BIG CHICKENS FLY THE COOP
by Leslie Helakoski & illustrated by Henry Cole
The feathered flibbertigibbets introduced in Big Chickens (2006) waddle out of the henhouse once again—this time with a hankering to find the farmhouse. Unfortunately, the first “house” they come upon has dogs in it, and chaos ensues: “Drooling muzzles dribbled. Frightened yard birds quibbled. Sharp teeth crashed. Pointed beaks smashed. Snouts snapped. Wings flapped. Until . . .” they run home. Encounters with a tractor and livestock-filled barn produce similar results and hasty retreats. The plucky pullets persevere, though, and catching sight of their goal at last they erupt into giddy, glancing, prancing, tap-dancing celebration. Pairing Margie Palatini–like wordplay to comical cartoon illustrations of plump, bug-eyed fowl egging each other on, this crowd-pleaser begs to be read aloud and will certainly set off gales of giggles. (Picture book. 5-8)