Penguin Australia
- August 2026
- ISBN: 9781761344497
- Imprint: Puffin
- RRP: $24.99
For those of us with fluffbutts – and I am currently in my 4th round of keeping the beaky little beggars [Henny & Penny, d’uccle Belgian bantams – reputedly docile breed – hah!] this sweet and gentle book has special resonance. But even kiddos who don’t know the delight of keeping chickens will love this story of the inquisitive chicken coming inside to have a look around.
I loved it because it so strongly reminded me of the last time I had chickens, about 15 years ago – Daisy, Henrietta and Black Betty – and The Kid, then known as Small, had taken out some scraps for them and was followed back inside by a curious Henrietta. Naturally, she found it highly amusing that a chicken would come inside a house – just as the small person in this story recognises that this is not the usual thing!
Of course, as she’s already strutting around intent on her own investigations, she might as well have the full guided tour. It is ridiculously cute and made me smile hugely. How refreshing to have another picture book that is just simply pure joy!
Sonya’s text is simple and understated enough to carry a wealth of meaning without using words. The chicken fell out of the wardrobe. ‘Let’s go! I hissed. ‘You’ve had enough!’ completely cracked me up – it is exactly what K would have said. Lucia Masciullo’s illustrations are always wonderful and these are just gorgeous. And, it being me, the endpapers with the entire flock of hens are a delight in themselves.
This is probably one of my favourite picture books of the year, aside from the fact that this is the year of having chickens again, but purely because it is so satisfying in all aspects. It’s a clucky 5 🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔rating from me for Smalls from toddlers up to around Year 3.
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