The Capybaras by Alfredo Soderguit translated by Elisa Amado

 The chickens are content with their mundane lives. Then the capybaras arrive. They are different. Can they be trusted? Until hunting season is over, the chickens agree to allow them to stay. Rules are established. The rules are broken. Then a capybara performs a heroic feat and transforms the chickens' opinions of them.

I liked the dry, subtle humor. The illustrations add to the story. While reading it, I was wondering if the author was trying to express his opinion on immigration. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Scarecrow's Hat written & illustrated by Ken Brown*

 Chicken wants Scarecrow's hat. Scarecrow will swap it for a walking stick. Chicken flutters away in search for a walking stick. Badger owns a "nice walking stick". He would trade it for a  piece of ribbon. . . . Chicken perseveres and interacts with many critters until she is able to fulfill everyone's wishes!

I loved this book! If I see it at a store, I will purchase it!

*Highly recommend

-Borrowed from the library.

The Painter Who Loved Chickens by Olivier Dunrea**

 This story is delightful! The illustrations and words are well-crafted and beautiful. 

A painter loves to paint chickens. No one, however, wants paintings of chickens. Since he needs to survive, he paints what the consumers want-people, poodles, and penguins. As he paints chickens in his free time, he dreams of having enough money to buy a farm and to raise actual chickens. Then a woman walks into his studio. . . .

The illustrations beckon the reader to linger. Around his desk and throughout his house,  the painter has mini chickens and chicken-related decor. Also, on every text page is a illustrations of a specific chicken with its breed identified. 

**Highly, highly recommend, especially for those who love chickens. (I would consider buying it, but it is $70 on Amazon!)

-Borrowed from the library.

The Strange Birds of Flannery O'Connor by Amy Alznauer illustrated by Ping Zhu

 Over the past ten years I have read about Flannery O'Connor in numerous blogs and articles. I have not yet read any of her stories or writings. This biographical picture book heightens my interest in her and her writing.

This book focuses mainly on her creativity as a young child and then her determination to write despite Lupus overtaking her body. The bold, somewhat strange, over-sized illustrations depict Flannery's personality.

-Borrowed from the library.

Love, Ruby Lavender by Deborah Wiles*

Even though the main character, Ruby, is dealing with guilt and deep sadness over her grandfather's death, I still found this book delightful. The character and setting development, the imagery, and the general writing/sentence structure are superb. I wanted to walk the dusty Mississippi roads with Ruby, converse with her grandmother, pick black eye susans with her, and meet her chickens. This book reminds a bit of Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo.

Ruby loves her grandmother Miss Eula who lives next door in the Pink Palace, and is devastated when Miss Eula leaves Halleluia, Mississippi to visit her new granddaughter in Hawaii. Who will protect from spiteful Melba Jane? New friends and new perspectives allow Ruby to mature and forgive. Many letters between Ruby and Miss Eula assist in the story telling.

Warnings/points to discuss: Ruby's grandfather and Melba's father died in a car accident-Melba Jane blames Ruby, a hateful relationship between Ruby and Melba Jane, death, chicks die after Melba Jane throws rocks at Ruby's chickens

*Highly recommend (but see warnings).

-Borrowed from the library.

Nora's Chicks by Patricia MacLachlan illustrated by Kathryn Brown*

 Recently on Read Aloud Revival's summer schedule reveal, I won this book! I was so excited to win this sweet story. RAR's summer focus is on the author Patricia MacLachlan.

Nora misses Russia. The flat, treeless American plain does not compare to hilly, arboreal Russia. It is lonely. Nora longs for a friend. Even a stray dog she finds favors her toddler brother, Milo. Then her father brings home chicks to raise for meat. Nora insists on naming each one and claiming them for her own.

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book.

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake illustrated by Jon Klassen

 Badger has Important Rock Work to complete each day.  Thankfully his aunt Lula has given her brownstone to reside so the Important Rock Work can continue each day.  When she also permits Skunk to stay in the brownstone, Badger is appalled.  Skunk disrupts his work.  He squashes all of the boxes in his box room.  He launches a potato in the kitchen and leaves it sitting in the corner.  He invites chickens into the brownstone.  Skunk must go!

A sweet book that will cause the reader to think about kindness and friendship.

The writing is superb and clever.  The quirkiness of the story and characters is endearing.  It sort of reminds of Kate DiCamillo's unique writing style and characters.

-Borrowed from the library.

Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan by Frances O'Roark Dowell illustrated by Amy June Bates*

My eight year old read this book to himself and then gave it to me to read.
Second grader, Sam, wants to earn $20 a pop like his older sister Annabelle does when she mows the neighborhood's lawns.  When she is too busy to take care of Mrs. Kerner's chickens, Sam volunteers.  When his classmates share special objects for show -n -tell, Sam realizes he is not an expert on anything like they are.  He decides he wants to be a chicken expert.  Now he just needs a chicken!
Perfect series for transitional readers.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Rosie's Walk by Pat Hutchins*

Rosie the hen ventures out of her coop for a walk.  A fox follows her, salivating, but finds himself bombarded with obstacles as he attempts to capture her.
Amusing!
A great book for a beginning reader.
Strategies: predicting, inferring
*Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: F (1st grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 1.5

Thunder-Boomer! by Shutta Crum illustrated by Carol Thompson*

The heat is oppressive at the farm.  Mom declares that they need a "thunder-boomer" to bring reprieve.
When one arrives, everyone dashes to the house for cover.  The narrator's favorite chicken, Maizey, however, is still out in the storm.  When dad rescues her, she seems annoyed.  What is she hiding?  Cute ending.
The title is cleverly designed.
Lots of onomatopoeia words!  A perfect book to share when introducing onomatopoeia words.
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones illustrated by Katie Kath

Through Sophie's letters to her deceased grandmother and great-uncle, the reader learns how she and her parents move to Uncle Jim's ramshackle farm and about her adventures as she discovers very unique chickens sneaking around the property.
Can Sophie learn enough about chickens to take care of them well enough so her parents permit her to keep them?  Why does Mrs. Griegson want Uncle Jim's chickens to the extent she will resort to stealing?
A perfect read for a child obsessed with chickens (or who wants to give raising them a try).
A recipe for migas is included.  Yum!
I liked how the author chose to use the letter format to share the story.
Points to discuss/warnings: Sophie writes to deceased people and one deceased person writes back (a ghost).  A minor (very minor) female character introduces Sophie to her girlfriend (one line in the book).

A Chicken Followed Me Home! by Robin Page

Ms. Page is Steve Jenkins' wife and often collaborates with him on books.
"Questions and Answers about a Familiar Fowl"
This nonfiction book begins with the sentences, "A chicken followed me home.  What do I do now?"
The rest of the book offers valuable information about chickens and how to take care of them.
Perfect for a family beginning the adventure of raising chickens.
*Highly recommend.
Borrowed from the library.
Text features: labels, bold font, headings, diagrams

Little Naomi, Little Chick by Avirama Golan illustrated by Raaya Karas

The reader witnesses Naomi's day at preschool and at home with her family.  Meanwhile the illustrations on the opposite page depict what Little Chick is doing.
Rhyming text.
A good book to introduce comparing two subjects.
Borrowed from the library.

Hank the Cowdog -Let Sleeping Dogs Lie by John R. Erickson

When I taught third grade this series was part of my classroom library.  My students really like them.  I read one and did not care for it.
But, a relative gave this book to our family.  My oldest son is now a third grader.  He read it and liked it a lot!
He said it was exciting.
"Hank's owners accuse him of eating the chickens and lock him up in the jailhouse (an outhouse).  He has to figure out who really is killing the chickens.  He escapes the jailhouse and saves the owner's baby.  The baby had wandered to a big cliff and a cow was charging the baby.  Hank saves the baby."
Guided Reading Level: P (third grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.1
*We own this book.

The Sky is Falling! by Mark Teague

With bold, colorful illustrations and dry humor, Mr. Teague shares his version of Henny Penny.
I did not like the use of the word "dumb" two times.
Strategy: connections (T-T)

The Plot Chickens by Mary Jane Auch illustrated by Herm Auch*

Another poultry parody by this team!
In this story Henrrietta loves books and reading so she decides to write her own story.   This book takes readers through the steps in writing an exciting story and the disappointed an author feels when his/her book is rejected.
Teaching idea:  A perfect book to read to students when explaining the writing process and how to write a well written story.
*Highly recommend.

Hedgie's Surprise by Jan Brett*

Henny is tired of the Tomten stealing her egg each morning for breakfast.  Her friend Hedgie comes up with plans to deter him but when the Tomten threatens to eat Henny, Hedgie must create a mega plan!
We love Jan Brett's books but somehow missed reading this one prior to today.
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: predicting, sequencing, story elements/retelling

Zinnia and Dot by Lisa Campbell Ernst*

What an entertaining story!
Great word choice.  Good book to use when expanding vocab. and context clues.
Zinnia and Dot, two hens who tolerate each other in a small chicken coop, must overcome their vanity and pride to save the one remaining egg after a weasel breaks into the coop.
Strategies/skills: context clues, word choice, character traits, predicting, cause/effect, sequencing
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: L

Extraordinary Warren A Super Chicken by Sarah Dillard*

Warren is tired of peeking and peeping all day.  He wants to extraordinary.  When he meets a crafty rat, he thinks  his problem is solved.
So funny!
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: predicting, sequencing

Prairie Evers by Ellen Airgood*

Prairie moves from North Carolina to New York and the world, as she knows it, disintegrates-her Grammy moves back to N.C. which leads to Prairie having to attend public school for the first time in her life.  Grammy had always been her teacher at home.  This sudden change brings about several good events: chickens and a friend for Prairie.
Well written-captures the emotions of a fifth grade girl well.
Points to discuss/warning:
Prairie's new friend, Ivy, has a difficult home life.  Ivy's mom shot her husband/Ivy's dad in the heat of an argument and he died.  Ivy's mom shows no interest in her and has no problem leaving her daughter to live Prairie and her parents when she finds a new boyfriend.  Very upsetting that a parent could just leave his/her child with another family so quickly.
*Highly recommend.