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Chicken Big
On a teeny little farm, in an itty-bitty coop, a very small hen laid a big, giant egg. And out of this egg came one big, humongous . . . something. "It's big!" clucked the little rooster. "It's enormous!" clucked the small chicken. "It's an elephant!" peeped the smallest chicken. "Run for your lives!" they cried. No matter how they try, these clueless chickens can't make sense of the gigantic new member of their family until he saves the day. With wacky, laugh-out-loud humor and silliness to spare, this BIG twist on the classic Chicken Little story lends a whole new perspective to what it means to be chicken.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2010
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722 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
October 30, 2018
This retelling of "Chicken Little" takes the classic story and gives it a small twist. Here, we get a hysterical chicken who jumps to conclusions about their large friend (thinking he's an elephant, a squirrel, and an umbrella, among other things). Each time, the big chick proves her and the other chickens wrong, and eventually saves them all from a common enemy.
The illustrations are cute and kids will probably like the story. But the e-book edition I read was terrible. Some of the illustrations include text that was part of the story, so it was really important to get the actual text in the right place. This edition didn't do that, which led to a bit of confusion. There were also some lapses in punctuation, which I'm guessing are also an artifact from the conversion process. The book is probably fine in a physical format (so I'm not going to take any points off for that), but it's something to be aware of if you're looking at getting this as an e-book.
The illustrations are cute and kids will probably like the story. But the e-book edition I read was terrible. Some of the illustrations include text that was part of the story, so it was really important to get the actual text in the right place. This edition didn't do that, which led to a bit of confusion. There were also some lapses in punctuation, which I'm guessing are also an artifact from the conversion process. The book is probably fine in a physical format (so I'm not going to take any points off for that), but it's something to be aware of if you're looking at getting this as an e-book.
July 14, 2014
4/49/2011 Cute. I particularly liked the very small and not very bright chicken. ***"Chicken Little" retold in a coop filled with the stupidist chickens ever. Even stupider than actual chickens can be. I hate chickens for anything except food, but I love writers who make me laugh at stupidity.
Library copy.
Library copy.
July 7, 2011
I have author envy. It arises whenever I see a book title like Chicken Big. Of course. How obvious. Take the classic Chicken Little and give it a twist. But it only became obvious after author/illustrator Keith Graves beat me to publication. And, I must admit, his goofy book is more amusing than anything I could have hatched.
The story begins when "a very small hen laid a big, humongous egg". The other chickens don't know what to make of the giant hatchling. The smallest chicken ("not the sharpest beak in the flock") determines that something so big must be an elephant. Then, when it rains and the big chick offers shelter under its wings, the smallest chicken realizes this is no elephant. Clearly it is an umbrella. And the case of mistaken identity continues.
This kind of silliness will entertain young readers (and older ones too). Chicken advocates, take no offense. Do not complain of perpetuating stereotypes. The sky isn't falling. Let the breezy text and zany pictures (with comic speech bubbles) bring a smile to your face and enjoy the chorus of giggles sure to surface during a bedtime or early primary read-aloud session.
Read more of my reviews at http://boyzread.blogspot.com/.
The story begins when "a very small hen laid a big, humongous egg". The other chickens don't know what to make of the giant hatchling. The smallest chicken ("not the sharpest beak in the flock") determines that something so big must be an elephant. Then, when it rains and the big chick offers shelter under its wings, the smallest chicken realizes this is no elephant. Clearly it is an umbrella. And the case of mistaken identity continues.
This kind of silliness will entertain young readers (and older ones too). Chicken advocates, take no offense. Do not complain of perpetuating stereotypes. The sky isn't falling. Let the breezy text and zany pictures (with comic speech bubbles) bring a smile to your face and enjoy the chorus of giggles sure to surface during a bedtime or early primary read-aloud session.
Read more of my reviews at http://boyzread.blogspot.com/.
May 8, 2018
Perfect for first grade as they continue taking care of their chicks!
May 27, 2020
I don't love this, but my older daughter introduced it to my three year old son and he LOVES it and thinks it is SO FUNNY--and it is kind of fun (and fairly easy) to do the voices on.
August 30, 2024
Entertaining book.
January 31, 2026
This is sweet and funny. I have read this to kids and they love it and ask for it again.
January 8, 2018
Sweet. I loved Chicken Big. Not only are the story and illustrations so cute, clearly we now have proof that chickens really are so smart, so kind, so warm, and so brave.
December 26, 2018
Cute take on chicken little, and the ramifications of assumptions. I particularly liked that he must be a sweater.
