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Pete's Chicken
When the art teacher asks the class to draw chickens, Pete is determined to hand in something special. He sketches a hen that shines with all the colors of the rainbow--but his classmates laugh at his work. Will Pete ever want to pick up his crayons again? "A picture book that celebrates the differences among individuals....Appealing."--School Library Journal.
- GenresChildrens
36 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1994
About the author
Harriet Ziefert
706 books60 followersHarriet Ziefert grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University.
For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.
"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.
For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.
"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 8, 2018
Wonderful story with a message about loving yourself, even if you are different than others.
November 8, 2017
Pete's Chicken / by Harriet Ziefert; pictures by Laura Rader -- New York : Tambourine Books, c1994. (36 pages) RANGE 3 -- PICTURE BOOKS
SUMMARY: Pete draws a special chicken in school using all the colors of the rainbow, but the other kids laugh and the teacher doesn't hang it on the bulletin board. He takes his picture home where he decides that it as unique as he is.
REVIEW: The beginning of the book shows Pete as he tells the reader that he is a person like no other -- "I do things my own special way -- not like anyone else." So when the teacher tasks the class to draw a chicken, Pete's is extra special with every color of the rainbow which everyone makes fun of. Its nice to see that Pete's Mom is very supportive and soon Pete comes to the realization that if he is extra special so is his artwork.
FURTHER FUN: 1) have kids draw a picture of a chicken and see how different each one turns out to be; 2) let the kids make a "ME" page that tells about them to see how different everyone is from each other.
MATCH WITH: MONKEY FACE / by Frank Asch
SUMMARY: Pete draws a special chicken in school using all the colors of the rainbow, but the other kids laugh and the teacher doesn't hang it on the bulletin board. He takes his picture home where he decides that it as unique as he is.
REVIEW: The beginning of the book shows Pete as he tells the reader that he is a person like no other -- "I do things my own special way -- not like anyone else." So when the teacher tasks the class to draw a chicken, Pete's is extra special with every color of the rainbow which everyone makes fun of. Its nice to see that Pete's Mom is very supportive and soon Pete comes to the realization that if he is extra special so is his artwork.
FURTHER FUN: 1) have kids draw a picture of a chicken and see how different each one turns out to be; 2) let the kids make a "ME" page that tells about them to see how different everyone is from each other.
MATCH WITH: MONKEY FACE / by Frank Asch
February 2, 2021
Be yourself!
March 7, 2022
Gift from Harper's grandmother
April 8, 2022
A neat little story about dealing with disappointment and being proud of yourself, no matter what anyone else thinks.
March 6, 2019
Pete Bunny is "one of a kind." When his art teacher asks the class to draw chickens, Pete colors his like a rainbow. The other children laugh and tell him that his chicken looks more like a turkey. The final blow falls when the teacher doesn't choose Pete's picture for the bulletin board. Dejected, Pete takes his picture home and shows it to his mother. She thinks it's beautiful. Later, laying on his bed, Pete decides that his chicken is as unique as he is and that's okay. Pete's chicken finds a special place at home.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
June 7, 2009
this picture book celebrates being an individual and not conforming
January 10, 2014
I think this is a great book for young readers. A very nice storyline and nice plot and shows good sportsmanship amazing
April 21, 2015
I really like this book. It teaches children to be confident; even when others make fun, you can be proud of being different.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews