Customer Reviews

Chicken Man

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"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!

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.

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.

I love this book and was so glad to get another copy to share
It was a little bent, but it could have been on this end when it was put into the mailbox

Rody, who lived and worked on an Israeli kibbutz, had such a happy demeanor it proved to be contagious. When he worked in the chicken coop, his cheerful ways and constant singing caused the chickens to lay more eggs. Others on the kibbutz noticed the productive chickens and pleasant atmosphere, so they assumed that tending the chicken coop must be the best job in the work rotation.

Yet Rody had an equally positive attitude and spirited singing repertoire while washing and ironing the laundry, thus making that job appear more desirable to the other kibbutz residents. Although Rody did not seem to mind rotating through the job list, the chickens certainly minded and ceased laying eggs. How would they see their Chicken Man again if everyone else kept taking his job?

Michelle Edwards' beloved tale, reissued in this new edition with an updated note about kibbutz life, makes an excellent vehicle for talking to children about a number of concepts in economics, including jobs, human and natural resources, interdependence, and productivity. Children will gain exposure to some serious lessons while enjoying an amusing story and lively art work.