June 14, 2012
This hilarious spin on the classic Chicken Little story features a band of ditzy chickens who are confused by the presence of a giant chicken who just wants to be part of the gang. When this enormous chicken is born the others aren’t quite sure what to do, but they are fairly sure that it is not a chicken. It’s so big, it must be an elephant! The small and not-so-bright chickens are easily fooled into thinking the sky is falling or leaking, but luckily the large chicken manages to save the day by convincing them that it’s really just an acorn and that it’s just rain. The small chickens still don’t think he’s a chicken, until the day that the humongous chick rescues all the eggs from the hungry fox. Only a chicken could be so smart, kind, warm, and brave!
The illustrations and layout of this book are akin to a graphic novel, with lots of speech bubbles and multiple panels per page. The text is suited for preschoolers and up who are familiar with the original Chicken Little story. The vocabulary introduces several synonyms for the words big and small, such as humongous, large, itty-bitty, and small. Make sure to read the front and back of the cover, as well as the title page for more chicken-y humor.
Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...
The illustrations and layout of this book are akin to a graphic novel, with lots of speech bubbles and multiple panels per page. The text is suited for preschoolers and up who are familiar with the original Chicken Little story. The vocabulary introduces several synonyms for the words big and small, such as humongous, large, itty-bitty, and small. Make sure to read the front and back of the cover, as well as the title page for more chicken-y humor.
Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...
November 1, 2020
When you’re born a little different, sometimes it’s tough to figure out your place in the world. Especially when the other members of your community don’t seem to be the sharpest pencils in the drawer. But family is family, so you just have to do your best and eventually things will work out!
This was one of those books where days later my kiddo would say “Hey, do you remember when that one chicken said…” and then not be able to finish the sentence because he was cracking up. We had a great time reading it, very fun.
This was one of those books where days later my kiddo would say “Hey, do you remember when that one chicken said…” and then not be able to finish the sentence because he was cracking up. We had a great time reading it, very fun.
May 24, 2011
Chicken Big is so big the other chickens (who are not all that bright) think he might be an elephant. But they are confused when he eats an acorn, shelters them from the weather, and keeps them warm. That is not what an elephant does!!! Well what is he?? Will they figure it out?? Funny and clever picture book. Should appeal to parents and younsters. Also a good for an 'opposite' themed story time. Preschoolers.
November 27, 2010
A retelling of Chicken Little with a large hero, Chicken Big, who just wants acceptance from the other chickens. Inset panels and speech bubbles add humor and visual interest.
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May 14, 2017Chicken Big is indescribably huge on laughs.
-Monty K.
-Monty K.
April 3, 2020
Unexpected surprise. My son and I enjoyed this funny book.
February 15, 2017
• Summary: A baby chick hatches but something sets him apart from all of the others; he is much bigger. The other chicks, quickly suspecting he is an intruder elephant, kick him out of the coop and make him stay there. As the chicks face new challenges, the big chick tries his hardest to prove that he is just like everyone else. Unfortunately, each new situation causes the chicks to think that the big chick is just a different animal or object. In the end, the big chick’s heart and bravery prove that he is just like all the other chicks, and they welcome him back into the coop.
• Theme: It is important to promote an environment that includes everyone, despite someone’s differences. Just because someone looks, sounds, or thinks differently, it does not make them weird or an outsider as the chick’s make out the big chick to be during the story. Additionally, it is important to never judge someone based on his or her appearance. The chicks make this mistake in the beginning and kick out the unusually big chick. In the end, his care, bravery, and big heart prove that he is just like everyone else. Physical differences should not dictate how people see someone’s character.
• Rating: 5 stars
• Personal Response: I loved this book; I thought it was hysterical. I was laughing the entire time I read it. Although the big chick is misunderstood, he never gives up and tries time and time again to show the other chicks that he is just like everyone else. This is a great lesson to teach young children who are starting to learn to play in all-inclusive environments.
• Recommendation: I would recommend this book for 3-8 year olds. This stage is a really big time for play and curiosity in younger children. It is important to socialize children with diverse backgrounds at an early age because they can learn so much from one another’s differences. This book is a great way to promote inclusivity and recognizing differences. For the older age group (7-8), this could potentially be used to open up discussion on racism and other divisive social matters.
• Theme: It is important to promote an environment that includes everyone, despite someone’s differences. Just because someone looks, sounds, or thinks differently, it does not make them weird or an outsider as the chick’s make out the big chick to be during the story. Additionally, it is important to never judge someone based on his or her appearance. The chicks make this mistake in the beginning and kick out the unusually big chick. In the end, his care, bravery, and big heart prove that he is just like everyone else. Physical differences should not dictate how people see someone’s character.
