What do you think?
Rate this book
Chicken Said, "Cluck!": An Easter And Springtime Book For Kids – A Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book About a Helpful Chicken for Kids (Ages 4-8)
An ALA Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book This hilarious and award-winning beginning reader is filled with simple, repetitive sentences and illustrated with bright artwork depicting Chicken’s funny expressions and poses. Chicken Said, "Cluck!" is sure to make beginning readers ask to enjoy this delightful reading experience again and again. Earl and Pearl are growing pumpkins, and Chicken wants to help. Earl and Pearl dig the garden and plant the seeds, and water and weed...but Chicken only wants to scratch in the dirt. Earl and Pearl don’t want Chicken around, so they shoo her away. But then one day grasshoppers come to the garden, and Chicken proves herself useful. This My First I Can Read Book is perfect for shared reading with toddlers and very young children. Basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations make this book just right for reading with emergent readers.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
8 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
November 17, 2008
Beginning reader
For preschool-2nd grade
Pearl and Earl are trying to grow pumpkins, but Chicken keeps getting in their way - until Chicken proves useful in the garden in this book for emergent readers.
With plenty of repetition and a surprisingly engaging story, this book lives up to the publisher's label of "ideal for sharing with emergent readers." A few challenging words are sprinkled throughout, but many pages are predictable and repetitive, while still carrying the story forwards. The cycle of planting and harvesting pumpkins adds a nice dimension to the story, as does Chicken's ultimate usefulness, despite Pearl and Earl's repeated attempts to "Shoo!" her. The text is large and interspersed with many half-page illustrations and several double-page spreads. Chicken is delightfully insolent as she scratches the dirt and refuses to give up, as the text and illustrations both capture. Good for less-confident beginning readers or as a shared read.
Kirkus points out the "familiar easy-to-decode and sight words," and I concur that it's a "notch better" than many beginning readers. The review captures the sense of fun in the book, and also points out the presence of a boy of color in the story.
For preschool-2nd grade
Pearl and Earl are trying to grow pumpkins, but Chicken keeps getting in their way - until Chicken proves useful in the garden in this book for emergent readers.
With plenty of repetition and a surprisingly engaging story, this book lives up to the publisher's label of "ideal for sharing with emergent readers." A few challenging words are sprinkled throughout, but many pages are predictable and repetitive, while still carrying the story forwards. The cycle of planting and harvesting pumpkins adds a nice dimension to the story, as does Chicken's ultimate usefulness, despite Pearl and Earl's repeated attempts to "Shoo!" her. The text is large and interspersed with many half-page illustrations and several double-page spreads. Chicken is delightfully insolent as she scratches the dirt and refuses to give up, as the text and illustrations both capture. Good for less-confident beginning readers or as a shared read.
Kirkus points out the "familiar easy-to-decode and sight words," and I concur that it's a "notch better" than many beginning readers. The review captures the sense of fun in the book, and also points out the presence of a boy of color in the story.
November 7, 2009
This fun story for the very early reader is the tale of friends Earl and Pearl as they decide to plant and tend pumpkins, and Chicken, who seems to be in their way until she helps to save their crop in a surprising way. The easy-level words, combined with repetition of phrases, help to reinforce vocabulary for the beginning reader; while the funny and easy-to-grasp plot is engaging for this age-group. Children will have fun voicing the growing frustration of Earl and Pearl as well as Chicken, as the plot reaches its climax. Truesdell’s warm, colorful, and comedic illustrations are reminiscent of Quentin Blake, and the expressiveness of both the children and the chicken are sure to keep readers entertained. (Gr. K-2)
December 10, 2023
A surprisingly informative book about the help a good chicken can be in the garden. Tot and I love our chickens. Tot also enjoyed learning about the word "shoo".
April 4, 2015
Colorful and attractive, this book is certainly easy to read. Limited word choices and illustrations move the story along. But as for making sense I have some complaints. The pumpkins seemed to grow overnight - it's not really fall when they are big and ripe. Also, what's with all the scratching? Chickens scratch but there seems to be no context in the story as to why (no link to later action, so it becomes just meaningless gesture.) Also, don't chickens eat grasshoppers? And wouldn't that be a whole lot more effective than just chasing them away for them to come back later?
OK OK, it's a book aimed at getting kids to read. But still, I like a little bit of logic and this book doesn't teach much of anything except how to read about 10 words in an unrealistic setting that could have been done to teach so much more.
This would have been 2 stars, except I really liked the illustrations.
5t
OK OK, it's a book aimed at getting kids to read. But still, I like a little bit of logic and this book doesn't teach much of anything except how to read about 10 words in an unrealistic setting that could have been done to teach so much more.
This would have been 2 stars, except I really liked the illustrations.
5t
January 19, 2009
I rarely review very easy readers because they lack a good story so often. This is the exception. Two children set out to grow pumpkins. They try to shoo the chicken away, but it stays nearby scratching the dirt. The children water and weed and then watch their pumpkins grown, all with the chicken clucking and scratching around them. The chicken is useless until the day the grasshoppers come.
With lots of repeating words to get children started reading on their own, this book manages to have rhythm, a limited vocabulary and a funny story. Truesdell's illustrations are quirky and also fun, adding the lively feel of the book.
Highly recommended as one of only a few early readers with story and style. Appropriate for 3-5 year olds.
With lots of repeating words to get children started reading on their own, this book manages to have rhythm, a limited vocabulary and a funny story. Truesdell's illustrations are quirky and also fun, adding the lively feel of the book.
Highly recommended as one of only a few early readers with story and style. Appropriate for 3-5 year olds.
May 3, 2009
Two children are eager to start a garden, but Chicken keeps interfering. However, Chicken comes to the rescue after grasshoppers threaten to destroy the children's work. This was...OK. The illustrations are darling, and brighten up the rather boring text. I know, this is supposed to be geared for first-time independed readers, and some repitition and limited word choice is necessary. But I've seen this type of book better done, word-wise. For example, do both children have to say "Shoo?" Couldn't Pearl have said "Go Away?"
August 20, 2018
Transitional Literature
Summary:
Earl and Pearl are growing pumpkins. While the two children are planting pumpkins, a chicken comes and scratches in the dirt and says "Cluck!" The students try to shoo the chicken away, but the chicken stays in the yard and watches as the children plant and grow their pumpkins.
Evaluation:
I think that this book would be a great read aloud or book for first graders to begin reading on their own. I really enjoyed reading this book, the illustrations paired with the story assist in creating a visual of what is going on in the story so I would rate it as a 4 out 5. The use of different dialogue also engages the readers and makes them wonder what is going to happen next. I loved the use of sound words and onomatopoeia such as "Cluck" and "shoo."
Activity:
Since Grant uses onomatopoeia such as "shoo" and "cluck" in her writing, I believe that this would be a great way for teachers to begin to show students figurative language at a young age. The students would begin to learn about different ways that they can enhance stories and how authors engage their readers by adding in different figurative language. The teacher can first explain that onomatopoeia is when authors use noise words to show action, then the teacher can explain how the author used "cluck" as an onomatopoeia.
Summary:
Earl and Pearl are growing pumpkins. While the two children are planting pumpkins, a chicken comes and scratches in the dirt and says "Cluck!" The students try to shoo the chicken away, but the chicken stays in the yard and watches as the children plant and grow their pumpkins.
Evaluation:
I think that this book would be a great read aloud or book for first graders to begin reading on their own. I really enjoyed reading this book, the illustrations paired with the story assist in creating a visual of what is going on in the story so I would rate it as a 4 out 5. The use of different dialogue also engages the readers and makes them wonder what is going to happen next. I loved the use of sound words and onomatopoeia such as "Cluck" and "shoo."
Activity:
Since Grant uses onomatopoeia such as "shoo" and "cluck" in her writing, I believe that this would be a great way for teachers to begin to show students figurative language at a young age. The students would begin to learn about different ways that they can enhance stories and how authors engage their readers by adding in different figurative language. The teacher can first explain that onomatopoeia is when authors use noise words to show action, then the teacher can explain how the author used "cluck" as an onomatopoeia.
Read
October 30, 2019What a perfect story for new readers! Chicken Said, “Cluck!” by Judyann Grant, tells the story of Earl and Pearl who decide to grow a pumpkin. In the process of planting the pumpkin seeds and building a garden, a Chicken comes along and wants to help. The only thing Chicken wants to do is scratch the dirt, and she becomes in the way of Earl and Pearl’s hard work. Earl and Pearl constantly tell her to “Shoo! Shoo!” One day, grasshoppers start to nibble on the pumpkins. To scare them away, the chicken says “Cluck!” Chicken saves the day after the grasshoppers jump away! In the end, Earl gives Chicken one pumpkin, and Pearl gives chicken two pumpkins. This is such a fun and humorous story for new and early readers. With the large and bold font, simple sentences, and half page illustrations, this book is easy to read. There are also several repetitive sentences, such as “Shoo!” and “Cluck! Cluck!” which are great for interacting with the reader and building vocabulary. The watercolor illustrations in this book are wonderful! They are large, colorful, detailed, and exciting. They give helpful hints to the reader as well. Overall, I think this book would be perfect for ages 3-6.
