Customer Reviews

Lulu the Big Little Chick

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Impeccably crafted and stylishly illustrated, Lulu is the imaginative brainchild of author/illustrator Paulette Bogan. I initially saw her work in the "Chicks and Salsa," in which her illustrations added pizzazz to a zany barnyard caper. Here, Bogan is both author and illustrator, and her spare, straight style is an effective counterpoint to her boldly realized animal portraits, exaggerated just enough to impart character and personality--a signature style for this very talented illustrator.

Young chicken Lulu, tired of hearing that she is too "climb the big fence" or "play in the cornfield," declares that she is leaving home, by herself, to go "far, far, away." Momma Hen calmly bids her chicklet goodbye rather than battling her. One gets the feeling that Mama is wiser than your usual mother hen, and has some experience with youthful cravings (and that human parents could learn a thing or two from her).

Lulu, wearing nothing but a red and black scarf (!) and carrying a small traveling bag, begins her trek to the "far far away." Her first stop is the pig sty, where one mischievous piglet "accidently" splashes her with mud. In a wonderful two-page spread, we see mud-spattered Lulu against a sea of snout-faced swine laying around like a pig mélange. It's unpleasant for Lulu, but very funny for the reader. There are similar unsuccessful encounters with even larger animals: sheep who almost crush her, and a horse and a cow who tell her what she least wants to hear: "You are too little to go far, far away." The cow even laughs at her with a big, bovine "Ha!" At this point, I felt a little sorry for Lulu; there's an air of defeat, as if her dreams were too big for her size. As a cautionary tale, this works, but, rooting as I do for the under-chicken, I wanted Lulu to show them all that she could do it!

Yet, there is a healthy realism, as Lulu realizes she finally is "too, too far away now," and she begins to realize that maybe there was some thought behind Mom's earlier statement (Lulu, you are too little to go far, far away from me"). Lulu, scared and getting more scared with the approaching night see something swoop over head with an unrecognized "CAW" sound. She's is very relieved to find that her mother (who we suspect has been secretly following along--as well as two big-hearted pigs who we see on every page), is right beside that scary (but friendly) crow, and Mom scoops her up in her arms. You can SEE the love in their eyes; even the two pigs who've been following Lulu are all smiles. There's also a heartwarming ending, as tender and touching as you'll find in any great kids' book:

"Momma," said Lulu.
"Yes, my love," sid Momma.
"Momma, next time I go far, far away, I will take you with me."

The latter is said with excitement by the undaunted Lulu, who feels a sort of triumph after the earlier slights and indignities. I was happy for her. Paulette Bogan triumphs as well, with a funny, exciting, and loving book about the duality of adventure and safety, of big and small. In a way, it depends on perspective, and Bogan penultimate illustration reveals that, for all her real fear, Lulu never really traveled out of eyesight of her home--it just felt that way. Ms. Bogan has produced one of my favorite books of the year in this epic tale of small proportions.

Filled with comical illustrations that bring smiles and a story that teaches a valuable lesson there's a lot to like about LULU THE BIG LITTLE CHICK. Author/illustrator Bogan fills pages with bold whimsical illustrations that capture and hold young eyes, such as smiling hens happy in their hen house reading a book and knitting. More farm animals include docile, furry sheep in need of shearing, pudgy pink pigs, and an outsize cow.

Very much like other youngsters Lulu doesn't like being the littlest chick on the farm. She doesn't like being told all the thing she cannot do because she's so small - she cannot lay eggs, she cannot climb the big fence, she cannot play in the cornfield. All of that was difficult for her to take. However when Momma said, "Lulu, you are too little to go very far from me...," Lulu decided that wasn't true and she was going "far, far away."

Little did she know where "far, far away" was or what she might find there. Youngsters will be surprised by her adventures and undoubtedly realize along with Lulu that home is the best place to be.

Highly recommended to remind young ones that they will grow in time and go to other places but meanwhile it's best to stay safe at home.

- Gail Cooke

Little Lulu, a chick, dreams of being big and traveling far, far, away. She leaves the barn and travels by the pig sty and the sheep pen, all the way to the horse and cow pasture. But as Lulu reaches the farthest edge of the farm, she starts to want to be back at the barn with her Momma and the other chicks. Just then, her Momma comes to the rescue, promising to bring Lulu with her the next time she goes far away. Children ages 2-5 will love this story of growing independence.

The exploits of Lulu the little chick continue in this latest by author-illustrator Paulette Bogan. Young Lulu is sick of being small and decides to go far, far, away, even leaving her beloved Momma behind. Momma, in her infinite wisdom, doesn't hold Lulu back, and placidly bids her good-bye:) As Lulu ventures further away from her familiar surroundings, she begins to experience doubts, and much later, all alone, learns a significant life lesson. This tale of a little chick that dreams big is heartwarming, and the vivid illustrations add to the enjoyment of the story. Young children and parents will find this an endearing story - children will learn that it is good to dream big, yet to also be cautious, and parents will appreciate the message that sometimes, letting go can be a a great gift and lesson by itself. Highly recommended for toddlers-preschoolers.

Everywhere Lulu goes the farm animals remind her that she is too small to do anything! She is sick and tired of it. She decides to run away and find a place where she is appreciated. Lulu sets off in to the wide world. After traveling a ways she finds out that he misses her home and her mother and it's ok to be little and taken care of after all. Kids can relate to Lulu. Sometimes they can't wait to grow up and other times they realize how much fun it is just to be a kid!

Two broody hens were reading and knitting when Lulu's Momma was telling her she was just too darn small to go very far without her. Lulu had on her scarf and her dazzling pocket book was by her side. Lulu couldn't lay eggs, climb fences, and she was "too little to play in the cornfield. It may have been true, but she had other plans and claimed, "NO. I am big and I am going far, far away." Yep, that was that and she was going. She picked up her dazzling pocket book and off she went.

Mrs. Pig wanted to know just where that little chicken was headed and Lulu firmly replied, "I am going far, far away." All she got in return was covered in mud and that included her special dazzling pocket book. Next she went to visit the sheep and almost got squished to death. Hmmmmm . . . not far enough away for sure! Momma, who just happened to be slinking along behind Lulu, gave her a little wave and said good-bye again. The horses weren't far away and neither were the clumsy cows. She began to run with her dazzling pocket book and soon she was alone next to a dark wooded forest. Lulu was startled when she heard a frightening sound, "CAW, CAW, CAW!" Had she gone too far this time?

This charmingly delightful story will bring a smile to every parent's face when little Lulu tries to run away from home. Many little ones get upset when they are told they are too little to do this or too little to do that. This hilarious tale will surely resonate with them. Lulu's determination to show everyone, especially her Momma, that she was big enough to go "far, far away" will strike a chord with many a parent who has seen a small packed bag in little hands. I do remember that stage and broke into a wide smile when I saw Lulu's dazzling pocket book by her side. This darling book is perfect for anyone who has that little someone who is too small to go anywhere alone!

Funny, charming and sweet. Lulu is growing up and wants to show herself she's "big". What little one isn't motivated by being like the big kids. Just like in Bogan's other Lulu adventure, Goodnight Lulu, the Mom has super chicken wisdom. Parents will defninitely chuckle. My little ones laughed out loud at the "Oh No! Now what!" of each page turned and they couldn't wait to see the funny faces on the animals again and again.

Lulu is just plain tired of being the smallest chick on the farm. She is constantly being told she is much too little to do anything fun. She's not big enough for laying eggs, playing in the cornfield or climbing the big fence! Fed up, Lulu loudly announces she is big enough to go far, far away from her mama. She packs her pink bag and sets off down the lane.

Lulu finds the pig pen awfully messy, though she can clean herself up with no help from Momma, thank you very much. The sheep pen is terribly crowded ... and it turns out the cow and horse are, gulp, rather large up close. In her haste to escape from those situations, Lulu finds herself smack dab in a dark forest and she's quite alone. She discovers it to be quite scary, even for a big chick like herself.

Just as Lulu is feeling miserable and terrified, she hears a familiar voice. Her momma is there to scoop her up with soft wings and hug her tightly. And Lulu knows home is where she wants to be, safe and sound in her coop. After all, there's plenty of time to be big later. Maybe being big isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sometimes it can be fun to be the little guy and just be loved and taken care of.

This book is Lulu's second book, as she previously starred in Goodnight Lulu. Fans of the first book will be happy to see the format of fresh, bright colors and subtle humor is continued here. I love how one hen is knitting pants with the appropriate dimensions to fit chicken feet, and the pigs cavort on the fence in the background. Children will easily identify with how desperately Lulu wants to be recognized as a big chick, and yet how scary the process can sometimes seem. A tale with a great lesson: Don't be in such a hurry to grow up!

The artist is also the author. I had read Chicks & Salsa with another author but this artist. I read to elementary grades and want them to appreciate dramatic reading as well as inspire them to be artists & authors. They loved this book and so did I.

Our family is so glad Lulu and Momma are back. What a great story about exploring the world around you (but not too far of course). And as usual, the illustrations are amazing and hilarious. My daughter and I like to find the goofy things in the background too. We want more Lulu!