Chicken Cheeks

Chicken Cheeks
by Michael Ian Black
illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 978-1416948643

Warning: If you are the type of person who doesn't believe the word "bum" belongs in a children's book, then read no further. This book is not for you. Trust us. However, if you are the type of person who couldn't help but snicker or at least grin when you read the word "bum" a few seconds ago, then welcome to the coop, dear friend! Because we chicks find bums pretty darn funny, and the kids we hang out with think they're even funnier.

Chicken Cheeks is a fanny extravaganza, a delightful romp of rumps throughout the Wild Kingdom. From the cheeky chick on the cover to the moose caboose inside, each animal modestly displays his or her backside in an attempt to reach...oops, never mind, we don't want to ruin the surprise (rear) end! Master illustrator Kevin Hawkes never fails to deliver, and children's book newcomer Michael Ian Black slings around his synonyms so effortlessly that old Roget would be green with envy. Plus, it turns out Michael Ian Black is really one of us.

Wordless Wonders

We love words. That's probably a very good thing since we are, after all, writers. Fluffy yellow writers with a jones for bean dip, true. But writers nonetheless.

However, we have decided that the problem with words is that they make you want to flip the page to find out what happens next. That's what they are supposed to do and it's a wonderful thing, don't get us wrong. But sometimes, we want to enjoy a book so slowly that we forget to turn the page. We love books that invite us to pour over the illustrations at a snail's pace, taking in and savouring each and every picture like a treasure map. Full of possibility and excitement and intrigue.

We Chicks have personally spent hours (okay years) of our chickie lives analyzing that dog party in GO DOG GO and trying to decide how we would spend our time if we were lucky enough to be invited. (Still waiting for that invite, btw, Mr. P.D. Eastman. And NO, being dead is not an excuse.) In case you're wondering, we are torn between between playing on the trampoline, eating cake and being shot from the cannon.)

But we digress . . .

The point is this. We love books with intricate, detail-filled illustrations that carry the narrative with a minimum of words or even without any words at all. We call them wordless wonders. (We were going to call them Usually Wordless Wonders but that wasn't catchy.) And it's true that GO DOG GO doesn't really qualify because learning to read the words is the point of the book, but you get the idea. And truly, we love that picture! It has cannons AND cake!

So, here are some of our favorites Wordless Wonders. What are yours?

Phooey!

by Marc Rosenthal

Joanna cotler Books

ISBN: 978-0060752484

A bored (and thus by our definition a boring) kid complains that nothing exciting ever happens. Of course, in his bad mood, he kicks a can into the air and yells, "Phooey!"

The can hits a sleeping cat which freaks out and gets chased by a dog into a zoo. The mahem includes pirates, elephants, keystone cops, housepainters, and pie throwing.

Where is the Cake?

by T.T. Khing

Abrams Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 978-0-8109-1798-9

A cake thief sends everyone hunting through the woods, over hills, and hither and yon. Read our previous review here.

And tomorrow, we'll tell you about our new favorite wordless wonder! See you then!

Sunday ...

Book reviewed from abrams about the cake

Tough Chicks

Tough Chicks, by Cece Meng, illustrated by Melissa Suber
Clarion Books
ISBN 0618824154

Okay, if you thought we could pass up a book titled Tough Chicks, well, then, you really don't know us very well. Plus, this book is fun, lively and has a message we embrace. This is definitely up our Chick Alley! Kudos, bean dip and chicken feed to Cece Meng and Melissa Suber!

"From the moment Mama Hen's eggs burst open, she knew she was dealing with some pretty tough chicks. Penny, Polly and Molly shook out their wet fluff and immediately began to strut their stuff. Peep, peep, zoom, zip, cheep!"

Oh, how we love the image of three tough, strutting chicks! These new heroes of ours wrestle with worms, race with bugs and check under the hood of Farmer Fred's tractor. They love the mud, they love to rope roosters and they love to hitch a ride on the cow's tail. Folks, these are not your average cuddly-duddly chicks, and we adore that about them!

