It's a bird! It's a plane! It's....Chicken Big by Keith Graves

Hi there!

Welcome back to another week here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!

Last week was loads of fun with BBAW 2010 and several other bookish celebrations taking place around the blogosphere, so let's wind back down a teeny bit with some good old fashioned book reviews.  Wait a second, isn't that what we did during the events?  Why yes, yes it is, but this is a book blog after all and you are a lover of books are you not?  So see...it works out perfectly!  Let's start the week off right with a recently released children's book that is sure to bring a smile, a laugh, or at the very least a guffaw to readers of all ages.  Today's book of choice is....

Chicken Big

by

Keith Graves

As the sun rises on a town not so different from your own, we see a quaint little farm beginning to show the first signs of stirring.  Preparing to greet the dawn, we turn our focus to the home of the star of the morning....the chicken coop...for it is here that we may find the rooster making his way to his post to let everyone know....hey, wait a minute.  Where's the rooster...and what in the world is that!?!  It seems that one of the very small chickens at this quite usual farm has laid an egg...and what an egg it is!  Whatever comes out of this ginormous wonder will be something BIG to say the least!  Let's just hope the little chickens can figure out what it is as opposed to what it is not...

In a word....FUN!  Yes, this is one of those picture books where the story and illustrations mesh perfectly, thus my singing of high praises.  A top notch review of this book will be given for many reasons....one of which is that while this is a picture book aimed at audiences approximately 4-8 years old, it can truly be enjoyed by one and all. No, really!  The crazy, fun little chickens and their lack of understanding about the "BIG" disturbance in their family circle provides BIG fun. It reminds me of both Chicken Little and Goldilocks and the Three Bears which on their own are merry, but together provide quite the show. 

The action is expressed through comical quotes and thought bubbles.  You'd think that would be enough wouldn't you?  Nope. The author and illustrator worked hand in hand and provided wonderful illustrations to match the mood of each page. Really, just try not to laugh at the BIG chicken's facial expressions as the story progresses from one crazy fun idea to another...I'll bet you find yourself smiling from start to finish.  How could you not!  The fun inside is even carried over to the outside of the book as the little chickens fear of reaching the end is realized...here, have a peek...



Chicken Big

Recommended reading for kids of all ages!  Though many a message can be pulled from this tale, I'd say acceptance of everyone including their perceived faults or differences is the reigning champ.  After all, how much fun would the world be if we were ALL the same?  Seriously....BORING!  Little ones will have fun with the basic story and fun illustrations, while older readers can appreciate the humor injected into the simplest of phrases and hitched eyebrow drawings. 

Special thanks to Laura Starr at Chronicle Books for the review copy.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this book as well as their catalog of wonderful titles, visit their website, or follow along on Twitter!

Until next time...happy reading!