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Summary
Summary
"I hear you cluckin', Big Chicken!" That's the simple refrain that Little Chicken repeats to his mama throughout a typical day. But Little Chicken can be distractable . . . and when he wanders off and gets lost, the day becomes anything but typical. With subtlety and humor, this sweet little story sweeps through a wide range emotions using the simplest of language.
From husband and wife team Katie and Jerry Davis, this is a little book with a huge heart. The perfectly minimal illustrations and spare text belie the enormous message at its core: that with family, help is always just a cluck away.
Author Notes
Jerry Davis has devoted his career to producing family entertainment. He produced new musicals at the Goodspeed Opera House and four successful off-Broadway shows. With the renaissance of animated movies, Davis began producing animated feature-length films, and has been involved with many acclaimed films including Pixar's TOY STORY. Davis, a graduate of Vassar College, is a member of the Producers Guild of America.
Katie Davis is the author/illustrator of seven previous picture books, including Who Hops?, and Kindergarten Rocks! (which the Department of Education in Georgia gave to every incoming kindergartner in the state). Her novel, The Curse of Addy McMahon (Greenwillow, 2008), is a Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year. Katie is also a regular guest on Good Morning Ct. (on ABC affiliate WTNH), recommending great books for children.
Reviews (5)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Bold, confident visual storytelling characterizes this story of a parent-child relationship by film producer Jerry Davis and his wife, Katie (Kindergarten Rocks!). The first spread shows Big Chicken's enormous hand pushing the door of Little Chicken's bedroom open. "Rise 'n' shine!" she says to Little Chicken, whose bed is egg-shaped. "Wash your face!" she continues on the spread that shows a huge index finger wagging. "Brush your teeth! Get dressed!" "I hear you cluckin', big chicken," says Little Chicken meekly, dwarfed by its mother. She's got Betty Boop high heels and a handbag-'40s nostalgia-and she drags him out the door: "Follow me!" Despite her nagging, Little Chicken is very glad to see his Mama when he gets distracted by a butterfly and loses her. The text is sparse and the line drawings stripped down; the momentum comes from shots that play with proportion and perspective, and from the warmth and comfort that emanates from Big Chicken's huge body. "I love you, Mama," says Little Chicken, safe in bed, to which she replies, "I hear you cluckin', Little Chicken." Ages 1-4. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
"Wash your face! Brush your teeth! Get dressed!" Big Chicken is in a big hurry. Little Chicken "hears you cluckin', Big Chicken," but it's hard being little in a big, busy world. Minimal text and dynamic, spare illustrations speak volumes as they present this small drama. As Big Chicken races across the pages, clucking commands ("Hold my hand! Stay close!"), only a wing or the back of her bright, red-crowned head is visible -- she's in that much of a rush. In comparison, Little Chicken looks little and powerless, as he (or she?) no doubt feels. When Little Chicken stops to play with a butterfly, the pace slows down, and, for five wordless pages, the story's focus shifts to him. Young listeners, who will sympathize with Little Chicken's plight, will also keenly feel the chick's anxiety the moment he realizes he's lost sight of Big Chicken. And when his mama sweetly sings "Little chiiiiiiiiiiiiicken," his joyful "I hear you cluckin', Big Chicken!" will be music to little ears. Big Chicken finally makes time to follow her chick's lead, and the pictures reflect balance and peace restored. Mama does have the last word, but it's something worth listening to: "I hear you cluckin', Little Chicken." kitty Flynn (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* A little yellow chick with a big round head is awoken from his bed with orders to Wash your face! and Get dressed! And for those directives and every one after, the chick has one answer: I hear you cluckin', Big Chicken. But the little chick has no response when his mother says, Stay close! because he's already wandered off, following a butterfly. After several spirited go-arounds, the chick realizes something. Big Chicken? he asks with a panicked look. Not to worry. His mama has her eyes on him, and, in a delightful illustration, dances him around before taking him home. First it's storytime, then bedtime, then time for one final exchange: I love you, Mama. I hear you cluckin', Little Chicken. With minimal text, simple lines and shapings, and just the right amount of emotional heft, this book is perfect for the age group (and parents will love it, too). Though not a lot goes on, every bit of it is relevant to a child's day, and it's especially engaging when the activities are done by such appealing characters set against expanses of white and saturated pages of blue or green. Utterly simple and utterly adorable.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-This picture book follows Little Chicken through his day from the moment his mother wakes him from his egg-shaped bed until he is tucked in for the night. Big Chicken continually admonishes her youngster: "Rise 'n' shine!" "Wash your face!" "Buckle up!" "Follow me!" And he invariably replies, "I hear you cluckin', Big Chicken." But like any toddler easily distracted, a fluttering butterfly catches his eye long enough for him to lose his mother. The separation is brief and the reunion joyous as the two head home to a story and good-night kisses. Done in bold lines, simple shapes, and bright colors, the chunky poultry are set against unadorned, mainly white backgrounds, keeping the focus right on the characters' expressive faces and dancing limbs. Multiple perspectives move the action along and let readers know that this is indeed a big day for the little peeper. This look at a busy mom and preschooler perfectly echoes a child's experience.-Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
verylarge, handlike wing pushes open the door to reveal sleepy Little Chicken. Then it comes: "Rise 'n' shine!" Ominously, Big (mama) Chicken continues to bellow out exclamatory commands to her tiny chick. The usual parent-given directives are issued at a rapid pace: "Wash your face! Brush your teeth! Get dressed! Finish your food!" Little Chicken looks up and answers, deadpan, "I hear you cluckin', Big Chicken." Off they go, with Little Chicken scampering in untied red sneakers while Big Chicken briskly marches forth in red heels and white handbag with orders to "Follow me!" and "Stay close!" But Little Chicken becomes mesmerized by a teeny purple butterfly and loses track of mama.Even as he begins to quake, Big Chicken appears on the next spread, melodiously clucking her child's name. Once reunited, the pair happily heads home. The Davis team boldly plays with the use of white space (or sometimes blue or green) and strong black lines to propel the visual storytelling. Proportions and angles change as the story progresses to reflect Little Chicken's understanding and appreciation of his mother's watchful words. Be sure to share with willful toddlers and rambunctious preschoolersthey will easily relate to Little Chicken.(Picture book. 1-4)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
