Chicken Chuck [Paperback]

Bill, Jr. Martin (Author), Bernard Martin (Author), Michael Sampson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Chicken Chuck is a Marshall Cavendish publication.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

One of Bill Martin's (Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?) lesser efforts, this incoherent tale features a rooster named Chuck who swallows a blue seed one day and sprouts a blue feather in the middle of his forehead. He proclaims himself the barnyard boss, but soon his flunkies spy a poster of a circus horse with two blue feathers on his head. A fact-finding junket to the circus ensues, with much mayhem when an allergic monkey yanks out Chuck's special plume then sends the animals home with a whole box of blue feathers--one for everyone. Chuck's one-upmanship (he wears two feathers) and his continued search for another blue seed at the book's end, however, muddy whatever message the authors are trying to send. It's even unclear why the animals would want a blue feather in the first place. Martin teams up with his brother, Bernard, for this overwrought story, and his usual wordplay goes missing. First-time illustrator Salerno's mixed media drawings with perkily scrawled outlines give a nod to '50s illustrations, but these are overshadowed by glittering foil overlays and blue type treatment wherever the phrases "blue seed" and "blue feather" appear. The glitzy cover hologram belies a dull tale. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Chicken Chuck ingests a blue seed that causes a glittery blue feather to sprout from his forehead. The other barnyard animals want one, too, but no one else finds a similar seed. Chuck's power trip is sidelined when the circus comes to town and a poster shows a beautiful white horse with two blue feathers. Chicken Chuck storms off to the circus to find him, only to lose his own feather. A monkey reveals the horse's secret and bestows upon Chuck and his friends special tie-on blue feathers. The barnyard becomes "a mass of bobbing feathers," with Chicken Chuck asserting his individuality by wearing two. "He hopes some day he'll find another blue seed-. This is a good read-aloud for children who can appreciate a longer story and who can discuss being different. What really makes this book, however, is the art. The hologramlike cover, with its silver, foil-like background, beckons youngsters. The blue feather is decorated with silver filigree, a leitmotiv repeated to the endpapers. The retro-looking mixed-media illustrations are reminiscent of fanciful 1950s designs. The same page may include dazzling color images along with soft-black charcoal outlines. The former highlight the plot action while the latter accent the pastoral setting. Every page is a whimsical visual treat.
Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Children's Books (January 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761452168
• ISBN-13: 978-0761452164
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 7.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,969,965 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Delight, April 10, 2000

By 

Martin Kozlowski (Connecticut, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicken Chuck (Hardcover)

This whimsical charmer hearkens back to the Golden Age of children's books. The story is simple yet involving with a barnyard-full of engaging characters.

The book really shines in its beautifully-drawn illustrations that recall the best of 40's and 50's picturebooks. Boldly composed double-page spreads, they're elaborate and humorous and delighted my daughter.

This is an unusually well crafted tale and should be snapped up.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very cute book, April 6, 2000

By 

Barry Allen (Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicken Chuck (Hardcover)

This is a very cute story that was a huge hit with my 5 yearold. It is very well told and I will definitely buy more books by BillMartin in the future. it also has a very nice moral, and it isn't preachy at all.

However, I do have to say it is the ugliest childrens book cover I have ever seen- you can barely read the title because it's on shiny reflective paper. The scan really doesn't do it justice.

3.0 out of 5 stars enjoyed by children, November 10, 2006

By 

Elizabeth C. Olliff "Lizardo" (culver city, CA usa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Chicken Chuck (Paperback)

I don't think too much of this book but my class of preschoolers really likes it.