Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile [Hardcover]

Won-Ldy Paye (Author), Margaret H. Lippert (Author), Julie Paschkis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Mrs. Chicken has to think fast to outwit hungry Crocodile, who wants to eat her for dinner.

One morning Mrs. Chicken took her bath in a puddle.
“Cluck, cluck,” she said proudly. “What a pretty chicken I am!”

Mrs. Chicken can’t see her wings in the puddle, so she walks down to the river where she can admire all of herself. She doesn’t know that Crocodile is there, waiting for dinner—and a tasty chicken would do nicely! To save herself, Mrs. Chicken tells Crocodile that they are sisters.
But how can a speckled chicken and a green-skinned crocodile be related? Mrs. Chicken had better prove that they are, and fast, because Crocodile is getting hungrier . . .

The authors and illustrator of Head, Body, Legs join together to create another lively retelling of a popular African folktale.

 

Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile is a 2004 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-Narcissistic Mrs. Chicken, not satisfied with the small reflection she can see in a puddle, makes her way to the river where a hungry predator lies in wait. Seeing Crocodile instead of herself in the water, she is amazed by what she thinks is her new appearance and turns this way and that while the wily reptile mirrors her movements. When Mrs. Chicken steps into the river for a closer look, Crocodile quickly catches her and takes her home to eat. But the fowl turns out to be clever enough to concoct an egg-switching scheme that convinces Crocodile that they are sisters, and Mrs. Chicken eventually wins freedom for herself and her offspring. Told in straightforward language, this trickster tale is smart and funny. The story, which comes from the Dan people of Liberia, previously appeared in the retellers' Why Leopard Has Spots (Fulcrum, 1998), and this newly illustrated version is perfect for a younger audience. The stylized, gouache artwork is strong and streamlined, and not bogged down with detail. Curving lines depict the river, white backgrounds represent the outdoors, and glossy black delineates Crocodile's lair, which is decorated with geometric borders. The layout is effective, with parts of the reptile's body often extending off the page to insinuate size. The flat paintings recall folk art, and Crocodile's checkerboard skin reflects the patterns found in her home. This delectable offering will be a hit in storytime.
Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, FL
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

A New York Public Library "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing" title
An Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Medal Winner
A Riverbank Review Book of Distinction
A School Library Journal "Best Book

"Readers young and old will cluck with delight" --Publishers Weekly, starred

"This delectable offering will be a hit at storytime." --School Library Journal, starred

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805070478
• ISBN-13: 978-0805070477
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #309,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful - and educational in a fun way, February 19, 2010

By 

Doug Lipman "Storytelling Coach" (Marshfield, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile (Hardcover)

I have known and admired one of the authors, storyteller and writer Meg Lippert, for many years. So I was delighted to learn of her several collaborations with Liberian storyteller Won-Ldy Paye and illustrator Julie Paschkis.

This Liberian folktale tells how a chicken mistakes the shape of a crocodile submersed in the water for her own reflection; when she gets closer to investigate, the crocodile grabs her and takes her to the crocodile's house to eat her. But the chicken reverses the deception with a trick of her own - and has the last laugh.

This story is a perfect choice for a picture book. The double-trickster tale could feel cold and unsatisfying in the wrong hands. But the bold, cheery and dramatic illustrations do a skillful job of lifting the mood while conveying the sense of an African esthetic.

Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile is a tale with a non-European flavor. As such, it can take some (probably small) adjustment of expectations for a mainstream North American or European audience. But that is also part of its value. This book gives us in the dominant society a small glimpse into a culture different from our own. It does so with wit and artistry. And the under-hen wins!

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful retelling!, September 22, 2007

By 

Mitch Weiss "storyteller" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile (Hardcover)

The storyteller's voice is delightful and compelling and makes this tale perfect for oral telling or read-alouds. The illustrations are a perfect complement to the text and the full effect is even better than the sum of its stellar parts.

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it again!, May 1, 2004

By 

Doc Misty "Doc Misty" (Ypsilanti, Mi United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile (Hardcover)

We just got this book last week. When my kids take turns choosing books to read, this one comes first, regardless of whose turn it is. On the first reading my easily scared 4-year-old sank deeper and deeper into the couch as Mrs. Chicken got closer and closer to being eaten by Crocodile. When she actually SNAPPED on her leg, he couldn't watch. But as Mrs. Chicken's clever plan unfolded he started smiling and by the end he was laughing at what he called the coolest trick ever. He loves it.