Unfortunately, the other animals on the farm are not pleased with their rough and tumble ways. "Make them be good!" they insist. "But they ARE good!" Mama Hen tells them.This answer isn't good enough, so the animals give them lessons on how to be behave like proper chicks. They try teaching them to scratch for feed, build a nest, and cluck in a calm manner. But the chicks keep stirring things up with their wild and raucous ways.

"You are little fuzzy-headed chicks. Be cute. Be quiet. Be good," says Farmer Fred.

Grrrrr! say The Three Silly Chicks. Luckily, Penny, Polly and Molly stay true to themselves, and when Farmer Fred's tractor starts rolling down the hill towards the farm, these tough smart chicks know exactly what to do!

Melissa Suber's illustrations are bright and bursting with energy, just like the chicks themselves. We love the refrain, "Peep, peep, zoom, zip, cheep!" and think that kids will love repeating that during Spring storytimes. A positively chickalicious book in every way!

In the Coop with Jeff Kinney!

You might not be able to tell it by looking, but we are actually wimpy chicks. It's true that we can lift large bowls of guacamole with our feathery wings without much trouble. And we've been known to leap tall buildings for a great bowl of bean dip. But let it be known that when push comes to shove we do what any self-respecting wimp does. RUN!!!

So it is that we love Jeff Kinney's books about fellow wimp, Gregg Heffley, who might not always do the right thing, but who always does the thing right.

We are very excited that Jeff stopped by the Coop on his way hither and yon to talk about The Last Straw, the brand new installment of the Wimpy Kid Series. Though, of course, we hope it's not the Last Straw! By the way, check out the blog of Book Designer Extraordinaire, Chad Beckerman, who has some great pics of Jeff in action at a recent book launch.

Welcome, Jeff!

1. When you create a book, do the pictures or story come to you first?
The jokes come first. Once I’m done writing jokes, I try to string them together into a narrative.

2. How do you know when what you write is funny??
If I don’t feel embarrassed by the joke, or if it isn’t clichéd.

3. Do you have any tips for writing funny books?
Yes…. Write lots and lots of material, and then throw out the worst 90%.

4. Are you in any way like Greg or any of the other characters in Wimpy Kid?
Sure, Greg is an amplification of my worst points both as a kid and as an adult.

5. Has being funny ever gotten you into or out of trouble?
Once, my Algebra teacher, who had recently shaved his beard, told the class his wife said it was like sleeping with a different person. I said, “How would she know?” It got a laugh from the class, but not from the teacher.

6. What are some of your favorite funny books?????
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, by Judy Blume, and the Calvin and Hobbes books.

7. If you could live in one of your books, which one would you choose?
In an alternate universe, I feel like I’ve already lived in my books

8. Do you prefer The Marx Bros or Three Stooges?
The Marx Brothers.

9. What was your best Halloween costume ever?
C-3P0

10. What is your Dream Job for a Day?
To have any one job instead of the three that I have!

11. Clown V. Mime Deathmatch.? Pick your winner.
Mime, because they must have thicker skin.

12. Funniest dead person you'd like to meet
Dead people aren’t funny… what are you trying to pull here?

13. Do you keep a diary of your own?
I used to, but then I realized I was spending more time chronicling my life than living it.

Doggone Dogs!
by Karen Beaumont
illustrated by David Catrow
Penguin
ISBN: 9780803731578

It's a momentous day here in the coop. While two of us remain glued to our media outlets, one of us is shaking her tail feathers in Washington, DC to celebrate an event of EGG-ceptionally EGG-citing proportions...a new puppy in the White House!!! We are besides ourselves with anticipation. Will the new first dog be a purebred Portuguese water dog or a lucky labradoodle? Or perhaps a frisky cockapoo or a lovable bullschitzu? Whatever it is, the Three Silly Chicks are ready to welcome our new first pooch with open wings, chew toys and doggy treats.

