Too Many Chickens

by Paulette Bourgeois

A class project goes out of control, turning into a hilarious escapade.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bourgeois graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational therapy from the University of Western Ontario in 1974. She was a psychiatric occupational therapist for three years before deciding to focus on her writing. She studied journalism at Carlton University then worked as a reporter for the Ottawa Citizen and CBC Television. She became a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C. contributing pieces to Chatelaine, Canadian Living, Reader's Digest and Maclean's. She returned to Toronto in 1983.

In 2003, she became a Member of the Order of Canada and in 2007, she received an Honourary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, the University of Western Ontario.

Reviews

[Savannah Oden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book could be very useful to teacher for many different reasons. Too Many Chickens by Paulette Bourgeois is a good example of a book that could be used as a science lesson for an elementary teacher. Used in first or second grade class, this book does a good job of providing illustrations that depict what its like to raise baby chicks. The illustrations in the book are very expressive and show how the students feel raising baby chicks and the chaos that arises with it. The pictures in the book are very colorful and lively and do a good job of interacting with the text and showing exactly what the text was trying to show. The framing throughout the book is the same on every page. There is a thick white frame around every picture that is on the right hand side of every page. The text in the book is on every left side of the page. This book would be good for younger students because the layout of the book is very consistent and the words throughout the book are tier one with some tier two words. This would be useful for expanding students vocabulary and helping them learn their animals and what they look like. This book gives a brief explanation as to what life could be like on a farm which most students may have no idea about. It could be very useful for the teacher as well to use as a segway for a science or animal unit. Or if the teacher is hosting their own baby chicks in the classroom.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why did the farmer become landlord-esque. Class, take care of my 27 animals that I've dumped on you that stunk up your whole classroom and make money off of them then buy a farm for ME to live on? Child labor core.

Also they need to draw more ethnically ambiguous people in children's books

[Deanna Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a good book to begin to teach students about different animals. Students are able to see how animals are used in their everyday life and how other people may use the animals. The end of the story even offers a great segway into plants which could be used during a science lesson. I also really enjoyed this book because the teacher in the book used what was happening in her classroom to teach her stuednts and expanded from there, and did not simply start with the standards she was supposed to teach.

[Christian Padgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good choice to have students learn about different animals as well as what a farmer does. Furthermore, it is a good choice to use when having student think about what is going to happen.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would be good for a farm theme. I think the kids would like the idea of a farm in the classroom!

[Valery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for teaching kids about economics.