• Rating: 5 stars
• Personal Response: I loved this book; I thought it was hysterical. I was laughing the entire time I read it. Although the big chick is misunderstood, he never gives up and tries time and time again to show the other chicks that he is just like everyone else. This is a great lesson to teach young children who are starting to learn to play in all-inclusive environments.
• Recommendation: I would recommend this book for 3-8 year olds. This stage is a really big time for play and curiosity in younger children. It is important to socialize children with diverse backgrounds at an early age because they can learn so much from one another’s differences. This book is a great way to promote inclusivity and recognizing differences. For the older age group (7-8), this could potentially be used to open up discussion on racism and other divisive social matters.
November 30, 2018
On a tiny farm, in a tiny coop a little chicken lays a large egg. When that large egg hatches the chickens aren't even sure if it's a chicken. They decide it's an elephant. But when it eats an acorn they think it's a squirrel. When the "squirrel" protects them from the rain they decide it's not a squirrel, but an umbrella. Then the "umbrella" protects them from the wind so it becomes a sweater!
Through all of this the large chick just wants to be a regular chick. When he spies a fox slipping off with the chickens eggs he goes after him. The fox thinks he's a hippopotamus a runs in fright. He becomes a hero when he returns the missing eggs to their nests.
A very funny story suggested for storytime. My only frustration is when authors use humor that children won't understand. Ex: "She was not the sharpest beak in the flock."
Through all of this the large chick just wants to be a regular chick. When he spies a fox slipping off with the chickens eggs he goes after him. The fox thinks he's a hippopotamus a runs in fright. He becomes a hero when he returns the missing eggs to their nests.
A very funny story suggested for storytime. My only frustration is when authors use humor that children won't understand. Ex: "She was not the sharpest beak in the flock."
October 26, 2017
This book was a gift from our teacher of the year, who is also a Library Media Specialist. Her platform is diversity. I read this aloud to the students, and to me, it seemed like an opposite to the movie "Chicken Little." It was simple, it was sweet. I think it takes a big of time to ponder.
Ask yourself, what if "chicken big" did not exist? Would you understand this if you did not see "Chicken Little?"
Ask yourself, what if "chicken big" did not exist? Would you understand this if you did not see "Chicken Little?"
September 5, 2018
Big Chicken was born in a coop where the other chickens weren't so bright. Because he was so big, that meant that he couldn't possibly be a chicken. But after ruling out a bunch of other animal possibilities, suggested by the dumbest chicken in the coop, they finally decide that he is, in fact, a chicken.
July 9, 2019
A very funny book with some not too smart chickens. Thank goodness Chicken Big has brains to match his size. Love the reference to another chicken who also says “ the sky is falling!”
The colorful illustrations help to tell the story in a great way.
Check out the back cover, there isn’t usually much going on, on the back cover of a picture book but this is pretty humorous.
The colorful illustrations help to tell the story in a great way.
Check out the back cover, there isn’t usually much going on, on the back cover of a picture book but this is pretty humorous.
June 28, 2020
Funny story and illustrations! Such a cute story about some not so smart chickens trying to figure out what the big chicken must be. I enjoyed the humourous sky is falling pattern and the way the big chicken tolerates the silly chickens’ morphing misconceptions. Students will enjoy the speech bubbles, too. The big chicken is different, but accepted and valued.
March 8, 2019
Some really dense chickens (is there any other kind?) attempt to determine into what category this really big, and really useful chicken fits. Is he an umbrella? A sweater? Cute story, with illustrations by the author.
June 18, 2019
This book is full of chuckles. A very big chick hatched from a large egg and the other chickens weren't sure what he was. There is arguing among them as they try to figure him out. Cute and funny story with great illustrations.
September 3, 2019
A cute twist on Chicken Little, although it takes a completely different turn from the original story. Bright, vivid illustrations are fun and the story is decent. This definitely needs voices to make a good read aloud and would be better for kids on the older end.
January 24, 2024
Chicken Big is a charming and silly book that is appropriate for Pre-K through 2nd grade. Children will love the antics of the chickens and the rest of the gang on the farm asking about who Big Chicken really is. The pictures are great and the dialogue between the animals are hilarious.
August 23, 2017
A twist on Chicken Little, mostly focused on otherness. Basically, the large chick isn't accepted until he proves himself as useful so uh yeah.
September 2, 2017
Shared this with my 8th grade students the first day of class to set a climate for inclusivity and understanding of others with differences! Fantastic parody of Chicken Little.
September 26, 2017
Another super fun read aloud for Kinder - 2nd graders - laughter is guaranteed.
October 22, 2017
So cute and entertaining. My class really liked this book. It also has a good message.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews