CHICKENOLOGY

From Italy, an illustrated introduction to the wonderful world of chickens.

While it’s not a practical manual for the keeping of chickens, authors Sandri and Giubbilini provide a comprehensive and charming introduction to some of humanity’s feathered friends, complete with 71 fully illustrated pages of all things chicken and egg, courtesy of illustrator Pintonato. The trio takes readers through the 5,000-year history of the chicken-human relationship, the spectrum of breeds alive today, and even the question of “the chicken and the egg.” Beginning with advice for young readers on how to differentiate between (adult) hens and roosters and identify different types and colorations and feathers and a survey of the inner and outer anatomy of a chicken, the book is a cheerful, if not scientific, overview for curious kids. More-advanced readers may find it lacking in certain areas. In one unnerving illustration, various breeds of chicken are placed next to a “three-year-old boy” with the proportions of a grown man—making the Jersey giant seem giant, indeed. And notably, while an entire section on eggs takes readers through the different parts, colors, and sizes, the various ways eggs are used in kitchens around the world are illustrated—but not explained—and different cultures’ approaches to eating chickens for meat are completely absent. There is neither bibliography nor source notes of any kind.

A thorough breakdown of all things chickens—for beginners.