October 30, 2019
This book by Judyann Ackerman Grant is a sweet story about two children and a chicken who are all working in the garden growing pumpkins. At first, the children believe the chicken is going to harm the pumpkins, so they try to shew her off. One day, grasshoppers come into the garden and begin to eat the pumpkins! The children try to get rid of them, but they just will not leave. Chicken comes to the rescue! The chicken clucks and scares off the grasshoppers. Of course, after saving the pumpkins the children love the chicken! They cheer her on and allow her in the garden every day after. The illustrations of the books are very fitting to the style and formatting of the text. They elicit soft feelings of acceptance and kindness through their bright colors and soft edges. The text itself is true to the "easy read" description, and I believe lends way to being a very versatile book. I could see several students reading this book in K-2 for beginning reader's purposes. It repeats several words and allows for the reader to focus more on words they may not have seen before. In conclusion, this story was very appropriate for its cause and will have its place in my classroom!
September 7, 2017
Summary: A beginning reader in which two kids decide to plant pumpkins. Earl and Pearl shoo a chicken out of their pumpkin patch repeatedly until they find themselves with a grasshopper infestation. The chicken helps them out by shooing the grasshoppers away. Chicken is rewarded with pumpkin gifts from the children.
Evaluation: Although the book lacks a true introduction to the setting or characters, the ending of the story is satisfying. The story has conflict and resolution. I wondered at the beginning of the story why the children kept shooing the chicken away. An introduction to the problem would have solved that mystery.
Teaching Idea: This book would make a good guided reading book. There are some words which may be challenging for beginning readers to decode on their own. However, there is a high rate of repetition of these words so once the decoding has been learned, the book should be an easy read for emergent readers.
October 21, 2017
Chicken Said “Cluck!” by Judyann Ackerman Grant is an odd book about a chicken who just scratches at the dirt while his two human friends are growing pumpkins and by the end he himself is given the pumpkins. The text itself is bolded and easy to see but the words are not the easiest ones for a 3-5 year old to see and recognize; this is the age listed in the front of the book. The illustrations, by Sue Truesdell, do an excellent job of helping guide the story so that even if the child could not fully understand the words, they would be able to piece together the story and connect the plot points. This book was a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book, meaning it was one of the most distinguished beginning readers books the year that it was published. I personally do not see the merit in this novel and I would not recommend it. I feel as if there are probably better books out there for beginning readers that would help teach them more useful sight words that they will see more frequently. Children would probably enjoy it but it is not something I would use in my classroom.
October 24, 2018
“Chicken said, ‘Cluck!’” is an adorable story that would be perfect for first graders that are just starting to read. The watercolor illustrations and the simplistic text make it perfect for a beginning reader. As well, the text has a rhythm that makes it easier. Earl always does or says something once and Pearl says it twice. The repetition of the storyline and the large text on the pages make for a fun independent reading choice.
The story is also enticing in that Earl and Pearl are annoyed with the chicken at first because the chicken starts to peck at the pumpkin patch they are making. When a grasshopper invasion occurs at the pumpkin patch, Earl and Pearl are incapable of getting rid of them. The chicken “clucks” and the grasshoppers are frightened and leave the pumpkin patch. Earl and Pearl give him pumpkins as a reward – Earl giving one and Pearl giving two, of course – and the chicken is happy as he pecks at the dirt. This witty and fun spirited story would be a perfect addition on the bookshelf of my future classroom.
The story is also enticing in that Earl and Pearl are annoyed with the chicken at first because the chicken starts to peck at the pumpkin patch they are making. When a grasshopper invasion occurs at the pumpkin patch, Earl and Pearl are incapable of getting rid of them. The chicken “clucks” and the grasshoppers are frightened and leave the pumpkin patch. Earl and Pearl give him pumpkins as a reward – Earl giving one and Pearl giving two, of course – and the chicken is happy as he pecks at the dirt. This witty and fun spirited story would be a perfect addition on the bookshelf of my future classroom.
