Why the Chicken Crossed the Road (Sandpiper books) [Paperback]

David Macaulay (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Sandpiper books

A rollicking investigation of cause and effect by the Caldecott medalist.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The two-time Caldecott Honor winner is too wise to try to answer that question but ventures to demonstrate the circularity and the humor of the ensuing anomaly. When the chicken crosses the road it triggers a domino effect of events that involve, among others, some cows, an ancient bridge, a passing train, dining-car passengers, an outlaw, a golden watch, melted ice . . . and readers end up at the beginning again; the chicken, first a prime mover, is now merely a consequence. Macaulay's story shows a justified and true belief in the fun, innocence and irony inherent in the turning of the wheel. This, undoubtedly will delight children and confuse adults. His art, for those familiar with Macaulay's highly realistic black-and-white drawings, is this time flushed with color and zaniness, demonstrating a vaudevillian's canny timing with a sensational round of rapid-fire action. All ages.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5 A radical departure from Macaulay's earlier work, this picture book for older readers looks like a Monty Python sketch for children. The cause-and-effect story begins when a chicken crosses a road. A string of impossibly zany events follows, including a cow stampede, a train wreck, the explosion of a bathroom due to a chemistry set experiment, an archaeological coup, and more. Full-color cartoon-style paintings in bold acrylics fill the pages with a chaotic energy which dominates the book. The wild cast of characters and absurd sequence of events, together with the art, give this a manic quality reminiscent of Ungerer's work. This book will be enjoyed by upper elementary school children, who will be able to understand the complicated plot and appreciate the sophisticated humor. Corinne Camarata, Port Washington Public Library, N.Y.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (April 29, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395584116
• ISBN-13: 978-0395584118
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,928,930 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Macaulay is an award-winning author and illustrator whose books have sold millions of copies in the United States alone, and his work has been translated into a dozen languages. Macaulay has garnered numerous awards including the Caldecott Medal and Honor Awards, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the Christopher Award, an American Institute of Architects Medal, and the Washington Post-Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award. In 2006, he was the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, given "to encourage people of outstanding talent to pursue their own creative, intellectual, and professional inclinations." Superb design, magnificent illustrations, and clearly presented information distinguish all of his books. David Macaulay lives with his family in Vermont.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why The Chicken Crossed The Road?, May 23, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Why the Chicken Crossed the Road (Sandpiper books) (Paperback)

This book is about a chicken crossing a road which leads to many events. When the chicken crossed the road it lead to cows moving in a bridge. Then, the cows fall down a train. A robber escapes out of the train. Many more events follow after that. This is really a great book for the young reader to read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why the Chicken Crossed the Road, May 22, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Why the Chicken Crossed the Road (Sandpiper books) (Paperback)

This book is a knee-slapping take off of the classic "Why did the chicken cross the road?" kids joke. David Macaulay's hilarious book gives a behind -the-scenes look at the chain of events leading up to, or occurring as a result of that chicken crossing the road. Although the plot seems to go off on a tangent, the end has a twist that ties the story together. But some how he leaves you thinking,"Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for MANY re-reads, November 4, 2010

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why the Chicken Crossed the Road (Hardcover)

Not only will this grab your kids because of the "why did the chicken cross the road" jokes, but it also has a chicken-or-the-egg mystery to it that compels re-reading.

Lots of tiny details for your sleuths to discover, and a well-told story to listen to over and over again.

Excellent book.