The Chicken Who Couldn’t

Having received no ribbons at the fair, Chicken’s confidence has already taken a hit when his cage tumbles off the back of the truck carrying him back to the farm. Given heightened anxiety and a self-doubt hair trigger (now uncaged, he plummets to the ground the minute someone says, “I didn’t think chickens could fly!”), it’s unclear how he’ll manage the route home. But with the help of some animals who could easily develop side gigs as personal growth coaches, he develops a new mantra (“I am a STRONG and POWERFUL and NICE LOOKING chicken”—he insists on the “nice looking” part) and intimidates a hungry fox who wants to turn him into Southwest cuisine. Having discovered confidence, Chicken even begins a career as a prize winner. Thomas (My Friends Make Me Happy!), working in bright colors and comics-style panels, never misses a beat, whether it’s a sight gag (Chicken’s head gets stuck in a mole hole) or her cast’s rapport, which should prompt requests for repeat readings. The self-esteem topic may be familiar, but Thomas shows that it can still get excellent comic mileage. Ages 3–5. [em]Agent: Marcia Wernick, Wernick & Pratt. (Oct.) [/em]