Chicken Talk by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Patricia MacLachlan
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on January 15th 2019
ISBN: 0062398644
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

“Chicken Talk” is a humorous picture book for ages four to eight.  Farmer Otis and his wife Abby love their chickens and their children, Willie and Belle.   One morning they arise to find a note from a chicken scratched into the dirt.  The chickens are becoming demanding and bossy, but no one knows which chicken is the guilty party!  Even, Tripp, the mailman is told that he “drives to fast and that cheerful chickens cross the road.”  Now, the suspect becomes Farmer  Otis, himself.  Tripp is then invited by Otis to “come see for Yourself.”

“Chicken talk is a a fun book to read but is  slightly confusing due to the number of chickens  (there are seven chickens all named Joyce) plus four additional chickens with individual names. It might be a bit difficult too,  for a young child to comprehend  just how Otis and his family  knew for certain that it was chicken “Grace” who did the scrathcing.

The illustrations are nicely done and both the chickens and Farmer Otis and his family are expressive. This book would be fun to use when studing farm animals and farms in general.

Reviewed by Connie Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME