HENRIETTA AND COCK-A-DOODLE-DO

A mother hen raises her babies in a Florida restaurant patio in Schiller’s debut picture book, based on a true story.

Henrietta, a black hen, and Cock-a-Doodle-Do, a white rooster, are a mated pair in the tourist town of Ybor City, Florida. The town, says the narrator, long ago became home to various immigrants who “loved their new country, their community and their new lives. They also loved their chickens.” Indeed, the birds are tourist attractions, so residents are careful not to harm them. Henrietta and Cock-a-Doodle-Do scout several locations that aren’t quite right for hatching chicks before settling in at the “World Famous Gaspar’s Grotto, the notorious pirate bar of Ybor City,” a real-life establishment that the author owns. Captain Ehab (a stand-in for Schiller) quickly finds ways to protect the chickens amid weekend crowds, and soon, the eggs hatch three black and three white chicks. This illustrated story has the feel of Robert McCloskey’s classic Make Way for Ducklings (1941) but with more challenging vocabulary and setin a very different part of the United States. Balbás’ realistic, grayscale cartoon images capture the unique setting and the personalities of fowl and humans alike. Overall, Schiller offers a deft celebration of immigrants that highlights respect for others and acceptance of differences.

A slice-of-life tale that showcases a locale with a rich history.