CHICK, CHICK, CHICK, CHICK, CHICKEN!

Julie and younger brother Bob visit Grandpa’s backyard chicken flock.

This is evidently Bob’s first visit with Grandpa’s chickens, and Julie assumes the role of guide, informing Bob about chicken-coop construction, how roosters relate to the flock, and that there are “hundreds of different kinds of chickens.” Grandpa gently narrates the on-and-off excitement of a chick’s hatching. The ever-so-slight plot eases young readers into the book’s informational content. In addition to the facts conveyed by Grandpa and Julie, most pages feature supplemental tidbits presented in a faux hand-lettered type: “The mother doesn’t start sitting on the eggs until she’s laid the last one. Otherwise, they’d all hatch at different times.” The book’s fundamental nonfiction mission is cemented by an index that comes with a thoughtful note as to its use and a reminder to look at both the primary text and accompanying facts. The backmatter also includes an author’s note and a pointer to Barbara Sandri and Francesco Giubbilini’s Chickenology (2021). Regan’s watercolorlike mixed-media illustrations are characterized by quick lines and a bright, gentle palette. Both children have straight, dark hair (Julie’s in pigtails) and brown skin, as does their mother; Grandpa’s thatch of hair and bushy eyebrows are white, and his skin is beige. All are attired in comfy, slouchy clothes that befit the cozy episode.

This introduction to backyard chicken keeping couldn’t be sweeter.