Customer Reviews

Freddie, the Free-Range Chicken

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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

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.

The only good thing about Jill Vitales Freddie, the free-range chicken is the mediocre illustrations. I checked this book out of the library to read to my kids and they lost interest after page 2. I continued to read it myself as I am an english professor and if one of my students handed this in they would no doubt receive a failing grade. I suspect this is one of those deals where someone from a show writes a book with the expectation that the notoriety of the show will help sell the books but I think it turns out to be a waste of paper. Dont waste your money and even worse your time on this dismal attempt at story telling. The plot goes no where, the characters do not develop and the climax and whole point of the story doesn't make sense.

Jill Vitale's "Freddie the Free-Range Chicken" is an endearing addition to any child's bookshelf. It's simple message and fabulous illustrations will quickly become a favorite of children from coast to coast. Turn off the cell phones, put down the video game joysticks, and pull the iPod from your ears, it's time to cuddle up with your heirs and read (and reread) this charming tale of friendship and parental priorities.

For all the bashing of environmentalists and anyone that wants to eat healthily I thought it was odd that Hannitty is making money off of this topic. I don't trust the author (Sean Hannity) especially since his main sponsors are Pharmaceutical and Agricultural companies that make a big profit on giving people toxins and poisons.