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The Buk Buk Buk Festival
Henrietta could not be more eggs-cited! Now that her new picture book is out, she's been invited to a book festival. There is only one problem. Henrietta has not mentioned to either her publisher or the event organizers that she is actually a chicken! The star of Souperchicken and The Plot Chickens is back with more hilarious misadventures in a new poultry parody.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
About the author
Mary Jane Auch
50 books70 followersMary Jane Auch also writes as MJ Auch.
The thought of becoming a writer never occurred to MJ Auch as a child. Her only literary efforts in those days were the plays which she and her girlfriend, Noreen, wrote for their marionettes. They produced these extravaganzas in Noreen’s garage and organized the neighborhood boys into a sales force to sell tickets and refreshments.
Summer visits to both of MJ’s grandmothers led to her fascination with chickens. One grandmother had a small backyard flock and the other grandmother and two bachelor uncles had a large farm that supplied eggs to half of Long Island. MJ learned that a flock of chickens had almost the same range of personalities that could be found in a classroom, from the quiet, shy chicken to the big bully.
MJ loved books and read constantly. She wrote stories, drawn in comic book style with speech balloons for the dialog. Her interest in drawing continued through high school, and she went on to become an art major at Skidmore College. After graduation, MJ headed for New York City to seek fame and fortune, but after a year of designing prints for men's pajamas, she decided she wanted to do something more meaningful with her life. She enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program at Columbia University, which led to some wonderful years of working in a children's hospital near Hartford, Connecticut.
On a brief stop home to visit her parents before transferring to a new job in Denver, she met Herm Auch, a graphic artist and editorial cartoonist for the Rochester newspaper. It was love at first sight, and MJ never made it to Denver. They were married in 1967 and within a few years had produced a daughter, Katrin and a son, Ian. They moved from the city to a small farm, complete with chickens, ducks, and geese. Armed with a huge collection of Mother Earth News and absolutely no practical experience, they tackled farm life with gusto, gaining much comedy material for books MJ’s future books.
As the children grew older, MJ began to look for work in her original field of art. Like Jenna's mother in Mom Is Dating Weird Wayne, she had a brief stint as a “zit zapper” at a school picture factory. Then she started illustrating for Pennywhistle Press, a national children's newspaper, and this sparked her interest in illustrating children’s books.
In the summer of 1984, MJ took a week-long children's writing conference on Cape Cod. She tried to write a picture book manuscript to take to the conference, but instead found herself writing a middle-grade novel. When her instructor, Natalie Babbitt, told of starting out as an artist and finding she could paint better pictures with words, something clicked. MJ finally knew that she wanted to a writer.
She started sending manuscripts to publishers, writing four full-length novels before she sold the first one. Then she sold a second book to another publisher that same week. It had taken two years and thirteen rejections, but MJ had finally reached her goal!mShe continued writing books for older kids and abandoned her dream of illustrating for a while. Then, after nine books, she wrote and illustrated The Easter Egg Farm. This set in motion a series of picture books featuring poultry involved in the arts.
The Auchs have now become a family of artists. Their children are grown and pursuing art careers of their own. Kat, a graphic artist, is now working as Associate Art Director for Scrapbook Answers Magazine in San Francisco. Ian has been a graphic artist and 3-D animator and is now Assistant New Media Editor for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper. Ian is also a metal artist and created the chicken-sized beauty parlor chair for [b:Beauty and the Beaks|1918127|Beaut
The thought of becoming a writer never occurred to MJ Auch as a child. Her only literary efforts in those days were the plays which she and her girlfriend, Noreen, wrote for their marionettes. They produced these extravaganzas in Noreen’s garage and organized the neighborhood boys into a sales force to sell tickets and refreshments.
Summer visits to both of MJ’s grandmothers led to her fascination with chickens. One grandmother had a small backyard flock and the other grandmother and two bachelor uncles had a large farm that supplied eggs to half of Long Island. MJ learned that a flock of chickens had almost the same range of personalities that could be found in a classroom, from the quiet, shy chicken to the big bully.
MJ loved books and read constantly. She wrote stories, drawn in comic book style with speech balloons for the dialog. Her interest in drawing continued through high school, and she went on to become an art major at Skidmore College. After graduation, MJ headed for New York City to seek fame and fortune, but after a year of designing prints for men's pajamas, she decided she wanted to do something more meaningful with her life. She enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program at Columbia University, which led to some wonderful years of working in a children's hospital near Hartford, Connecticut.
On a brief stop home to visit her parents before transferring to a new job in Denver, she met Herm Auch, a graphic artist and editorial cartoonist for the Rochester newspaper. It was love at first sight, and MJ never made it to Denver. They were married in 1967 and within a few years had produced a daughter, Katrin and a son, Ian. They moved from the city to a small farm, complete with chickens, ducks, and geese. Armed with a huge collection of Mother Earth News and absolutely no practical experience, they tackled farm life with gusto, gaining much comedy material for books MJ’s future books.
As the children grew older, MJ began to look for work in her original field of art. Like Jenna's mother in Mom Is Dating Weird Wayne, she had a brief stint as a “zit zapper” at a school picture factory. Then she started illustrating for Pennywhistle Press, a national children's newspaper, and this sparked her interest in illustrating children’s books.
In the summer of 1984, MJ took a week-long children's writing conference on Cape Cod. She tried to write a picture book manuscript to take to the conference, but instead found herself writing a middle-grade novel. When her instructor, Natalie Babbitt, told of starting out as an artist and finding she could paint better pictures with words, something clicked. MJ finally knew that she wanted to a writer.
She started sending manuscripts to publishers, writing four full-length novels before she sold the first one. Then she sold a second book to another publisher that same week. It had taken two years and thirteen rejections, but MJ had finally reached her goal!mShe continued writing books for older kids and abandoned her dream of illustrating for a while. Then, after nine books, she wrote and illustrated The Easter Egg Farm. This set in motion a series of picture books featuring poultry involved in the arts.
The Auchs have now become a family of artists. Their children are grown and pursuing art careers of their own. Kat, a graphic artist, is now working as Associate Art Director for Scrapbook Answers Magazine in San Francisco. Ian has been a graphic artist and 3-D animator and is now Assistant New Media Editor for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper. Ian is also a metal artist and created the chicken-sized beauty parlor chair for [b:Beauty and the Beaks|1918127|Beaut
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 9, 2015
Another book to introduce young readers to the world of...chickens!
I've suggested 'Hen Lake', 'Bantam of the Opera', and 'The Nutquacker' as the perfect introduction to opera...now I have a title to introduce kids to the wonderful world of writing and publishing!
Don't be a chicken...make culture fun for you kids!
I've suggested 'Hen Lake', 'Bantam of the Opera', and 'The Nutquacker' as the perfect introduction to opera...now I have a title to introduce kids to the wonderful world of writing and publishing!
Don't be a chicken...make culture fun for you kids!
January 22, 2020
Henrietta is a chicken (which goes with the name HEN-rietta.) And this chicken is crossing the line to get to the other side...of the writing life! She decides to write the Great American BUK!!! A cute story called CHICK-ERGARTEN, about a peeper who emerges from her eggshell to explore her world. (A novice author writes what they know, and when you're a farm hen, you're automatically the eggs-pert of farm culture). The book is published to rave reviews, and a new Star in CHICK LIT (get it?) is born. Henrietta is invited to a book signing to promote her egg-sistential masterpiece (puns! Dontcha love how I come up with em real fast?),only no one is aware that the squawker behind this amazing bestseller is an actual chicken, so the usual slapstick chase ensues, the type that you expect with stories about chickens. Then the librarian stands up for Henrietta, and reminds people that authors are best when the authors are fowl. Just ask Hemingway. That guy WAS FOWL!!! (OOPS! My bad!) IE: cute story with eleven herbs and spices of fun and frolic!
Four stars
Chicks were born to BOCK!!!
Four stars
Chicks were born to BOCK!!!
