KIRKUS REVIEW
The usual favorite breakfast consisting of “sweet itty-bitty beans and potato bugs” awaits Hen and her three chicks in the garden, guarded this morning by a grumpy and growling dog tied to the tree. Shannon (More True Lies, 2001, etc.) has once again created a short, suspenseful tale with an unpredictable and satisfyingly canny ending. He develops the characters of Hen, her offspring, and Dog succinctly in a text that offers lots of opportunity to dramatize while reading aloud to very young preschoolers. Protective Mother Hen plays the respectable, appropriate role as she holds her chicks back and insists on waiting for the customary chicken feed. The oldest, Big Chick, tries to be a negotiator but fails to make a deal with Dog who continues to bark and jump out even though restricted by his leash. Brazen Middle Chick attempts a more aggressive approach of yelling threats but equally cowers under Dog’s menacing anger. Finally, underestimated Little Chick proves to be the clever one in the brood with her cunning and winning solution that outwits scary Dog and leads her family to the garden. Bold acrylics reflect the action of all the characters with large figures in hues of pale yellows for the chickens and white for the dog against a garden background of bright greens, browns, purples, and blues. Great for group sharing and participation story hour. (Picture book. 2-4)
