Big Chickens Fly the Coop [Hardcover]

Leslie Helakoski (Author), Henry Cole (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 24, 2008 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

The four big chickens who were afraid of everything in their wellreceived debut, Big Chickens, are now feeling all cooped up, so they set off to find the farmhouse. But where, the hapless hens wonder, is it? First they find a doghouse (loud barking!); then they run into a tractor (ewww, dirty!); and then they stomp into the barn (wild horses!). Who knew the farmhouse was right under their beaks the whole time? Sidesplitting silliness abounds in this second riotously funny read-aloud by Leslie Helakoski, once again illustrated with Henry Cole?s boisterous art.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—The four fowl from Big Chickens (Dutton, 2005) agree that they should always stay home where it's safe "except…we've always wanted to see the farmhouse." As the hens venture out, time and again, they mistake other buildings and equipment for their destination and end up scurrying back to their coop. They almost give up, but then decide that chickens can be loud and dirty and wild. With determination, they make a pell-mell, treacherous dash through the field and arrive, at last, in front of the farmhouse. In a surprise ending, readers see the farmhouse right next to the chicken coop as the birds wonder, "Did someone move our coop?" Each traveling catastrophe is met with clever rhyming vocabulary and the repetition of phrases, all of which move the story forward with just enough predictability to engage young listeners and beginning readers. The dangers of the farm are expressed in the highly emotional reactions of the cartoon chickens and their exaggerated actions. Line, color, and placement all contrast the alternating chaos of exploring the farm with the safety of resting in the coop. A witty addition that is sure to elicit giggles from readers.—Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD
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From Booklist

This rollicking picture book concerns four chickens with a hankering to see the farmhouse. Venturing from their cozy coop, they attempt to find the house but don’t know quite what they’re looking for. They approach the dog house, then the tractor, then the barn; each attempt leads to disaster and a cacophony of hysteria, ending in a retreat to the coop. Little by little, they conquer their fears and finally achieve their goal. Much of the fun comes from Helakoski’s memorable refrain, rhyming words, and rhythmic phrases, some of which trip smoothly off the tongue, while others seem designed to trip it up. The story’s pacing is first-rate, though, and Cole’s illustrations of the googly-eyed chickens’ exploits guarantee that children will get the joke every time. Comical-looking even in repose, the hens are funny in the scenes of panic and pandemonium. A barnyard romp. Preschool-Grade 2. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1 edition (January 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525479155
• ISBN-13: 978-0525479154
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #982,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Leslie Helakoski grew up in south Louisiana. She is the author of Big Chickens (the Michigan Reads Picturebook for 2007, Great Lakes Great Books Award and a GLBA finalist) and Woolbur (a Book Sense pick for 2008, Florida Reading Assoc. Honor Book and nominee for state book awards in 9 states) Her other books include Big Chickens Fly the Coop, The Smushy Bus and most recently she authored and illustrated Fair Cow. See book trailers for her books, Fair Cow and Big Chickens at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RStUVypk4gQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7Ok7haxPWw&feature=related

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We love the big chickens!, November 28, 2008

By 

H. Wall (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Big Chickens Fly the Coop (Hardcover)

We bought the original Big Chickens book a couple of years ago and have had so much fun reading it to our daughter. We were happy to learn that another version of Big Chickens had been written and have found it just as entertaining as the first. Our daughter is now 4 1/2 and she still enjoys the nonsensical chatter of the Big Chickens and listening to their silly adventures. We have read both books more times than I can count.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter loves this book, August 13, 2008

By 

Kristy A. Sketeris - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Big Chickens Fly the Coop (Hardcover)

This is the absolute first book that my daughter would sit still for. And now we've read it a million times or so. :o) The illustrations are vivid and funny, and my daughter really enjoys counting the four chickens on each set of pages. It's also great for having your toddler point out various items pictured.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Highly Recommended Sequel, December 11, 2009

By 

Jamie Farnsworth (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Big Chickens Fly the Coop (Hardcover)

In the sequel to 4 Big Chickens, the 4 chickens want to visit the farm house, but in true chicken form, at least for these 4 chickens, they fumble every attempt with hilarious consequences, and keep returning to the safety of their hen house until they finally decide they are 4 big brave chickens who REALLY want to see the farm house. When they finally discover the farm house, they are overcome with joy, even more so when they discover someone has "moved" their hen house right next door to the farm house so that they can visit any time they want. If you loved the orginal book, you will love this one as well. I still think the first was my favorite, but this one is just as cute. Even the pictures are hilarious. The chickens dressed in clothes, and check out what they use as nesting boxes! Don't miss this hilarious book. And if you haven't read the first, I recommend you get that one too!