November 6, 2019
Earl and Pearl decided they wanted to grow Pumpkins, Earl one and Pearl two pumpkins. Chicken scratched the dirt as they performed each of their tasks and when shoed away Chicken said cluck cluck back. This continues on until the grasshoppers come to where the pumpkins are growing. The grasshoppers jumped up on the pumpkins and nibbled on the pumpkins despite being shooed away. Finally, the chicken clucked the grasshoppers away and was useful in keeping the pumpkins. They awarded him with their pumpkins and chicken scratched the dirt in happiness. This book is simple and uses repetition for beginner readers to comprehend. With illustrations fit for an easy reader book this book is best fit for a 5-6-year-old. Using it in the classroom to teach about repetition and how it is used to tell a story.
September 11, 2017
This emergent reader book is an excellent addition to your classroom or home library. The story includes the main characters Earl and Pearl and their attempt to plant and grow pumpkins. A third main character, Chicken, initially annoys the characters but eventually proves helpful to the friends. It provides clear, short, direct sentences for young readers to decode and enhance their reading skills. The illustrations provide helpful hints to aid readers as they read and the book has an easy-to-read format. In the classroom, teachers could use this book in a unit where they discuss what plants need to grow. Teachers would let students draw a picture or write a sentence about how the characters used one of these elements in the story.
October 24, 2018
Looking for a fun and comical book for your child who is beginning to read? This book if for you! This read is simple enough for young children to be able to successfully read. With many repeated words ad phrases, it boosts the child' confidence in reading as well. Many lines rhyme, making the read more enjoyable. The pictures that break up the words are very entertaining, and help the readers understand what is going on. There are few words per page, and all of which are large and easy for the eyes to see. I would recommend this book for children in kindergarten to first grade reading levels, in order to enhance their reading ability and confidence in reading!
November 13, 2018
Summary:
This is a story about how two children are planting seeds and shooing away a chicken. The chicken will scratch at the dirt and say "Cluck! Cluck!".
Evaluation:
This is a perfect book for a beginning reader. Many of the words and phrases are repetitive throughout the story. This will allow students to become familiar with the words by the end of the story. Additionally, there are many sight words in the story that students are familiar with.
Teaching idea:
I would use this book to help students practice their sight words. I would send this home in their read pouch to practice with their families.
This is a story about how two children are planting seeds and shooing away a chicken. The chicken will scratch at the dirt and say "Cluck! Cluck!".
Evaluation:
This is a perfect book for a beginning reader. Many of the words and phrases are repetitive throughout the story. This will allow students to become familiar with the words by the end of the story. Additionally, there are many sight words in the story that students are familiar with.
Teaching idea:
I would use this book to help students practice their sight words. I would send this home in their read pouch to practice with their families.
November 21, 2019
Summary:
Chicken wants to help so badly to plant pumpkins, but he keeps getting in the way. Then, grasshoppers come into the garden, and Chicken may be the only one that can save the patch.
Evaluation:
This is a well-written book for beginning readers. It has a lot of written sounds in it which really adds to the story. It provides great phonics practice for students.
Teaching Idea:
This is a great beginning reader's book. Students could practice it multiple times-like maybe every night for homework. Then, they could read it aloud to the class at the end of the week. It would also be good to read to kindergartners and have them say the sounds the different animals make.
Chicken wants to help so badly to plant pumpkins, but he keeps getting in the way. Then, grasshoppers come into the garden, and Chicken may be the only one that can save the patch.
Evaluation:
This is a well-written book for beginning readers. It has a lot of written sounds in it which really adds to the story. It provides great phonics practice for students.
Teaching Idea:
This is a great beginning reader's book. Students could practice it multiple times-like maybe every night for homework. Then, they could read it aloud to the class at the end of the week. It would also be good to read to kindergartners and have them say the sounds the different animals make.
November 3, 2021
Chicken Said "Cluck!" by Judyann Ackermann Grant and illustrated by Sue Truesdell follows Earl and Pearl planting pumpkins. Unfortunately though, Chicken keeps getting in their way! Though the kids are annoyed by the Chicken, he proves to be useful once the grasshoppers come! He scares them away from their growing pumpkins!
This fun book would be perfect for pre-K students as it is easy to read and has a simple plot. The repetitive dialogue is engaging and fun for kids. Additionally, the images are colorful and engages the readers. They include silly pictures that will keep the children engaged until the grasshoppers are gone!
