A week or so later I received my first picture book for review. I'm excited to get to peek into this publishers list from time to time.
Chicken BIG--I love it!
And I'm jealous that I didn't write it, and that I'm not a professional writer/illustrator. Drats!
The dust jacket was the first clue that this was definitely going to be a funny read. The kooky-looking chicken characters and their equally kooky comments made me eager to jump into the story.The flap copy convinced me to head straight for the first page.
Graves has turned the classic Chicken Little on its head by introducing a big, humongous chick into a family of, shall we say, less than brilliant chickens. As I turn the pages these funny looking, funny talking chickens keep trying to figure out what kind of critter this enormous, fluffy yellow thing really is. (BOK!) They are not being very successful. As, the big chick patiently waits for the truth to dawn on the family members he becomes their guardian. His reactions to his odd family shine through the great facial expressions Graves created.
To quote the flap, "Little by little, his kindness and brave rescue...prove to the silly chickens that he is really one of them."
For the kid who feels out-of-place or less than socially accepted (And which kid hasn't at some time?) Chicken BIG will be a light-hearted way to put the problem into perspective, I think.
I can see my grand children (the five year old, the eight year old, AND the thirteen year old) laughing themselves silly as they enjoy the outrageous illustrations and goofy antics in this book. It's adolescent humor with a message, folks. Everybody needs to belong.
Oh, how I wish I could do that this well.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned in this post for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
5 comments:
Jean,
This reminds me of a time our younger son said, "I must have been born into the wrong family. You don't like to watch sports on TV." People of all ages could identify with this PB. Thanks for sharing your review.
I think you're mistaken about one thing though...you ARE a professional writer. Thank God for it every day. I understand your comment, but I still think you're mistaken. You've been published before and you will be again. In fact, this and your other blog are proof that you're a professional writer--a very dedicated one at that! I'm honored to know you and I feel blessed by your writing every time I read it. Thank you for being a writer!
Linda A.
Linda,
You are such a dear! I'm glad God brought you into my life.
Blessings,
Jean
Jean:
This sounds like a book that will have a lot of readers, adult as well as children.
Who says you aren't a professional writer?
Love the idea of a book about Chicken Big instead of Chicken Little. The title and cover hook you right away, huh?
OOOOH! I'm jealous, too! I want to be a chronicle book reviewer! This books sounds wonderful, my friend. I can see my kids giggling as we read, too.
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