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Big Chickens Hardcover – February 2, 2006

by Leslie Helakoski (Author), Henry Cole (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 261 ratings
See all formats and editions
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When four big chickens see a wolf sneaking near their coop, they run into the woods to hide. But for a bunch of big chickens, running away from danger isn’t as easy as it looks. As they continue on their way, they wonder:What if they get stuck in a ditch? What if they hit an iceberg in the lake? What if they step into a cow patty? Ewww!

Brimming with silliness and the kind of slapstick humor small children love, here’s a rollicking read-aloud with an uplifting message and a very satisfying ending. Henry Cole’s hilarious artwork captures all the sly humor.

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    2 - 6 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Lexile measure
    490L
  5. Dimensions
    10.25 x 0.25 x 8.75 inches
  6. Publisher
    Dutton Books for Young Readers
  7. Publication date
    February 2, 2006
  8. ISBN-10
    0525475753
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0525475750
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–Helakoski gives a new twist to the old story about a henhouse and a furry predator in this funny story. These four suggestible hens are chicken in more ways than one. When they first spy a wolf, they run off to hide in the woods, but are soon frightened by a ditch, and then by a peaceful-looking group of cows, and on and on, until they end up in a cave, where an encounter with actual danger leaves them feeling brave for the first time. Bright pictures convey the comic events with an exaggerated style just right for the story line. Theres a satisfying amount of silliness that will leave children giggling at the panic-stricken fowl and the chaos they produce wherever they go. Predictable patterns in the language and in the narrative structure add appeal as well. As fluffy as the hens tail feathers, this selection will be an enjoyable read-aloud for kids on a lap or in a group.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Four "cautious, careful" chickens conquer their fears in this lighthearted tale. After spotting a wolf in the barnyard, the birds flee their coop, and then are afraid to return home. Everything scares them--a muddy ditch, a pasture filled with cows, a lake. But they persevere and manage each obstacle--until they arrive, "dirty, dusty, dripping, [and] dazed," at a cave, where they stumble upon the wolf who set off the chain of events. The surprise? This time, it's the wolf that flees, and the triumphant chickens swagger back home with newfound confidence. Helakoski bolsters the slim story with infectious repetition and rhyme that will encourage young listeners to chant along. Cole exaggerates the chickens' bug-eyed terror and smug triumph in expressive, full-page ink-and-watercolor pictures that are sure to provoke giggles, and children will delight in the powerful role reversal as the timid chickens realize that bullies aren't always what they seem and that the scariest fears can be overcome. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dutton Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (February 2, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0525475753
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0525475750
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 6 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 490L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.25 x 0.25 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 261 ratings

About the author

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Leslie Helakoski

Leslie Helakoski

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Leslie Helakoski divides her time between south Louisiana and northern Michigan. Always a fan of picture books, she worked in a Montessori school where she fell in love with the power of teaching with story. She is now the author of 11 picture books including Hoot & Honk, which she also illustrated and Ready or Not, Woolbur Goes to School. Earlier books are Big Chickens (a Michigan Reads Picturebook, a Great Lakes Great Books Award winner and a GLBA finalist) Big Pigs, Doggone Feet! and Woolbur (a Book Sense pick, Florida Reading Assoc. Honor Book and nominee for state book awards in 11 states) Newest title, Are Your Stars Like My Stars? released in January, 2020. Access the activity guide for Stars that includes geography, art, language and more at helakoskibooks.com. See book trailers for her books, Fair Cow and Big Chickens at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RStUVypk4gQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7Ok7haxPWw&feature=related

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
261 global ratings
perfect story for developing little brains
5 Stars
perfect story for developing little brains
I purchased the paperback version of this book and it arrived on time in perfect shape. This book is up there on my favorites list. The illustrations are cute and inviting to kiddos. The story is good - it has some great teaching values - and not one I find tiresome. Plus the text uses a fairly expansive vocabulary- several descriptive words I don’t see often in other children’s books. There is some repetitive text, which I know helps language development and gives the kids something to expect and join in on during reading. I find the repetitiveness in this book is not as extensive as in some other children’s books, so it doesn’t get annoying. All in all, I enjoy this book as a parent, my kids like this book, and I expect you’ll to like it as well.
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Top reviews from the United States