July 1, 2023
Here's the premise for a story about a chicken who publishes a very successful picture book:
All five publishers wanted Henrietta's (the chicken's) book. She picked the one called Holiday House because they sounded like friendly people who wouldn't get mad if they discovered tht she was a checken after they published her book.
Calling all Goodreads Authors, do you consider that this quote counts as part of the books "hilarious" adventures, as promoted by the publisher? By all means, comment below.
Actually, all of you readers, whether or not you've ever sought publication. Perhaps you've heard that success with mainstream publishing isn't the easiest thing in the world.
Henrietta proved herself spunky, for sure. More about this I won't divulge, for fear of perpetrating a spoiler.
FIVE STARS
All five publishers wanted Henrietta's (the chicken's) book. She picked the one called Holiday House because they sounded like friendly people who wouldn't get mad if they discovered tht she was a checken after they published her book.
Calling all Goodreads Authors, do you consider that this quote counts as part of the books "hilarious" adventures, as promoted by the publisher? By all means, comment below.
Actually, all of you readers, whether or not you've ever sought publication. Perhaps you've heard that success with mainstream publishing isn't the easiest thing in the world.
Henrietta proved herself spunky, for sure. More about this I won't divulge, for fear of perpetrating a spoiler.
FIVE STARS
April 25, 2020
Henrietta Fowler, a chicken, becomes an author in this adorable picture book. She is a vivacious chicken who visits her public library to find her latest books to read, can speak both "human" and "chicken," and write. "Chicken" plays-on-words are used throughout the text. The writing, publishing, and author promotion processes are illustrated for the younger viewer. Artwork is vibrant and entertaining.
January 29, 2018
Loved this story of Henrietta, a chicken who writes stories and longs to be part of the Children's Book Festival. Her publisher and her neighbourhood librarian are helpful in making her dream come true. The chicken puns were a bit much, even though I love a good pun, but I can see children laughing their heads off at them.
March 16, 2018
Henrietta, the reading chicken, returns, and writes a book about chicken behavior, and not only gets it published, but gets invited to the book festival to sign copies of her best seller. Misunderstandings arise, and Henrietta almost misses out on her big opportunity.
August 3, 2018
An egg-ceptionally groan-inducing book. Prepare yourself for countless egg-citingly original puns.
October 2, 2018
I find I am not super found of authors writing about being authors, even in the guise of chickens. This was a boring book.
The illustrations were weird. Did not like.
The illustrations were weird. Did not like.
March 16, 2017
The story is cute and the illustrations are fantastic, but all the puns are just a little too much.
February 17, 2015
Who doesn't love Mary Jane and Herm Auchs' delightful, puntastic chicken picture books? They are a joy feather or not you find chickens fair or fowl. Harrietta, a chicken, has written a book and gotten it published. Of course the publisher is unaware that the author is poultry. When Henrietta is invited to a book festival, as a visiting author, she is thrilled, but bwacken-hearted when they chase her out as a trespassing chicken. Fortunately the librarian (ever a hero in the eyes of buk-lovers) realizes the mistake that has been made, after Henrietta is forced to explain the problem. All ends well with the chicken-author greeting her fans. This is another delightful beak-in-cheek adventure with hilarious digital illustrations. (Wait, do I RECOGNIZE some of the other authors at the event?) Children will find this hilarious. Adults will catch some of the inside humor. Authors will howl...or is that cluck? All in all, another winner, which is hardly a surprise.
December 17, 2015
In The Buk Buk Buk Festival, Henrietta "Fowler" an author who happens to be a chicken, finally learns that her latest manuscript is approved for publication by 5 publishers! After numerous publisher rejections for previous chicken stories, Henrietta decides not to divulge to them that she is a really a chicken. As the story progresses, publishers, book reviews from "The Corn Book,"and illustrations of authors (who are images of real authors) are all subtly entwined in the story. Full of clever wordplay, Henrietta "Fowler" is afraid when she attends a Book Festival to promote her popular new title Chickergarten, and the shocked Book Festival director tries to capture her. Henrietta's final "egg-scape" occurs with the help of a brave heroine, who of course is a librarian. The sophisticated humor, and clever wordplay will appeal to older elementary readers, but the younger set will enjoy learning about the process of writing and publishing a storybook, from an unlikely source.
