Philadelphia Chickens (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Collaborator)
Key Phrases: dinosaur blues, remarkable cows, most important calls, Pajama Time, Pig Island (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Sandra Boynton, long heralded for her menagerie of animal characters (Moo, Baa, La La La; Rhinoceros Tap), puts a fresh cast of singing, dancing critters center stage-from the titular boogying chickens to a tail-wagging "snuggle puppy"-in Philadelphia Chickens, a book-and-CD package billed as an "imaginary musical revue." The first 32 pages contain lyrics and illustrations, the second half of the book includes musical notation and additional lyrics for each song. An all-star cast, including Meryl Streep, Laura Linney, Eric Stoltz and the Bacon Brothers, headlines the musical recording, which features a variety of original show tunes penned by Boynton and composed by Boynton and frequent collaborator Michael Ford.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Lions and tigers ... and dancing pigs? Welcome to the magical menagerie of author Sandra Boynton." -- People Magazine

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (October 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761126368
• ISBN-13: 978-0761126362
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (154 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,581 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #3 in	Books > Children's Books > Arts & Music > Music > Songbooks
  #9 in	Books > Children's Books > Animals > Farm Animals > Fiction
  #13 in	Books > Entertainment > Music > Songbooks

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very cute!, October 22, 2002

By	Clarissa R. Knight (Savannah, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I think our children and grandchildren will regard Sandra Boynton as we and our parents regard Dr. Seuss. As usual, her stories are adorable. I saw highlights on the today show this morning and had to go buy it today. My daughter's a little young for it (7 months) but her 2 year old friends loved the music. It's a children's CD I like and do not find annoying (such as those by that purple creature).

The book is well done. There is a page for each of the songs with an illustration. There is also sheet music and lyrics for each song in the back of the book.

I'm sure we'll cherish this one for years to come!

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cheers for the Chickens!!, November 26, 2002

By	M. B Hazen "Madge Bruner Hazen" (Jacksonville, Fla.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Before I could listen to the rest of the CD that comes with the song book, imaginatively illustrated and presented, a friend of mine practically snatched out of my hands to hear what I'd been raving about. My introduction to "The Philadelphia Chickens" was on the TODAY SHOW (pre-Christmas 2002). I never heard a word about it after the interview so I surmised that the "Chickens" was tossed on a stack with the myriad of books released for the big holiday rush. Being a musician and a collector of Broadway musical scores, I found this to be a "kiddie" musical. The lyrics are clever and sung with integrity. The sound is big and expansive. All the songs are slightly nutty, but have very plausible messages, like the girl who is too short to reach the chocolate chip cookies, and the ardvaark who think's he should be in the "dancing cow line". So far I've bought three copies. And parents! This won't drive you crazy either. In fact, I bet after the tree comes down and the kids return to school, dad will have that CD in his car for a nice chuckle on the way to work. The piano music and lyrics are part of the boook, "Philadelphia Chickens", with fanciful stories and illustrations. It's intelligent, too!! It will make such a welcome, refreshing gift or just an enduring book and CD designed to bring smiles to all. (Or, except as the author says on the cover, "to everyone except those who are 43!")
And, speaking from a childhood experience, if your little one is home sick in bed, these songs and stories will make a loving get-well tonic.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Marvelous Manic Romp....., November 21, 2002

By	Roz Levine (Virginia) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

It's a dazzling, illustrated book. It's a rollicking musical. It's Sandra Boynton at her very best as she and collaborator, Michael Ford, bring their "imaginary musical revue," Philadelphia Chickens, to life on your stage. Open the book as the curtain goes up, and follow along as you listen to an all-star cast on the accompanying CD. Or meet at the piano to sing and play along, using the words and music in part two of the book. Ms Boynton's clever lyrics are rich in humor and wit, and complemented by her endearing bold, bright and busy, signature animal illustrations. Philadephia Chickens is an exuberant, fun-filled, manic romp that engages and captivates, and "youngsters" from 3 to 93 will revel in all the fun.