Chiquita's Children: Teaching Children about Foster Families

by Jan Wolff, Cheryl Hanson, Lorraine Dey (Illustrator)

Chiquita, a determined young hen, longs to raise a family of her own. The other barnyard animals look on sadly each day as Farmer Olson carries her eggs away. Then one day, he brings Chiquita a dozen large assorted eggs to hatch. But when her brood is born, foster mother Chiquita, has her hands full she scrabbles to meet each of their unique and individual needs. It is only through a series of mishaps and adventures that Chiquita and her children learn what it really means to be a family.

Chiquita's Teaching Children about Foster Families is the newest addition to the Small Horizons Let's Talk series written by teachers and mental health professionals to teach young children crisis, coping, tolerance and service skills. It facilitates discussion and provides tips about blended families and foster care.

Genres: Childrens

48 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2016

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.

This is a cute book about a hen who really wants to hatch her own chicks. Finally, the farmer realizes how much she wants babies, so he slips some duck eggs under her, which she hatches. At first she doesn't realize they aren't chickens. They're babies that she hatched and they're hers. She's so happy to be a mother. Then she realizes the chicks don't look like her, and they're swimming!

I don't really think this book teaches children about foster families, but I guess I can see it as a learning tool to give a visual for children to understand the topic better. For my kids and myself however, it was just a cute book about a chicken who wanted to have babies of her own.

I would recommend it for children, as both my 4 year old and 9 year old daughters enjoyed the story.

[K.D. McQuain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway. I enjoyed reading this with my son, and he seemed to enjoy it also, especially as we have just gotten six chicks of our own. That being said, the theme of the story, explaining foster families in a way that children can understand, seems to be a little on the subtle side. I can see what the authors were going for, a hen hatches and raises a skein of ducklings as her own, but their difference from the hen was not emphasized enough that my six year old was conscious of it just from reading the story. It did provide a good jumping off point for us to start a conversation on the topic, so whereas I wouldn't lean to heavily on it, it can provide an opening on the topic.

[Maggie Mattmiller · Rating 2 out of 5]

*I won this in a Goodreads giveaway, but that in no way is impacting my review.*

I like what this book was trying to do, but I don't love the execution. I think had the book been simpler, less text, it would have been much more successful. I think this book would lose kids' attention, as they won't connect with the parent wanting kids, laying eggs but not getting to keep them, preparing for the babies to come, not realizing her babies weren't chickens at first...

I think there's just too much. A simple story of wanting babies, taking in eggs that weren't hers, raising duck babies would have been beautiful, and meaningful. This one just had too much for me, and I think for my students.

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a terrific little story, except it was difficult to tell by the illustrations that the "chicks" were actually ducks, until the storm was over and they began swimming. The story of a woman "hen" wanting children but not being able to have them because the farmer takes the eggs, is easy to use with children because we eat eggs in so many foods. We can easily show that some hens may not be able to hatch and raise their own offspring.

Teaching children what makes a foster family was a little hidden. It was much stronger when the entire barnyard came together and expressed their "familiness." But I enjoyed the book and believe that my grandchildren will as well. In addition, it makes a nice change from the "abc" and "shape" books for younger children.

[Duane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win an advanced copy in a Goodreads Giveaway. This book is delightful in it's illustrations and the way it communicates to children how sometimes life gives us things we aren't expecting. I like how the other farm animals care about Chiquita (the main character) and yet let her experience life's trials so she'll grow. By raising eggs of her own, Chiquita quickly learns being a parent isn't all sunshine and roses. After the eggs crack, she soon learns that taking care of those we love includes accepting all for who they are. A great book for children to learn what true love is all about.

[Connie Sahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book through Goodreads. Overall I thought this was a cute book with lovely illustrations. The fostering message was somehow lost a little bit in the story - but the idea of friendship was good. Personally, because I have allergies, I found the odor of the print and ink offensive and I am not sure how many other people it would affect but I have not had the same reaction to other new books.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

I read this aloud to my daughter. We talked about all the animals at the farm as we read though it and it made us miss our chickens. Chiquita is a sweet chicken and a great mother. She discovers that the eggs she hatched were not her own but she loves them anyway. I would recommend it as a read-aloud goodnight book.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute, sweet little book. Easy to read and understand. More to do with diversity and accepting others than foster families. Very cute illustrations.
Overall I really liked the book

Received free through goodreads giveaway

[DW McQuain · Rating 5 out of 5]

It doesn't matter if it's about blood, it's just about family. Chiquita keeps laying eggs but the farmer takes them. One day he brings her some but they are ducks when they come out. It's pretty obvious because they're in a puddle.

[Megan Rang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. It is an adorable children's book about being a mother and a foster parent. It also shows how it often takes a village to raise a child.

[Ruthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

very cute...great way to explain to children!