March 19, 2015
I know I'm in the minority, but I just don't really like the Henrietta books. Weird, I know! I love to write, and I adore terrible puns - so why don't I LOVE these books?
No idea. Maybe it's because I think the illustrations are straight out of the uncanny valley. Maybe it's because I can never tell how anthropomorphic the chickens are supposed to be. Maybe it's because...I don't know.
At any rate, this book is truly silly, and kids and parents will love it. (Note that it's probably a one-on-one read, rather than a storytime winner.)
No idea. Maybe it's because I think the illustrations are straight out of the uncanny valley. Maybe it's because I can never tell how anthropomorphic the chickens are supposed to be. Maybe it's because...I don't know.
At any rate, this book is truly silly, and kids and parents will love it. (Note that it's probably a one-on-one read, rather than a storytime winner.)
December 2, 2014
I don't want to spoil ALL the jokes and puns, but here's the story. A hen can't get her book published until she submits it as a human; she chooses the publisher Holiday House “because they sounded like friendly people who wouldn’t get mad if they discovered that she was a chicken after they published her book.” Yes I laughed out loud several times during this publishing odyssey which has already received a starred review in Corn Book.
January 28, 2017
Like many of Auch's books, these are filled with many groan-inducing poultry puns. Depending on your mood, this either enhances the story or drives you nuts. This could be a good storytime book for an older crowd - probably too much text for a younger audience. There are a lot of silly details hidden in the pictures too, so fun to be had as a one-on-one read too. I might pull it out for a storytime on books/writing, or on chickens.
February 14, 2016
An amusing story about a chicken who is the author of a book (Chickergarten) and has kept the fact that she is a chicken a secret. As a featured author at a book festival she is forced to reveal her secret. It is a cute story with wonderful illustrations. This is a picture book and I imagine some of the young children will not understand all the puns in the book but they made me smile.
March 17, 2015
I don’t want to ruin all the fun you’ll have reading the puns in this story, but just know that Henrietta is egg-traordinarily proud to be a chicken (and an author)!
http://julianaleewriter.com/books-ali...
http://julianaleewriter.com/books-ali...
August 7, 2015
Cute story that's a sequel to The Plot Chickens. Henrietta is back at it. She's written another book, but this time she doesn't tell the publishers that she is a chicken. This book takes us through the publishing process.
August 16, 2015
Just not my thing. Lots of chicken-puns, lots and lots of words. The story was cute over all: Henrietta wrote a story and had to find a way to reveal herself, a chicken, as the author. Might be fun for kids a little older than K.
September 7, 2015
Eggs-ccedingly funny and eggs-traordinary story bring the book writing and publishing process to our little chicks who may be aspiring authors!
Colorful illustrations, computer-enhanced, making them fun and surrealistic.
Colorful illustrations, computer-enhanced, making them fun and surrealistic.
November 10, 2015
I did laugh at this one, however I think she's trying too hard. So the chicken can write but not speak. Drama ensues when she shows up at her book signing. Not my fav but kids will probably find it hilarious.
February 15, 2015
This is eggs-actly the kind of book librarians love!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2015
Puns abound as chicken tries to publish her story posing as a human, goofy mixed media illustrations.
May 15, 2015
We love Henrietta, and her quick thinking saves her drumsticks!
May 29, 2015
A hoot!
June 9, 2015
Cute story. Reminds me of the Rochester Children's Book Festival held each November (and where the Auch's have presented at)
July 5, 2015
Cute illustrations with paltry poultry puns
July 22, 2015
NYS author/illustrator ~ Rochester area
July 24, 2015
My daughter loves Henrietta!
August 21, 2015
I still love all the Poultry Paradies and there are so many chicken puns that it did make me lol.
This one could be used for budding writers.
This one could be used for budding writers.
Read
April 5, 2016I have no idea how to rate this. I don't think kids will like it. I like some of it (as a librarian, I'm partial to kind librarians in books). It's just kind of a strange concept for a story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews