What do you think?
Rate this book
Chicks & Chickens: An Engaging Introduction to Chickens and Their Lives Including Breeds, Egg Laying, Chick Development, and More
Cheep . . . cheep . . . cluck! Everything you ever wanted to know about chickens and eggs—except which came first.
With bright watercolor illustrations and simple, clear language, nonfiction master Gail Gibbons shows young readers everything there is to know about chickens. See what different breeds of chickens look like, discover how eggs are laid and hatched, and learn how big and little farms take care of their birds. Key vocabulary words about chicken behavior and anatomy are introduced throughout Chicks and Chickens , and new words are reinforced in accessible language for young readers.
Chicks and Chickens is a fun introduction to farm fowl featuring colorful diagrams, tons of facts, and a page of chicken trivia. Perfect for curious kids wondering about baby birds, or for learning and talking about where our food comes from.
According to The Washington Post , Gail Gibbons "has taught more preschoolers and early readers about the world than any other children's writer-illustrator." Ms. Gibbons is the author of more than 100 books for young readers, including the bestselling titles From Seed to Plant and Monarch Butterfly . Her many honors include the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award and the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book Award.
With bright watercolor illustrations and simple, clear language, nonfiction master Gail Gibbons shows young readers everything there is to know about chickens. See what different breeds of chickens look like, discover how eggs are laid and hatched, and learn how big and little farms take care of their birds. Key vocabulary words about chicken behavior and anatomy are introduced throughout Chicks and Chickens , and new words are reinforced in accessible language for young readers.
Chicks and Chickens is a fun introduction to farm fowl featuring colorful diagrams, tons of facts, and a page of chicken trivia. Perfect for curious kids wondering about baby birds, or for learning and talking about where our food comes from.
According to The Washington Post , Gail Gibbons "has taught more preschoolers and early readers about the world than any other children's writer-illustrator." Ms. Gibbons is the author of more than 100 books for young readers, including the bestselling titles From Seed to Plant and Monarch Butterfly . Her many honors include the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award and the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book Award.
32 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2003
4 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Gail Gibbons
221 books160 followersFrom gailgibbons.com: I was born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1944. Even as a little child, I was always busy putting books together. Sometimes I would bind them with yarn to hold the pages together. I've always loved drawing and painting. I was also a very curious child. My parents tell me that I was always asking lots and lots of questions.
Later, I went on to the University of Illinois, where I studied graphic design. Then I moved to New York City, where I got a job doing artwork for television shows. Eventually I was asked to do the artwork for a children's show. While doing that show, some of the children asked me if I had ever thought of doing children's books. My mind immediately recalled how much I enjoyed doing that type of thing when I was a child. So I put an idea for a book together and right away a publisher bought it. That book was called Willy and His Wheel Wagon. Since then, over 170 books that I have written and illustrated have been published. The type of books I write are non-fiction books. This is because I love researching so much. I get to ask lots of questions, just like when I was a kid. I also get to travel and meet lots of interesting people. While doing research for my book Nature's Green Umbrella: Tropical Rain Forests, I traveled to two islands where there are tropical rain forests, Saba and Dominica. I also had a great time writing and illustrating the book. I get a lot of pleasure from doing the type of work I do.
Later, I went on to the University of Illinois, where I studied graphic design. Then I moved to New York City, where I got a job doing artwork for television shows. Eventually I was asked to do the artwork for a children's show. While doing that show, some of the children asked me if I had ever thought of doing children's books. My mind immediately recalled how much I enjoyed doing that type of thing when I was a child. So I put an idea for a book together and right away a publisher bought it. That book was called Willy and His Wheel Wagon. Since then, over 170 books that I have written and illustrated have been published. The type of books I write are non-fiction books. This is because I love researching so much. I get to ask lots of questions, just like when I was a kid. I also get to travel and meet lots of interesting people. While doing research for my book Nature's Green Umbrella: Tropical Rain Forests, I traveled to two islands where there are tropical rain forests, Saba and Dominica. I also had a great time writing and illustrating the book. I get a lot of pleasure from doing the type of work I do.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 3, 2024
Was this book written by Prince Charming?
Could have been, with all those CH sounds. Although I don't think of author J. Lou Barnes as being royal.
INCIDENTALLY, WHO IS THIS GAIL GIBBON? THE GOODREADS LISTING APPEARS TO BE WRONG. Far as I can tell, she's not the author. That achievement belongs to J. Lou Barnes.
