Corner - (Hardcover)

About the Book

"In this (almost wordless) picture book, the sole character, a crow, finds themselves in a new and completely empty space. With nothing to do, boredom sets in, and the crow decides to take matters into their own hands. The crow starts to decorate, adding a bed, a bookshelf, a lamp, and even a potted plant. Everything is placed neatly in the corner of the room, and slowly the corner begins to reflect the life and personality of its occupant. These furnishings help, but it's not enough. The crow spends time watering the plant, reading, sleeping. However, in the end, there's still not much to do but stare at the wall. "Hello?" the crow calls out. But nobody answers. The crow wonders what else they can add to the space to make it their own. They start small, using a small piece of yellow chalk. The reader watches the plant grow as time passes, and the crow draws squares and rectangles on the walls, filling the space with beautiful, glowing geometric patterns. The room fills with colour as the crow thrives in a space complete with wall art, a healthy plant growing taller, and music for dancing. But something is still missing. So, after thinking on it, the crow adds one last thing -- a window! "Hello?" the crow asks once again. And this time, they are greeted in return by a passerby on the other side of the window."--

Book Synopsis

A quirky and relatable story about balancing creativity and connection

A crow finds itself in an empty corner and begins to make the space its own. First, it furnishes the corner with a bed, a bookshelf, a rug, even a potted plant. In the newly decorated space, the crow reads and eats, listens to music and waters the plant, but something's missing. What is it?

The crow decides to decorate more, drawing geometric patterns on the walls in yellow. The corner is filled with color and shapes, but something is still missing. The crow adds a window, and finally discovers what it needed all along--a way to connect with the world outside and to make a new friend.

This highly original, almost-wordless picture book is the first title by award-winning Korean author and illustrator Zo-O to be published in English. Soft, detailed illustrations of the cozy corner will inspire kids to express themselves in their own spaces, and the crow's problem-solving skills encourage readers to think about how they can comfortably step outside of their comfort zone.

Review Quotes

"[A] quiet book about identity and adapting one's environment ... This thoughtful picture book would make a nice addition to a story time featuring characters who strive to make a house into a home."

-- "Children's Literature Comprehensive Database"

"A cleverly wrought tale of growth, inventiveness, and how an impulse to nurture brings life into a space, allowing a being to thrive."

-- "Publishers Weekly - STARRED REVIEW"

"A quirky, thought-provoking, and stunning reminder that a house is not a home."

-- "Kirkus Reviews - STARRED REVIEW"

"Exploring themes of growth, trying new things, and broadening one's view, this understated story uses ever-expanding visual images to skillfully convey layers of meaning."

-- "Booklist"

"The charming illustrations look as though they are done in colored pencil, with lots of texture and homey, hygge details. This would be a great book for discussion and predicting."

-- "Youth Services Book Review"

"The ending is just right and will bring huge smiles to those sharing this almost wordless, very telling story."

-- "Sal's Fiction Addiction"

"The soft coloured pencil illustrations in Corner are subtly textured, and the crow's gestures make the story easy to follow despite the almost complete lack of words. Children can easily relate to the crow, and the story encourages all of us to think about what we would do ... Zo-O suggests that satisfying the need for food and shelter is not enough; like the crow, we need creativity, and we need companionship to feel contented."

-- "Canadian Review of Materials"