Classic Retelling: Chicken Litttle: The Real and Totally True Tale

Chicken Little: The Real and Totally True Tale

by Sam Wedelich

Illustrations by the author

Scholastic

2020

40 pages

ISBN: 9781338359015

Witty, whimsical, FUNNY, and clever! Sam Wedelich delivers a cute cautionary tale in his humorous imagining of the classic tale about a farmyard gossip! 

This little Chicken Little isn't much afraid of anything. She knows science, and can figure things out doing some fact-checking and information gathering. When a BONK on her head sends her scurrying for answers, Chicken Little is quick to gather facts. 

Scientific and fun sounding words will leave little ones giggling: preposterous, gravity, horde, meteors, utter, clucky, chaos!

Fun word play on the word pandamonium becomes hen-damonium. The barnyard chickens aren't much help as they band together clucking and worrying, but Chicken Little finds the answers and calms the crowd. 

Truly a fun read-aloud! Make sure you bring your character voices for performing this quirky read. Kids will create their own dialog and likely memorize the funny lines of this little beauty! 

STEM for beginning readers and scientists. Any young (or old) reader will chuckle at this beloved rendering of Chicken Little. She's not a worried little chick any more, she a boss chicken! 

Highly, highly recommended ages 4-8 and older for some of the ideas like "free-range" chickens and grin and nod to Snopes (Snipes). 

Art Pick: Henri's Scissors

Henri's Scissors
by Jeanette Winter
Beach Lane Books
2013
40 pages
ISBN 9781442464841

A triumph for the human spirit! Henri Matisse is well known for his paintings, both today and during his lifetime. When a serious illness left him bedridden, Matisse knew he could never paint again. His love of art and his creative spirit urged him forward. He picked up a pair of scissors and began to cut paper.

He turned his papers into a garden of art which are now on display at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.  New York Times writer John Russell said, "Though produced by a very old man who was mortally ill, (the cut outs) seem to come from the springtime of the world." (November 25, 1984)

This book is for young children but its message is for everyone. Art lasts throughout one's  life. Many artists never reach their full potential late in life or in old age (Grandma Moses, Georgia O'Keefe). Creativity exists even in sickness. Matisse did not stop living; he continued to dream and to create. What an accomplishment!


Highly recommended for art lovers everywhere. An easy read for younger children and could easily be incorporated into an art appreciation class for any age.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not received monetary compensation for this review.

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