In the meantime, we highly recommend Doggone Dogs, to our fellow dog-loving readers. Brought to you by the same talented team who gave us I Ain't Gonna Paint No More, this rhyming picture book guarantees belly laughs with Beaumont's playful romp of a text accompanied by Catrow's comedic crew of canines. Parents and Librarians: read this aloud to your kids (or have them read it to you!) and then let the doggone discussion ensue! Some questions to consider: Which dog in the book is your favorite? What kind of dog would make a good White House pet? If you were Malia and Sasha Obama, what would you name the first dog? Feel free to leave your own opinions in the comment section!

Mole's In Love

Mole's In Love
by David Bedford
illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
Tiger Tales
ISBN 9781589254176






We love the first line of this book. "One bright day, Morris the mole peeped out of his hole to find that it was spring."

Spring.

Is there really such a thing? The Three Silly Chicks are not entirely sure, especially when the thermometer says it's 400 below zero. But, like Morris, we have hope.

The uber endearing Morris, seeing that it is spring, hops down from his hill to find someone to love. As we all know, that can be a little tricky. And if you are a nearsighted gent with an impulsive nature, trickier still. Morris falls instantly in love with Luscious Black Fur, Pretty Pink Nose, and Gorgeous Wide Feet, only to find out seconds later that they are, um, a little different from what he expected. Is Morris destined to spend spring alone and loveless?

Oh, gosh, of course not. This is a picture book, for crying out loud. Morris does find love--right at the end of his nose. A funny and satisfying read that is sure to be as popular as heart-shaped candy on Valentine's Day.

In the Coop with David Roberts

Question: Why did the chickens cross the road?
Answer: To get more bean dip for our party with David Roberts! Duh!

This month we are doubly excited to be in the coop with the amazing and talented and --did we say amazing-- David Roberts. To start with, we are excited because David is the illustrator of Andrea's book, Iggy Peck, Architect.

But do you know why we are doubly excited?

It's because David (who has illustrated more than 30 books) is also the illustrator of Carolyn's upcoming title, Dear Tabby, which comes out in 2010.

Welcome, David!!!!

What artists have influenced your work?

I have been inspired by artists such as Edward Gorey, Maurice Sendak, David Hockney, John Burningham, Brian Wildsmith, Tomi Ungerer and from Dore particularly I have learned how to get great tone by just using line.

How do you know when what you create is funny??
If it makes me laugh!

Do you have any tips for illustrating and/or writing funny books?
Not really, but if something makes you laugh it might work but it is just really hard.

Has being funny ever gotten you into or out of trouble?
I do a lot of events like book festivals and one of my characters is a boy called Dirty Bertie who has a joke book and I often ask the children what their favourite jokes are and this can sometimes prove a bit risque!

What is one of your favorite funny books?
I love a "Hole is to Dig" by Ruth Kraus and Maurice Sendak which is funny and charming.

If you could live in one of your books, which one would you choose?
Bearing in mind that a lot of the stories I illustrate are of a spooky nature and sometimes even rather scary ghost stories I would not want to live in any of these as I would be permanently terrified. I do have a passion for the 1930's and art deco and I would not mind spending a day or two in Cinderella, an Art Deco Love Story by Lynn Roberts.

Nobody but NOBODY does skit comedy better than the British. Do you have a favorite show?
I quite agree and there are so many to choose from Little Britain, Absolutely Fabulous

and Victoria Wood on TV. There is a show that was on in the 80's called Girls on Top

and this is my all time favourite.


What was your best Halloween costume ever?
I was a vampire victim with two holes in my neck, a white face and I wore my Marilyn Monroe T-shirt drenched in fake blood.

What is your Dream Job for a Day?
Wine taster, whiskey taster, gin taster, chocolate taster, cake taster - but I do that most days any way! I would quite like to be able to play the trumpet in a brass band.

Clown V. Mime Deathmatch?
Pick your winner. I suppose the mime artist could be the underdog so I would say that.

