CHICKEN, CHICKEN, DUCK!
by Nadia Krilanovich and illustrated by Nadia Krilanovich
Who can control six chickens, a goat, a llama, a cow, a dog and a whole host of other barnyard animals? One loud-mouthed duck, that’s who. In a simple chant inspired by “Duck, Duck, Goose,” but more reminiscent of playground jump-rope rhythms, Krilanovich bops along through the farm, naming animals and their corresponding sounds—always ending with a great, big “Quack!” from Duck. "Chicken / Chicken / Duck / Horse / Pig / Cow / neigh neigh / grunt grunt / moo / cluck / QUACK!"—children will be chanting along by the end of the first reading. Textured acrylic brushstrokes set against a stark, white backdrop pulls the focus toward each individual animal as they leap and kick across the page, sometimes perched in precarious positions—the goat poses balletically atop the llama, and it looks as though the sheep is going to climb up there, too. The beady, mischievous eyes of the chickens hint that something silly is going on at the farm. But what? All comes clear in the penultimate spread, which will require that the book be rotated 90 degrees for full appreciation. For the youngest set, a basic introduction to barnyard animals; for emergent readers, a repetition-filled romp; for all, sheer fun. (Picture book. 2-5)