Chickens to the Rescue [Hardcover]

John Himmelman (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: October 3, 2006 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 480L (What's this?)

Meet the most heroic chickens in town!

 

On Monday, Farmer Greenstalk dropped his watch down the well. . . .
On Tuesday, Mrs. Greenstalk was too tired to make dinner. . . .

 

Who will help the poor Greenstalk family? Chickens to the rescue! The amazing chickens on the Greenstalk farm race to help various family members and farm animals every day of the week. Every day until Sunday, that is, when Emily Greenstalk has a little trouble . . .

 

John Himmelman's expressive illustrations are filled with the kind of hilarious details that will delight young readers.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 2–At the Greenstalk Farm, it's no problem if the sheep get lost, the farmer drops his watch down the well, the dog eats young Jeffrey's book report, the cow gets stuck in a tree, the duck steals the truck, or Mrs. Greenstalk is too tired to cook. It's Chickens to the rescue! Unless it's Sunday when they get some hard-earned rest and the pigs step in to help out. This rollicking story, made up of simple statements in a specific pattern, follows the fowls' heroics Monday through Sunday. The simplicity of the text allows the sheer brilliance of the colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations to shine through. The details in each rescue scene will have everyone laughing and noting the expressions of the animals, their crazy but appropriate outfits, and their amazing abilities. Pair this hilarious story with Doreen Cronin's Click, Clack, Moo (S & S, 2000) and David Shannon's Duck on a Bike (Scholastic, 2002) for a lively storytime about extraordinary farm animals.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

OK, it's a one-joke book, but in Himmelman's presentation, the joke gets funnier each time you turn the page. On Monday, Farmer Greenstalk drops his watch down the well . . . "Chickens to the rescue!" The two-page spread features a flock in a flurry. They're wearing bathing caps, or flippers, or goggles. They're flying into each other and diving down in the well. "Those are some chickens," the farmer says as he holds his wet watch. Each family member gets chicken aid. When Mom's too tired to cook dinner, the chickens don chef's hats, flip bacon, stir soup, brandish knives, and generally stir up the kitchen. After the chickens help the humans, they move on to the animals, rescuing the duck, who drives off with the farmer's car, and herding the sheep, who are running amok. The fun here comes from all the frenzy in the pictures, and it will take kids more than one look to see all the silliness. They'll enjoy that second and third glance. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (October 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805079513
• ISBN-13: 978-0805079517
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 10.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,976 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Where We Live > Farm Life
  • #90 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Farm Animals

More About the Author

John Himmelman is the author and illustrator of more than sixty books for children, including "Chickens to the Rescue". He lives in Connecticut with his family.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I envision this book being read to a rousing rendition of Yakkety Sax October 17, 2006

By E. R. Bird HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

If I were to label my favorite kind of picture book out there, I might feel myself strongly inclined towards something I call Barnyard Frivolity. These are the picture books that take place on an "ordinary" farm and involve all kinds of good-natured looniness. For example, one of my favorite books this year was the upbeat and mighty fun, Manny's Cows: The Niagra Falls Tale by Suzy Becker. This book held a special place in my heart until my pretty little head was turned by the incredibly amusing chicken book I hold in my hands in at this time. I don't know how effective you personally feel that a flock of chickens would be in an emergency, but when it comes to benign fowl-inspired lunacy, I think "Chickens To the Rescue" trumps them all. This is perhaps THE greatest poultry book dreamed by mankind.

On a two page spread sit the deceivingly simple words: "On Monday, Farmer Greenstalk dropped his watch down the well". Poor, Farmer Greenstalk. There he stands, staring mournfully down into a great deep well, a look of sad resignation on his face. The average reader probably wouldn't pay too much attention to the chicken standing on the far left page. Its wing planted firmly where its ear would be, the chicken obviously understands the man's distress. Why do I say that? Because when we turn the page we are bombarded with thirty-one swimsuit-wearing, snorkel-sporting, deepsea-diving chickens under the words, "Chickens to the rescue!". Turn the page and the wet but satisfied birds are walking off while Farmer Greenstalk holds in his hands a damp watch. "Those are some chickens!". Indeed. That was just Monday, though. On Tuesday Mrs. Greenstalk was too tired to make dinner. "Chickens to the rescue!". A scurring flock take over the kitchen, whipping up various concoctions.... Yes, whether it's helping son Jeffrey with his homework, stopping an errant duck from driving off with the farmer's truck, or lugging lost sheep back into their pen (my favorite image of the lot), these chickens have each and every situation under control. On Sunday, however, daughter Emily spills her breakfast everywhere and there's not a chicken to be seen. After a quick investigation the family sees that they're taking a well-deserved rest in their coop after all the week's excitement. The pigs on the other hand...

