This summer we're hosting themed storytimes at the bookstore. Join us at 9:30 am every Saturday for a read aloud led by one of our booksellers.

Save the date for our chicken-themed storytime on July 2nd - live chickens will be in attendance!

I've been thinking a lot lately about a book called Chickenology. On its bright green cover there's a chicken with a strange little Mona Lisa smile. It's a visual encyclopedia of all things chicken. Dusting shelves, I'd pause to pick up Chickenology and flip through the pages. Breeds of chickens, chicken habits, history. Bright and busy illustrations. 

A few weeks later I went to a music class with my daughter. It was almost Easter so we sang songs about bunnies hopping, chickens hatching from eggs. After some enthusiastic mini tambourine shaking we headed to the library. I did a quick chicken-keyword catalog search and discovered Sonya's Chickens by Phoebe Wahl. 

Sonya lives with her family in a woodsy paradise. She has some excellent knitwear. Sonya's chickens start out living indoors in a brooder before they're moved into an adorable rustic coop. But the coop is a little too rustic. A Fox breaks in, the chickens meet their maker, Sonya is distraught. The father soothes Sonya, reminds her that all creatures need to eat, even the fox, and in turn reminds the reader that loss is part and parcel of life. I imagine it can be tricky to hit the right tone when writing about death and grief in children's books. I think Sonya's Chickens does it well. 

On a lighter note is Mr. Watsons Chickens, a funny story about chicken math. Chicken math refers to the calculations chicken keepers make when growing their flock. What's just one more? Especially when it's an unusual breed, or lays an interesting color of egg, or because the other chickens seem lonely? But Mr.Watson doesn't need any reason to get more chickens. He's got a PhD in chicken math. This book is a ton of fun to read, featuring fun illustrations packed full of little scenes of chicken hijinx. 

These three chicken books just scratch (and peck?) the surface of what's out there for chicken -curious kids. If you're on the fence about coming to a chicken themed story time I hope this post convinces you it's worth it. Science education, a lesson in emotional intelligence, pure entertainment. These three books are about more than just chickens. 

-Ally