Kitty Crowther's ink and watercolor pictures arequirky and appealing, with the seagulls dressed in jaunty stripes and Jack theblackbird in a handsome red shirt. No question, the book's shiningglory is in its illustrations.

Until, that is, they learn that he has a skill none of them do.Jack's ability to read funny stories from an old washed-up box of books wins thefriendship of the crusty gulls, and interspecies harmony abounds at last.Though the story has an innocent sweetness to it and the plot line is pleasantlymeandering, the denouement seems forced as lessons about the importance oftolerance and the value of literacy are blurred. In spite of Jim'sefforts to defend his friend, the villagers can't seem to get beyond Jack'sdifferences. 'Who's that funny bird,' old Captain Seagull asks. Unfortunately, the other (white) gulls aren't sohospitable. There he encounters adashing seagull named Jim, who welcomes Jack into his life and shows him thewonders of his seaside village. The seagulls in the village have a mean, quarrelsome look about them, while Jack's and Jim's open expressions reflect their unbiased hearts.Longing for adventure, Jack the blackbird decides one day to venture outfrom his forest home to seek the excitement of the sea. Kitty Crowther's ink and watercolor pictures are quirky and appealing, with the seagulls dressed in jaunty stripes and Jack the blackbird in a handsome red shirt.

No question, the book's shining glory is in its illustrations. Though the story has an innocent sweetness to it and the plot line is pleasantly meandering, the denouement seems forced as lessons about the importance of tolerance and the value of literacy are blurred. Jack's ability to read funny stories from an old washed-up box of books wins the friendship of the crusty gulls, and interspecies harmony abounds at last. Until, that is, they learn that he has a skill none of them do. In spite of Jim's efforts to defend his friend, the villagers can't seem to get beyond Jack's differences. Unfortunately, the other (white) gulls aren't so hospitable. There he encounters a dashing seagull named Jim, who welcomes Jack into his life and shows him the wonders of his seaside village. Longing for adventure, Jack the blackbird decides one day to venture out from his forest home to seek the excitement of the sea.

Jack & Jim by Kitty Crowther