of their solution? Was it a smart plan? Was it a fair plan?
3
At the end, the crows use the snake as a clothesline. Do you think this was a good punishment? What do you think should happen to the snake next?
4
How did Mrs. Crow's feelings change from the beginning of the story to the end? What specific things happened to make her feel happy and safe again?