This fun book would be perfect for pre-K students as it is easy to read and has a simple plot. The repetitive dialogue is engaging and fun for kids. Additionally, the images are colorful and engages the readers. They include silly pictures that will keep the children engaged until the grasshoppers are gone!
January 29, 2022
Simple, but fun story. Earl and Pearl plant pumpkins and keep trying to shoo Chicken away, until Chicken's clucks save their garden from grasshoppers.
I ordered this one because Lily's Grammy loves to garden and has backyard chickens.
There's not much to this story, but there are some funny details--Earl always does things once and Pearl twice (saying "Shoo!" or "Hooray!" and giving chicken pumpkins). Chicken is very chicken-like, scratching the dirt in response to most things.
The illustrations are cartoonish and colorful. Love the grasshoppers nibbling on the garden with their sharp little jaws.
I ordered this one because Lily's Grammy loves to garden and has backyard chickens.
There's not much to this story, but there are some funny details--Earl always does things once and Pearl twice (saying "Shoo!" or "Hooray!" and giving chicken pumpkins). Chicken is very chicken-like, scratching the dirt in response to most things.
The illustrations are cartoonish and colorful. Love the grasshoppers nibbling on the garden with their sharp little jaws.
March 23, 2022
This book is a great example of a easy to read book and I remember reading books a lot like this when I started reading. This book does a good job of using simple vocab words and also repeating words to make it easier for young children to read. I think this would be a great book to help build students confidences when reading and would be fantastic for a class library for younger elementary. The illustrations are simple and go with what is being read this would be a great tool for students to use context clue to figure out words they may not know. Overall this is a great beginner book but is anything super special.
October 25, 2017
This book combines great illustrations with large text so students should be able to follow along very easily follow. Like many other books of this genre, students will also be able to predict what will happen next in the plot easily. The large text goes a long way in the book accomplishing its goal. The book is funny and gave me a couple laughs along the way even as an adult. The simple, repetitive sentences make the book a joy to read. Paired with the bright illustrations, every kid would enjoy this book.
October 16, 2018
This is an easy and fun read for any age between 3-6. This is the story about two boys are trying to plant a garden, but a chicken keeps getting in their way. Throughout this story, the author provides a lot of rhyming and repetition which is beneficial for the younger age group. The chicken proves itself useful in the garden, and the boys are very happy about it! The chicken ended up helping them rather than harming them. This is a great book for a younger child/student to read by themselves.
March 3, 2021
The first thing I noticed and enjoyed was the numerical progression of what the children and chicken said. First, one shoo, then two shoos, then three clucks. I also think this would be a great book for kindergarteners or first graders to be able to read themselves. The wording is very simple and they should be able to read it with minimal help. The illustration was also very cute there was not too much going on so that the students would not be too distracted when trying to read the book.
February 9, 2019
I think this is a great "My first, I can read!" book. The pictures told the story well with all the different colors. This book will be very helpful to children who are just beginning to read. It is a humorous story, with the repeated words,"shoo, shoo" and "cluck, cluck", to keep the children entertained while they read. They also get to learn more about phonics with this story.
Read
November 11, 2019Throughout this book two kids Earl and Pearl are tending a garden to grow pumpkins but the chicken keeps scratching the dirt. Chicken continues to get in the way until he proves himself useful. A fun book that you can ask many questions while reading to the class to keep them engaged. I would use this book with K-2.
February 5, 2020
My children absolutely adore this book. Reading literature is so important to the development of a child's mind, and I cannot think of thing I would rather do then sit down to read to them in the evenings. Imagination and growth are so vital in those so young.
September 29, 2022
Another library book selected by kiddo (I love that library day is her fave day of the week). She was much happier with this choice. Good repetition and subtle humor made her want to read it. Nice that the vocabulary was so different from other "I Can Read" books we've read.
February 12, 2025
• 2009 Geisel Honor Book •
Repetitive text to reinforce words and phrases, yet still entertaining and easy enough for younger readers to understand. Illustrations are lively and warm!
Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted
Repetitive text to reinforce words and phrases, yet still entertaining and easy enough for younger readers to understand. Illustrations are lively and warm!
Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted
March 22, 2025
I agree with Katt Hansen, below. The story just doesn't make sense. Yes, of course chicken should eat the grasshoppers. And the other stuff Katt says bothers me. And also chicken is given the pumpkins?
September 12, 2017
The predictability and repetition in this book, along with a cute story, and engaging illustrations, make this book a great choice for early readers!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews