ELINOR AND VIOLET: TWO NAUGHTY CHICKENS AT THE BEACH
by Patti Beling Murphy & illustrated by Patti Beling Murphy
They’re back! Those two mischievous chickens from Elinor and Violet: The Story of Two Naughty Chickens (2001) are reunited when Violet comes to visit her grandmother for the summer. Elinor is easily swayed by Violet’s plucky personality and naughty nature: dying her sister’s clothes purple; picking flower heads for flower soup; buying slingshots; using bad words; burping; and frosting cupcakes with shaving cream. But Elinor balks when Violet wants to go swimming without a grown-up. Trusting in her instinct that it’s not a good idea, Elinor amuses herself on the beach while Violet and a new friend go in by themselves. When they come running out of the water screaming that a sea monster is after them, it’s Elinor who “rescues” Violet from the embarrassing situation—and their friendship. The funny cover sets the tone and the gouache illustrations are perfectly puckish and prankish, cleverly conveying the message of standing up to peer pressure. Kids will chuckle over the pranks as these two friends demonstrate resisting the taunt “Don’t be a chicken!” in an entertaining way. (Picture book. 4-6)