By and large, author/illustrator John Himmelman is an animal man. He's done plenty of non-fiction titles on everything from ladybugs to frogs. As of this writing his top selling book (according to Amazon) was something called Discovering Moths: Nighttime Jewels In Your Own Backyard. What seems to set Himmelman apart from the vast non-fiction writing pack (and here I'm relying heavily on customer reviews) is his humor. By all accounts, Himmelman is a funny guy. A funny guy that has been given a chance to bring us a true labor of love. Now since Himmelman is such an animal advocate, I'm assuming that that is why his chickens look as realistic as they do. Yes, they're wearing helmets, aprons, scuba equipment, etc. But they also look like chickens. Size-appropriate, remarkably helpful chickens. It's obvious from the outset, by the way, that verbal humor is not Himmelman's sole strength. He works enough visual gags and tiny amusing details into this book as to allow your average child-reader hours and hours of fun "I Spy" moments. I may have mentioned that my favorite image from this book is when the chickens rescue the sheep from a nearby woodland. Well let me tell you that there are few sights finer in this world than that of small determined chickens lugging enormous wooly sheep over their heads. Some of the birds even go so far as to lift the sheep into the air, causing one ewe to pretend to be a superhero, hooves held straight out in front. Also, in each rescue sequence there is always at least one chicken flying upside down. The variety of their postures and poses, even when removing a cow from a tree, is to be commended.

I don't want to tell you how to live your life, but I would like to give you a bit of advice on purchasing this book. If you could somehow manage to buy both, Chickens To the Rescue and the incredibly funny, Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road (featuring such artists as Mo Willems, Marla Frazee, Jerry Pinkney, and others), you would instantly be the coolest gift purchaser in the world. I am not kidding. Together, these fowl-related works of literature make up some of the funniest, enjoyable, and inventive books of this or any other year. Chickens To the Rescue is now my favorite fowl book of all time. A must-read for anyone with a sense of humor. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute book! January 17, 2007

By Gretchen Montgomery

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Bought this book for my three-year old nephew...we loved the simple story and predictable text. Very age appropriate. The adorable illustrations add more to the story and make the book enjoyable by book or chicken lovers of all ages. I highly recommend this picture book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very cute - be sure to ham it up! July 28, 2008

By Ulyyf

Format:Hardcover

There's not that much to this story. It's very short (and so very appropriate for little-little ones or squeezed-in storytimes!), detailing the misadventures of a farm family all week, and their rescues by the chickens.

The illustrations are hysterical, with the chickens frantically holding up yield signs to stop duck from stealing the truck, with them putting out a trampoline to save cow, with them scolding the dog for eating Jeffrey's homework.

Eventually, they sleep right through a rescue - but they've earned it.

It's very funny, especially if you're sure to yell every time you get to the tagline - CHICKENS! TO! THE RESCUUUUUUUUUUUE!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars some funny chickens January 24, 2007

A Kid's Review

Format:Hardcover

this is why I think Chickens to the rescue should of won the Caldecot medal...

this book is very funny how the chickens go to the rescue and save the day!

each time they go to the rescue its always funny!

you will never get tired of it and it also shows great details in every part of the book

I wouls recamend it for 2+ and it is such a good book

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Family Favorite January 4, 2011

By J. Lynch

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a fabulous book. We checked it out from the local library and after several times of having it checked out decided to add it to our home library. The kids love it and so do we as parents. It is funny, well written, and nicely illustrated. The kids still request it and we have been reading it for a couple years now. Excellent for both our 2 year old and 5 year old. Short enough to keep the younger one's attention and interesting enough to not bore the older one. I definitely recommend this one!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very satisfied December 28, 2008

By L. P. Schrank

Format:Hardcover

Had this book before for my kids, now want it for my grandson. It came in fine shape, but the cover was on upside down. I sent a letter explaining the problem, and a new one was sent to me. I am new to Amazon, and so far, like doing business with them.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars heroic chickens January 29, 2007

A Kid's Review

Format:Hardcover

I think chickens to the rescue should have won because it was funny and was fun to read about chickens saveing the day. i think 2+ could read this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars FUN & LAUGHABLE May 22, 2013

By Donna Q. Tam

Format:Hardcover

This is one of the best books I have read. I read books to my granddaughter and she is 1 year old. Even though this book is for children about 3-5 years old, this holds her attention because of the illustrations. Every other page says, "Chickens to the rescue," which she can repeat. Wonderful and Amusing!