Medio Pollito/ Half-chick: A Mexican Folktale

by Amanda St. John (Adapter)

The story of Medio Pollito, a chicken born with only half of his body, is one of inspiration and purpose. He travels to find adventure, and with the help of the wind, finds his true calling as a weather vane.

24 pages, Library Binding

First published August 1, 2011

Reviews

[Rocio Horenstein]

Summary: This book talks about a chicken born with only one eye, one wing, and only one leg. This chicken travels to find adventure because it is tired of depending on the mother to help it out all the time. The chicken's mother suggest that the chicken takes the road to where it leads to the governor's palace in the city of Guadalajara. The chicken comes across a river where it asks for the chickens help, because all the rivers long grasses were clogging it up. The chicken hesitated at first because it wasn't use to anyone asking for help but the chicken ignored the river and continued his route. As the chicken continues, it also came across a campfire asking for its help, but the chicken continued its route. At last, the chicken came across a wind where it asked the chicken for help as well. The chicken felt that it should help the wind so it did. The chicken just asked the wind to be patient with it. This is when the chicken finds his true calling as a weather vane thanks to the wind.

Evaluation: I kind of enjoyed reading this book. There are other books I would prefer to read but this book wasn't that bad. It was something different from what I usually read. I feel like this book can be used for children in 2nd-4th grade. I also feel like this book can be kid friendly because it is not that long. I like how this book has a side where it has its reading and a side where it has a picture of what each page is talking about to help the person reading visualize what they are reading.

Lesson: This book could be read aloud to the students in class and talk about how it is important to help out people in need because you never know when you're going to need someone's help. You can also teach a lesson about being different. Even though you may look different, you can do anything your set your mind to.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part a series of short, 24 page, folktales, this one features the Mexican story of Half Chick, perhaps explaining the first weather vane? Spanish phrases are peppered throughout the story, adding an authentic feel.Back matter includes the author's take on the genre of folktales, specific information on this tale, and also a moral to the story, inviting the reader to be helpful.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new folktale for me! I will need to read some other versions to learn more about it.