Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A clutch of 10 chickens escape their coop and enjoy a day on the town in this counting book. The concept begins by counting forward in verse, adding a chicken and an escape-plan element at a time: "One chicken, standing guard./ Two chickens scan the yard," writes Berry. (In the book's punniest moment, Alder renders the birds sitting upon a woolen-hatted sheep as "four chickens on the lamb.") After a successful breakout and a day out--stealing pretzels, ice skating, and attending "Bantam of the Opera"--the chickens attempt to head home for a different kind of "chicken break": a snooze. The story then counts backward from 10, getting more chaotic as different birds take multiple modes of transport home ("Five chickens launch jet packs"). Counting chickens is a well-trod plotline, but very young readers will likely enjoy the fowl free-for-all. Ages 3--5. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--How many chickens does it take to break out of a barnyard? The answer is 10 in this adorable counting book by Berry. The raucous tale is delightfully illustrated by Alder with big, colorful drawings showcasing a variety of lovable chickens that readers will want to pick up and hug. There are hilarious moments of the birds scanning the yard, hatching a plan, and even going "on the lamb"--giving a whole new meaning to the phrase. Once freedom is achieved, they frolic in the big city in a comical spread where they buy pretzels from a street vendor, go on a shopping spree, and even attend a performance of "Bantam of the Opera." Then the countdown begins again as the exhausted birdies try to make their way back to the farm by hailing cabs, taking zip-lines, and even skydiving. After all the excitement, there is nothing left to do but to take another chicken break and collapse in exhaustion. VERDICT Full of wordplay and an extra dose of cuteness, this is a definite first purchase for all children's collections.--Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A counting primer follows the daring escape of 10 chickens from the coop.One chicken holding a twig like a rifle starts the count by "standing guard." Then two vigilant chickens break out binoculars and "scan the yard." "Three chickens hatch the plan. / Four chickens on the lamb." (Quite literally: They are on top of a lamb.) As the text counts up, more and more chickens join, each with an important job to do. When the total finally reaches 10, they squawk and flap their way to an adventure beyond the barnyard. Ten chickens devour soft pretzels, go shopping and ice-skating, and see a show (Bantam of the Opera, of course). After all that excitement, they are exhausted. Counting back down, they head for home. Unfortunately, they can't all fit into a cab, so they must come up with other creative modes of transportation. Berry's snappy rhymes (some brilliantly unexpected: "Five chickens tippy TIPtoe. / Six chickens incognito") match the frenetic energy of the cunning poultry. But it is Alder's boldly outlined cartoon chickens that steal the show. Decked out in caps, roller-skates, and super spy sleuth gear, they each have distinct personalities, which readers can trace through the pages. One uses a skateboard; another rides in a tagalong behind an older chicken's bike.Simple but clever: a good egg. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
