Souperchicken [Hardcover]

Mary Jane Auch (Author, Illustrator), Herm Auch (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2003 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

When Henrietta becomes the first chicken in her coop to learn how to read, she uses her skills to save her aunties from becoming chicken soup.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-A disappointing addition to Auch's collection of enjoyable stories featuring poultry with high aspirations. In Hen Lake (1995) and Bantam of the Opera (1997, both Holiday), the author successfully teamed a follow-your-dreams message with humorous storytelling, but in this tale about a self-taught hen, she runs afoul of her formula. When egg production is down, Henrietta's aunts think that the farmer is sending them on a well-deserved vacation, but the younger chicken's ability to read the truck's "Souper Soup" logo clues her in to their real destination. On her mission to save her relatives from the soup factory, Henrietta reads labels, maps, and signs, pausing along the way to warn truckloads of pigs and cows of their futures as sausages and hamburgers. After the rescue is complete, the heroine and her flock find refuge with a vegetarian organic farmer. By the end, the story's pro-reading emphasis is overwhelmed by its anti-meat slant, and ceaseless puns only underscore the macabre tone. Even if young readers understand the farmer's tasteless comments ("-she's a cream of a chicken") and the truck driver's replies ("No wonder you're wonton to keep her"), they are more likely to groan than chuckle. Auch's other protagonists were driven by the joy of self-expression; the sole motivation here is survival. The illustrations are colorful and expressive, but aren't enough to lighten the mood. Compared to the author's previous successes, this book simply isn't up to scratch.
Eve Ortega, Cypress Library, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. This latest entry in Auch's popular "poultry parodies" will have educators as well as children applauding its heroine, Henrietta the hen, whose ability to read saves her aunts from becoming the next soup of the day. Henrietta's aunties are going on a wonderful all-expenses-paid vacation--or so they think. But as the truck pulls away, Henrietta notices the sign, "Souper Soup Co." Horrified, she flies into action. She reads the soup company's address from a soup can label at the grocery store, then finds the exact location by reading a map. On her way to free her aunts, she comes across a load of pigs aboard a Saucy Sausage Company truck and some cows headed for the Happy Hamburger Company. After warning the animals about their fate, she implores them to "please learn to read! Reading can save your lives!" The grateful critters get the message, and so will kids. What better messengers than Henrietta and this clever tale, hilariously illustrated in wonderfully expressive, super-silly cartoon pictures. A good choice to celebrate reading during Children's Book Week--or anytime. Lauren Peterson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1 edition (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823417042
• ISBN-13: 978-0823417049
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,726,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reading Material, September 12, 2009

By 

Mike Rodriguez Jr. - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Souperchicken (Paperback)

I bought this book several years ago to read to my students. They all love hearing the story. It's a perfect book to get students interested in reading. It's also a good reader for helping students on comprehension.
The story has several scenarios that demonstrate reasons for the need for learning to read. It is fun and helps keep students stay on track.
I ordered this book in large quantities through Amazon and awarded them as prizes for those who reached reading goals.
I highly recommend this book for teachers and parents who want to help kids get an interest in reading.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Case for Reading, May 27, 2009

By 

Frances Marshall (Rural Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Souperchicken (Hardcover)

Adults can enjoy this story as much as children. The plot centers on a chicken who likes to read more than she likes to lay eggs. Her relatives, who cannot read and consider reading a waste of time, are duped into getting onto the truck bound for the soup factory because they can't read the company sign on the truck's side. Souperchicken, the inveterate reader, to the rescue! While the story is very easy for young readers and listeners to understand, the word-play is clever enough to keep adults interested too.

3.0 out of 5 stars Rehash of "Chicken Run" movie, August 16, 2011

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Souperchicken (Paperback)

This is "Chicken Run" with a vegetarian lecture on the side. Absolutely adorable illustrations make this a bit more palatable (I meant to do that). Emphasizes the importance of learning to read, and of persistence in the face of insurmountable obstacles.