Chicken Man [Library Binding]

Michelle Edwards (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1991

National Jewish Book Award, Hungry Mind Review Book of Distinction, Children's Book of the Year-Bank Street College

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her first children's book, Edwards draws on her experience living on a kibbutz to create this portrait of a kind, goodnatured man. Known as Chicken Man, kibbutznik Rody is in charge of the chicken coops. His presence makes all the hens and roosters so happy that they are more productive than ever before, and eggs are always plentiful. Chicken Man is quite distressed when the new work list is posted and he is assigned to a different job. But whatever task Rody performs--ironing clothes, tending to the gardens or caring for a houseful of wild children--he does it cheerfully and competently. The chickens in the coop are less adaptable: they miss Chicken Man so much that they stop laying eggs. But all ends happily when the bighearted fellow returns--for good--to his brood. Along with her lighthearted story, Edwards offers an informative look at kibbutz life. Her stylized paintings are dotted with diverting details. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-- Flat cartoon drawings are exactly right to add dimension and humor to this tale based on the author's experiences on an Israeli kibbutz. The summer Rody works in the chicken coop at Kibbutz Hanan, the hens lay more eggs than ever; he is so happy with his job that the other kibbutzniks call him Chicken Man and believe his to be the best job around. But while Rody is cheerful regardless of his assignments in the customary job rotation, the chickens miss him so much they stop laying eggs. All is well after he convinces the work committee to assign him permanently to the coop. Edwards presents a glimpse of life unknown to many American children; an author's note gives additional facts about life on a kibbutz. --Virginia Opocensky, formerly at Lincoln City Libraries, NB
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: Lothrop Lee & Shepard (April 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068809709X
• ISBN-13: 978-0688097097
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,990,625 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Life-long knitter Michelle Edwards is the award winning author/illustrator of over 13 books for children, including CHICKEN MAN winner of National Jewish Book Award. Her illustrations have appeared in several shows of children's book art including the current "Monsters and Miracles", co-organized by the Skirball Cultural Center and the Eric Carle Museum. She is a monthly feature writer for the Lion Brand Yarn Company newsletter. A KNITTER'S HOME COMPANION is her first adult book.

Michelle was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and grew up in Troy, New York. She studied at the Bazalel Art Academy in Jerusalem and earned an MFA in Printmaking from the University of Iowa. She lives with her family in Iowa City, Iowa.
More information is available at her website wwww.michelledwards.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Charming Tale - with a Moral, February 27, 2005

By 

Chava Willig Levy "primerib" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicken Man (Library Binding)

"Chicken Man" weaves a delightful tale about members of an Israeli kibbutz, all of whom wish they could switch jobs with "Chicken Man." Why? Because, no matter what his job assignment, he is always happy.

Everyone - including the reader - learns that Chicken Man's jobs are far from ideal. His attitude, however, always is. And that makes all the difference. My lectures and workshops for kids and adults convey this message, one that we are never too young to learn.

Hats off to Michelle Edwards!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of My Son's Favorite, February 26, 2009

By 

Elaine Eckert "helene" (Issaquah, WA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chicken Man (Hardcover)

We received our first copy through the PJ Library program. It quickly became one of my son's (and mine) favorite books. While I think it is a great introduction to life in the Kibbutzim, my son thinks the chickens are hilarious. Since then, I had purchased several copies for his pre-school.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A positive message enthusiastically recommended to young readers of all backgrounds., April 4, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicken Man (Hardcover)

Imaginatively written and delightfully illustrated by Michelle Edwards, "Chicken Man" is a third edition release of a classic children's tale about a chronically cheerful kibbutz worker in Israel named Rody who became known to all as Chicken Man. Rody sang to the chickens and brought them special vegetable and flower treats. He loved the chickens and they lay extra eggs when he worked with them. In those days, perhaps 30 or more years ago, all the kibbutz workers rotated through the jobs, so that no one stayed assigned on any one job for long. Because Rody is so cheerful and sings happily wherever he works, other workers ask to be assigned to his jobs because he seems to enjoy his work so much. But Rody will always love his chickens the best. So Rody works in the laundry, in the garden, and in Baal-a-gan, the wildest children's cottage in the whole kibbutz! He keeps visiting his chickens when he can, and he notices they do not seem as happy. In fact, they finally stop laying eggs and precipitate a crisis. The result is, Rody is permanently reassigned to care for the chickens, because only Chicken Man can keep the chickens truly happy, and only truly contented chickens will keep producing lots of eggs! Humorous colored illustrations add to the bouncing tale telling of "Chicken Man," a national Jewish Book Awards Winner from the Jewish Book Council that will continue to appeal to children age 6-11 everywhere.