Judith Ann Stevenson
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining!
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
Adorable pictures and story
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MFan
5.0 out of 5 stars perfect story for developing little brains
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2018
Verified Purchase
I purchased the paperback version of this book and it arrived on time in perfect shape. This book is up there on my favorites list. The illustrations are cute and inviting to kiddos. The story is good - it has some great teaching values - and not one I find tiresome. Plus the text uses a fairly expansive vocabulary- several descriptive words I don’t see often in other children’s books. There is some repetitive text, which I know helps language development and gives the kids something to expect and join in on during reading. I find the repetitiveness in this book is not as extensive as in some other children’s books, so it doesn’t get annoying. All in all, I enjoy this book as a parent, my kids like this book, and I expect you’ll to like it as well.
Customer image
MFan
5.0 out of 5 stars perfect story for developing little brains
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2018
I purchased the paperback version of this book and it arrived on time in perfect shape. This book is up there on my favorites list. The illustrations are cute and inviting to kiddos. The story is good - it has some great teaching values - and not one I find tiresome. Plus the text uses a fairly expansive vocabulary- several descriptive words I don’t see often in other children’s books. There is some repetitive text, which I know helps language development and gives the kids something to expect and join in on during reading. I find the repetitiveness in this book is not as extensive as in some other children’s books, so it doesn’t get annoying. All in all, I enjoy this book as a parent, my kids like this book, and I expect you’ll to like it as well.
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5 people found this helpful
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Margaret
5.0 out of 5 stars My grandkids love this book---and so do I!
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is a great lesson in being brave and taking a chance. The illustrations are fabulous! I love reading this book to my grandkids and am happy to read it over and over! I bought this book for a newborn baby, but really so her older brothers could read it to her.
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Brandon G.
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute Book
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
Second time purchasing this book for a kids’ book exchange. All my kids loved reading it over and over again.
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J.L. Farnsworth
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Children's Books
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2009
Verified Purchase
This book just may be one of the best children's books written. It's a fun read. An easy read. And a quick read. It's not one you mind reading over and over again, and it's a very good chance you will, not just for your kids enjoyment, but for yours as well. The story is about 4 Big Chickens, who are very big chickens indeed, who continously and hilariously stumble into predicaments they had wanted to avoid, such as being afraid of water, but of course they fall in, and afraid of cows, whom they end up tumbling with, all as they try to avoid the wolf who they ultimately run into at the end of the story anyway, with a very funny ending! And in the end, the 4 big chickens discover they are 4 big BRAVE chickens. At least in their own minds. A cute, fun, and enjoyable book that I highly recommend, along with it's sequel, "Four Big Chickens Fly the Coop." Don't hesitate. You'll love it!
One person found this helpful
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Heather L
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun story
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
A fun story for my chicken obsessed two year old. He loves it and I don’t mind reading it repeatedly. The story could be very useful for fearful children as it teaches that fear is often overblown and in the end seeing the whole situation helps one make better decisions.
One person found this helpful
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fairytoes
4.0 out of 5 stars I don't think it's funny but my KIDS SURE DO
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2013
Verified Purchase
Okay I read the whole thing, I felt it was long winded it's not funny the whole time to me. Good rhyming adjectives, which my daughter has problems with, rhyming, but when I got to the end my two girls, 7 and 3 were ROLLING laughing. They thought it was hysterical! I literally sat and read this book 4x to my 3 year old. At the end she would ask me to read it again through her laughter. Something about having chicken guts just busts their gut! I immediately bought the next book big chickens with blue writing. Hope that's a hit too!
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amatex
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for all ages
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book has bright colors, cute pictures, and a wonderful little lesson about bravery and doing those things that you might be afraid to try. My grandkids love it.
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Top reviews from other countries

kel;ly
5.0 out of 5 stars Great little story!
Reviewed in Canada on August 24, 2021
Verified Purchase
My 2 year old niece loves this book! She loves chickens and waits for them to say Me too, Me three and Me four!
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Natalie
4.0 out of 5 stars Super funny story!
Reviewed in Canada on June 30, 2019
Verified Purchase
Love this book! My students and I just can’t get enough! The only thing was the one corner of the book was bent. That is why it was 4 instead of 5 stars.
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