Funniest dead person you'd like to meet??
Loved Laurel and Hardy, a custard pie fight never ceases to make me laugh.

And because the fourth season of Doctor Who just ended on this side of the Pond and the Chick in pink is now experiencing serious withdrawal, we must ask: Who is YOUR Doctor?
Without a shadow of a doubt Tom Baker. My brother and I spent a lot of time behind the sofa when he was on the screen. I illustrated his one and only children's book,

The Boy who Kicked Pigs, and when I met him we were in a taxi on our way to dinner and I was thinking to myself we could end up anywhere!!!!!

Honorary Silly Flock of Chicks - the Stevenson-Trupiano-Durango-Washburn Gang

On Christmas Eve, the Stevenson-Trupiano-Durango-Washburn gang from Ottawa, Illinois held a tacky sweater contest with proceeds going to Heifer International. Altogether, they were able to purchase 8 flocks of chicks due to their tasteless attire. Seen here are the patriarch and matriarch of this shameless clan, Bill and Diane Stevenson circa 1977. As you can see, this attractive couple has been making fashion statements for decades.

Honorary Silly Chick - Sherry Stanford

Sherry Stanford (sister of silly chick Julia) bought a flock of chicks for Christmas. Sherry teaches 2nd grade in St. Charles, MO. Her favorite funny book to share with students is Fox on the Job by James Marshall. Her secret skill is the ability to tame cowlicks (and she has many!) by wearing a knit hat for an hour before she leaves the house.

Timothy and the Strong Pajamas

Timothy and the Strong Pajamas
written and illustrated by Viviane Schwarz
Arthur Levine Books
ISBN 0545033299

We think this book is especially appropriate for a day when we Three Silly Chicks have decided to stay in our pajamas all day and eat bean dip. Making New Year's resolutions makes us soooo tired. Thank goodness for cozy bedtime stories featuring Super Strong Pajamas and sock monkeys!

Timothy Smallbeast isn't big and he isn't strong. Every night he puts on his pajamas, drinks his fortified milk, does his exercises and thinks STRONG thoughts. Alas, no matter how hard he tries, he stays small and weak. But all that exercising is tough on his pjs. His mom comes to the rescue and fixes them with extra strong thread. In fact, Timothy's mom fixes them so well they are now Super Strong Pajamas! Timothy and his best friend Monkey use the pajamas to perform all sorts of heroic acts, like saving elephant ladies, zookeepers, kittens, and sailors. It seems there's absolutely nothing Timothy can't do when he's in his Super Strong Pajamas. Then one day Timothy rips them while trying to pull his friend Monkey out from under a very large bear. Uh oh! How will Timothy be able to save his friend without his Super Strong Pajamas?

Newcomer Viviane Schwarz has written and illustrated a fast-paced, kid-pleasing super hero tale that is destined to be read on Pajama Days in schools across the country. Serve it up with fortified milk and extra-tough cookies!

Happy Birthday Carolyn Crimi!

Hey Everybody! We hope you will join us in wishing our dear friend and silliest of chicks, Carolyn Crimi, a fine, fluffy and feathery birthday! And since the Coop is full of wonderful snacks and treats from so many Honorary Silly Chicks, it's time for us to have a party! Chicken Dancing for all!

It has been a great year in the Coop and we hope you've enjoyed hanging out with us. Thank you to everyone who took time to donate to Heifer International and made a difference! Here's to a wondrous New Year of Books and Bean Dip shared with Our Fine Feathered Friends everywhere!

Honorary Silly Chick - JoAnn Early Macken

Welcome JoAnn Early Macken! We're so pleased to welcome JoAnn to the coop. JoAnn is a wonderful children's author. Of course, JoAnn is also very silly and loves silly kids' books. A silly children's book that always cracks her up is An Extraordinary Egg by Leo Lionni. It even has chickens in it--sort of. And talk about mad skills? She can turn my car into a garage! Top that Britney Spears! And since everyone else seems to be bringing desserts to the party, JoAnn is making a batch of nachos with guacamole on top. Yum! You know we loves the Guac!!!! Happy holidays and welcome!!!!

