The endearing true story of how a love of birds connected and inspired two literary giants--Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe.

Years before Edgar Allan Poe's raven said "Nevermore," Charles Dickens' pet raven, Grip, was busy terrorizing the Dickens children and eating chipped paint. So how exactly did this one mischievous bird make a lasting mark on literature?

From England to the United States and back again, this is the true and fascinating story of how a brilliant bird captured two famous authors' hearts, inspired their writing, and formed an unexpected bond between them. This ingenious slice of history, biography, and even ornithology celebrates the fact that creative inspiration can be found everywhere. ★ "Fotheringham’s digital illustrations beautifully evoke the dress and scenery of the Victorian era. Employing the craft of a skilled storyteller, Singer makes a few historical facts come alive in the form of a delightful tale . . . A slice of literary history that will appeal to a young audience as well as teachers, librarians, and caregivers. Perfect as a read-aloud, this is a fine addition for any collection." —School Library Journal, starred review

"An expanded version of one of the several solutions to the Mad Hatter’s riddle about how a raven is like a writing desk: Poe and Dickens wrote on both . . .  Worth treasuring for its very unlikeliness." —Kirkus