The Chicken Who Couldn't - by Jan Thomas (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Chicken has fallen out of Farmer's truck! He can't possibly get himself all the way home...can he?"--

Book Synopsis

After falling out of Farmer's truck, Chicken must find his own way home in this goofy, laugh-out-loud story about overcoming obstacles and believing in yourself.

It has not been a good day for Chicken. He went to the fair with Farmer, but didn't win even one ribbon. And on the way home, the road is so bumpy that Farmer's truck knocks Chicken right out! He's been left behind! It's the end for Chicken. Surely, he can't walk all the way home. Or avoid the hungry fox along the way. Or maybe...he can?

This rollicking picture book will have little ones in giggles over Chicken's misadventures and chiming in on the plucky fowl's mantra "I am a strong and powerful and nice-looking chicken!" as he achieves more than he thought possible.

Review Quotes

Full of giggle-inducing exclamations and well-timed page-turns, Thomas's comedy of errors unfolds entirely in dialogue. Bold-colored backgrounds help to signal moments of heightened alarm among Chicken's journey. Thomas's use of panels measures the delivery of each punch line, and her characters' boxy bodies and flailing limbs bring silliness to every encounter. Somewhere between snorts of laughter, readers might even catch a lesson in self-confidence Chicken certainly does.--Horn Book Magazine "November/December 2020"

Thomas, 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.--Publishers Weekly "August 31, 2020"

Thomas' trademark goofy illustrations arranged in comic-style panels hold a great deal of energy, and the Looney Tunes-style humor will get a lot of laughs from young audiences. Like popcorn chicken, this book's got a nugget of protein at its center.--Kirkus Reviews "August 1st, 2020"

About the Author

Jan Thomas is the creator of Rhyming Dust Bunnies; Can You Make a Scary Face?; Here Comes the Big, Mean Dust Bunny!; Is Everyone Ready for Fun?; Even Robots Aren't Perfect; Even Robots Can Be Thankful!; Let's Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy; Problem Solved!; and A Scrub in the Tub. She lives in Socorro, New Mexico.