Big Chickens Fly the Coop (Hardcover)

by Leslie Helakoski (Author), Henry Cole (Illustrator) "FOUR BIG chickens sal on their nests and sighed..." (more)
Key Phrases: one chicken

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2—The four fowl from Big Chickens (Dutton, 2005) agree that they should always stay home where it's safe "except…we've always wanted to see the farmhouse." As the hens venture out, time and again, they mistake other buildings and equipment for their destination and end up scurrying back to their coop. They almost give up, but then decide that chickens can be loud and dirty and wild. With determination, they make a pell-mell, treacherous dash through the field and arrive, at last, in front of the farmhouse. In a surprise ending, readers see the farmhouse right next to the chicken coop as the birds wonder, "Did someone move our coop?" Each traveling catastrophe is met with clever rhyming vocabulary and the repetition of phrases, all of which move the story forward with just enough predictability to engage young listeners and beginning readers. The dangers of the farm are expressed in the highly emotional reactions of the cartoon chickens and their exaggerated actions. Line, color, and placement all contrast the alternating chaos of exploring the farm with the safety of resting in the coop. A witty addition that is sure to elicit giggles from readers.—Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
This rollicking picture book concerns four chickens with a hankering to see the farmhouse. Venturing from their cozy coop, they attempt to find the house but don’t know quite what they’re looking for. They approach the dog house, then the tractor, then the barn; each attempt leads to disaster and a cacophony of hysteria, ending in a retreat to the coop. Little by little, they conquer their fears and finally achieve their goal. Much of the fun comes from Helakoski’s memorable refrain, rhyming words, and rhythmic phrases, some of which trip smoothly off the tongue, while others seem designed to trip it up. The story’s pacing is first-rate, though, and Cole’s illustrations of the googly-eyed chickens’ exploits guarantee that children will get the joke every time. Comical-looking even in repose, the hens are funny in the scenes of panic and pandemonium. A barnyard romp. Preschool-Grade 2. --Carolyn Phelan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (January 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525479155
• ISBN-13: 978-0525479154
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #229,476 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We love the big chickens!, November 28, 2008

By	H. Wall (Georgia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We bought the original Big Chickens book a couple of years ago and have had so much fun reading it to our daughter. We were happy to learn that another version of Big Chickens had been written and have found it just as entertaining as the first. Our daughter is now 4 1/2 and she still enjoys the nonsensical chatter of the Big Chickens and listening to their silly adventures. We have read both books more times than I can count.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter loves this book, August 13, 2008

By	Kristy A. Sketeris - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the absolute first book that my daughter would sit still for. And now we've read it a million times or so. :o) The illustrations are vivid and funny, and my daughter really enjoys counting the four chickens on each set of pages. It's also great for having your toddler point out various items pictured.