Freddie, the Free-Range Chicken [Hardcover]

Jill Vitale (Author), Sean Hannity (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 5, 2007 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Here's a warm, real story that will touch the heart of every kid - and adult. Jack lived on a farm with parents who loved him, but were always too busy with chores to play. That gave Jack plenty of opportunities for mischief.until Fredricka the Chicken introduced him to the farm animals' magical world of fun and endless imagination. But can Jack and his new animal friends save "Freddie" from becoming the next-door neighbor's Sunday feast? This beautifully illustrated book, with its uplifting message about love and perseverance, is one kids will turn to again and again.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jill Vitale, aka "Flirty Flipper," spent four years producing Sean Hannity's radio show - the nation's 2nd highest-rated syndicated radio talk program. Her "man-on-the-street" interviews and debates with Hannity have made her a household name. She is married with two children.Sean Hannity hosts The Sean Hannity Show, which reaches 13 million listeners. He also hosts FNC's Hannity & Colmes.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 28 pages
• Publisher: World Ahead Publishing (June 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976726963
• ISBN-13: 978-0976726968
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,682,687 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 Excellent, December 21, 2006

By 

Sam Mutton - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freddie the Free-Range Chicken (Paperback)

I read this book to my kids and they loved it, now I'm going to buy a copy for my niece and nephew. It's just one of those books that you can really smile about, it took me back to when my parents used to read to me when I was a child.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Freddie the Free Range Chicken" will make you Smile!!, March 9, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Freddie the Free-Range Chicken (Hardcover)

If you want to buy a nice gift for yourself, a friend, a special or everyday occasion for a child or family you know -

" Freddie the Free-Range Chicken " is that book.

It's a light, funny and easy to read and follow little story where if you read it out loud and follow the wonderful drawings-- you will even catch yourself smiling and laughing to yourself!

I would think that the author ,Jill, also probly is a very warm parent herself- and I am sure that she wrote it with the thought of sharing some of that warmth with others too as we all like to share smiles - so diffinitely buy this book too as a

" mother/father and child reading book " for your children or for a family close to you! and you will all laugh together!

The world can use some more " Parent/Child " Bonding books these days--and this is one of the few ones out there! With a funny-light hearted early introduction too into starting youngsters thinking about respecting and learning about the Animals on our planet in which we all must live on! and it's not done in any

" preachy " type of way or talked-down type of way to children.

I am surprised it is not also " grouped " with other children readers, maybe because there are so few good ones out there any more that are just " Fun " books!

Chris from New York

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Freddie leaves so much lacking..., March 19, 2009

By 

M.S.S. "ihearterin" (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freddie, the Free-Range Chicken (Hardcover)

I borrowed this book from the library for my three year-old daughter. The premise is that Jack, the son of Farmer Fred and Sweet Lady Jane, is a lonely little boy whose parents are too busy farming to play with him. He befriends Fredericka, the free-range chicken, and they play together. Fredericka, aka Freddie, Sean the bull, and Marty the rooster all speak. When Jack overhears his father telling someone to come get the chickens who are "plump" and ready to go, he pleads with his Dad to keep Freddie. His Dad, somehow seeing the error of their ways, pledges to let Jack help out around the farm. His parents also agree to keep Freddie and Marty and to play games with Jack.

What is lacking? Well, for one thing, why is Ted a "farmer" while his wife is "Sweet Lady Jane"? She does as much around the farm as he does, but she's given a silly name while Ted is a farmer. It just doesn't make sense.

Second, the lead up to the realization by the parents that they need to spend more time with their son is weak. And yes, that is the point of the story. It doesn't make sense to have a young boy's friendship with an animal, a TALKING animal, be the catalyst for the father to realize he needs to spend time with Jack, without an explanation. He never says "Gee, son, you seem to lack human friends. Maybe we need to spend more time with you." Or even "Silly boy, I'm glad you love Feddie, but maybe it's time for you to start helping out around the farm!" The dad merely mentions that they've made a "mistake" and that it's time for them to spend more time together. Weak. A three year-old needs a little more explanation, and I'm sure older kids would appreciate it too.