Honorary Silly Chick - Sheila Welch

Welcome Sheila Welch! Children's book author and illustrator extraordinaire. Having to pick ONE favorite children's book is . . . well, HARD to do! But Sheila probably couldn't have raised her seven kids without the classic (A.A. Milne not Disney) Winnie-the-Pooh books. (Absolutely one of our all time favorites.) She has also enjoyed reading them to one granddaughter. As for mad skills, Sheila's takes the cake. Well . . . it takes they cookies. Sheila makes "storybook"'cookies (cut-out gingerbread cookies based on children's books'characters) each Christmas to display on the kitchen shelves. Here's a sample of some of her handywork. How cool is that?

To create them, Sheila sketches the characters on light weight cardboard, cuts them out, and uses these as patterns -- lays them on the rolled out dough and cuts around them with a small, sharp knife. She's even sent us the recipe! See below:

Thanks for your generosity, Sheila! Welcome to the coop!

Molasses/Gingerbread Cookies
1 cup sugar
1 cup shortening
1 cup light molasses
1 tablespoon vinegar
6 cups sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon salt (can be left out)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon2 eggs, beaten

1) Combine sugar, shortening, molasses, and vinegar in a saucepan; bringto boil; cook 2 minutes. Cool.

2) Sift together flour, salt, soda, baking powder, and spices.

3) Add eggs to cooled molasses mixture. Add dry ingredients; mix well.Chill. (I form the dough into about six balls before chilling.)

4) Roll out on lightly floured board, about 1/8 to 1/4 inches thick. (Ifthe dough is too stiff, let it warm up more or sprinkle with a smallamount of water and knead it in.) Cut; put on greased baking sheet. (Usevery little grease or the cut out shapes spread out too much.)

5) Bake in moderate oven (375 degrees) for 8 to 10 minutes or until done.(Use a metal spatula to get them off the cookie sheets -- works betterthan plastic.)

Honorary Silly Chick - Candace Ryan

Welcome to the coop, Sudo Nimm. If that IS your true identity.

In fact, we know it's not! Sudo is the alter ego of one Candace Ryan, a picture book author and blogger. Candace's favorite funny picture books make her laugh and think simultaneously, which inevitably results in a major bout of the brain tickles. Currently, she possess a mad skill of being able to write punny math and chemistry jokes, which, hopefully, will spread the contagion of brain tickles to hordes of defenseless readers. Candace is bringing yummy bowls of miso soup for everyone.

Welcome Candace (and Sudo!) and thanks for helping a family through your donation of chicks!

Santa Duck

Santa Duck
by David Milgrim
Putnam
ISBN: 978-0399250187

Worried about "another year of socks and underwear" under the tree, Nicholas Duck sets off to find Santa so he can tell him what he really wants for Christmas this year. But on his way out the door, he finds a surprise: someone has left him a Santa hat. Pleased by the gift, he dons the cozy warm hat and sallies forth, until he's stopped by a persistent chicken (bock!), who starts to tell "Santa Duck" what he would like for Chistmas. Soon after, a cat, turtle, squirrel, rabbit and a gang of other excited animals rattle off their (hilariously detailed and extravagant) Christmas wish lists. Duck thinks they've all gone bonkers and runs far away, straight into the real Santa Claus. "No way!" Duck says. "Way," says Santa. Duck tells Santa what all the other animals want, but forgets to tell him about his own list. Poor Duck! Will it be another year of socks and undies for him? Check out this perfect holiday read-aloud to find out!

p.s. The final illustration shows all the animals cheerfully enjoying their gifts from Santa, who has given each of them something they wanted, although not everything they wanted. Thank you, David Milgrim, for ending this charming book in the true spirit of the season -- parents everywhere will appreciate this small yet important detail!

Honorary Silly Chick - Heather Frederick

There are few things we enjoy more than clown(fishing) around with the marvelous and talented Heather Frederick. Besides being a super-talented children's author and new blogger, Heather possesses a mad skill which makes us oddly envious. She can cross one eye!

That's something we could watch all day if we had a good snack at hand. Fortunately, Heather is bringing one to the Coop! It's a snack with literary roots – they’re from the late, lamented, and fabulous novelist Laurie Colwin’s “Home Cooking”:

Thanks for your generosity and the snacks you Silly Chick!

SPICED ROSEMARY WALNUTS

Ingredients
2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crumbled
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
2 cups walnuts
Directions
Melt 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter with 2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crumbled, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne. Pour this mixture over 2 cups walnuts, tossing to coat them. Bake the nuts on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 10 minutes

Honorary Silly Chick - Jenny Meyerhoff

Hey Jenny Meyerhoff! We are so glad to welcome you to the Coop as an Honorary Silly Chick. Nice beanie, btw!

Jenny Meyerhoff is a children's author who loves silly books. Her favorites are the George and Martha books by James Marshall.
Jenny's mad skill is planning kids’ birthday parties. Her kids have had a Captains Underpants party, a Medieval Tournament party, an I Love Reading Party, a bouncing party, an Improv party, a Transformers party and more. You name it, she can make a party out of it!

Jenny is bringing apple crisp to the coop and here's here recipe. Thanks, Jenny for your generosity and bringing food plus your mad skills to the Coop! We're sure you'll jazz up our parties!


Jenny's Apple Crisp

Peel and core five apples. Cut into pieces. Put in baking or pie dish.
In a bowl mix 3 tbsp white sugar, ½ cup rolled oats, ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup flower, ½ tsp cinnamon, and ¼ cup butter until crumbly.
Sprinkle dry mix over apples and bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes.

Devour!!!

Honorary Silly Chicks - Jenn Knoblock!

Hey Jenn Knoblock! Welcome to the Coop. We are so glad you have joined us as an Honorary Silly Chick. And we share your love of the fabulous Adam Rex's THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY. Atsa funny book!

Jenn's most useful mad skill is being a walking dictionary for her oldest daughter and her snack would have to be chips and mango-peach salsa, or any kind of cheesecake.

Yum! And thank you for your generosity!

Honorary Silly Chicks - Jo Knowles and the Mystery Pirate!

We know a great many silly people. And a great number of kind ones. And don't you know it? They are the same people! Such is the case with our lovely friend (and faboo YA author) Jo Knowles.

Jo always gives freely of her time and energy and talents to help others. We were not surprised when Jo and her friend, the Mystery Pirate, bought 2 flocks of chicks. They are in honor of Mystery Pirate's grandparents which is very, very cool!

The Mystery Pirate is also very generous and has shared his recipe for a great snack. One that we shall enjoy with them in the Coop!

His favorite book is Harry Potter and he possesses the mad skill of doing belly rolls! We possess mad bellies and enjoy rolls, but do not possess the talent of doing belly rolls. Perhaps one day you can teach us!

Thanks Mystery Pirate and Jo "Mad Hatter" Knowles! You rock!

Chocolate-covered pretzels with your favorite sprinkles.

All you have to do is melt some chocolate chips, then dip pretzel sticks in the chocolate. Then when the chocolate starts to get hard, dip it in your favorite type of sprinkles, like red sprinkles, colored dots, or chocolate sprinkles. Then you put the sticks in the refrigerator until the chocolate gets hard. Or you can eat it fresh. It's really good.

Honorary Silly Chick - Terry Golson!

Wow! We are so thrilled that Terry Golson is coming to the coop. AND, she's even got her own chickens!!!! Plus, since two of her hens are still laying, she's bringing deviled eggs. YUM!!!!

Terry says that asking her for a favorite kid's book is like asking which of her chickens she loves the most - not fair! (We hadn't thought of that!) But, since no one has mentioned David McPhail recently, she'll choose anything by him. Smart thinking!

Welcome, Terry and chickens and thanks for your generosity!