Anyway, back to the barn. (Without an "es" at the end of the word.)
Young readers can learn so much about chickens. Like what?
How do different breeds of chickens look?
What happens before an egg can be hatched?
Do big farms and little farms have similar ways to take care of their birds?
The enticing text -- so friendly to the sound of CH -- is matched by lovely photographs, engaging and lively.
FIVE STARS for this wonderful early reader. Outstanding!
Could have been, with all those CH sounds. Although I don't think of author J. Lou Barnes as being royal.
INCIDENTALLY, WHO IS THIS GAIL GIBBON? THE GOODREADS LISTING APPEARS TO BE WRONG. Far as I can tell, she's not the author. That achievement belongs to J. Lou Barnes.
Anyway, back to the barn. (Without an "es" at the end of the word.)
Young readers can learn so much about chickens. Like what?
How do different breeds of chickens look?
What happens before an egg can be hatched?
Do big farms and little farms have similar ways to take care of their birds?
The enticing text -- so friendly to the sound of CH -- is matched by lovely photographs, engaging and lively.
FIVE STARS for this wonderful early reader. Outstanding!
October 3, 2025
This is a decent basic look at domestic chickens. There is some jargon used by chicken people, how chickens are raised, chicken facts and a look at a few popular breeds. The book does state that chickens are raised for meat, but doesn't go into any details. There are brief mentions of chicken shows and chickens as pets.
The art is much better than the text. The chickens are done realistically (except when a hen smiles at seeing her chick hatch), but the people are more like cartoons. They all have wide, smiling faces when doing chores. I'm in no way a chicken expert -- but I highly doubt that smiling goes on when doing farm chores.
The art is much better than the text. The chickens are done realistically (except when a hen smiles at seeing her chick hatch), but the people are more like cartoons. They all have wide, smiling faces when doing chores. I'm in no way a chicken expert -- but I highly doubt that smiling goes on when doing farm chores.
August 8, 2018
Wonderfully illustrated non-fiction.
January 11, 2021
my preschooler loved it
February 23, 2021
A good book but spoiled slightly because I think a few of the facts given are incorrect.
April 16, 2012
If you are looking for a book of general information on chickens "Chicks & Chickens" by Gail Gibbons is the perfect book for you. It may not be the most exciting read, but if you are looking for quick and easy information on chickens this book does a wonderful job of displaying just that. In addition to the countless facts about chickens the book is chock full of vibrant, life-life accounts of chickens and their association with man. Also, each illustration is extremely straight forward and easily read. This is perfect when trying to teach children in a classroom setting.
The first aspect of information of the book deals with the chickens themselves. The book begins with a great description of the names of a female, male, and baby chicken. In addition to this, each of them has a diagram which continues to show the subtle differences between a grown adult male and female as well as a chick. It also describes how the chickens lay eggs, and the process involved, along with a great illustration to guide young readers through the process. The book even demonstrates the incubation period of hatch-lings. The second aspect of the book deals with the human involvement with chickens. It begins with the earliest domestication of the chicken and describes how we have come to produce chicken farms to mass produce chickens as well as eggs for human consumption.
The first aspect of information of the book deals with the chickens themselves. The book begins with a great description of the names of a female, male, and baby chicken. In addition to this, each of them has a diagram which continues to show the subtle differences between a grown adult male and female as well as a chick. It also describes how the chickens lay eggs, and the process involved, along with a great illustration to guide young readers through the process. The book even demonstrates the incubation period of hatch-lings. The second aspect of the book deals with the human involvement with chickens. It begins with the earliest domestication of the chicken and describes how we have come to produce chicken farms to mass produce chickens as well as eggs for human consumption.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2014
Williams first book he asked there librarians to find for him. He was so excited. The book was very informative. Discussed mating and fertilized eggs. Be forewarned if you aren't ready to go there yet. (it was over W head, but N was worth us and she might have asked questions).
August 24, 2011
facts pictures lables and information about chickens and their connection to man
December 15, 2012
Gail Gibbons at her best. Easy to read, informative book containing bright, clear pictures. Would be great for kids whose families are getting into the trend of raising chickens.
March 11, 2013
Chickens
Grades: K - 5
Grades: K - 5
Read
September 27, 2013This picture book describes how chickens are raised and for what purposes, as well as how chicks develop in the egg, and how they digest food.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews