Chick-o-Saurus Rex

May 6, 2013
A factoid from evolutionary biology—that chickens are T. rex’s closest living relatives—provides a distinctive angle to a story about bullying from this husband-and-wife team (she’s the author of the YA novel Level 2; he’s the illustrator of Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?). Daniel Jennewein’s digital drawings show scrawny, earnest Little Chick staring longingly at the neighborhood tree house, presently occupied by an obnoxious trio: Little Donkey, Little Sheep, and Little Pig. “This is a club for the brave and mighty,” they sneer. “So tell us, what mighty things can chickens do?” A search turns up a paleontologist grandfather and traces of an ancient ancestor said to lie buried nearby. “Can we go there? Please?” Little Chick pleads with his father, and the two uncover a gigantic T. rex skeleton. Armed with the knowledge of his terrifying sire—and a giant bone—Little Chick proves his bravery. While the story doesn’t offer a real-world bully solution, its premise is easy to understand and (more notably, perhaps) it takes the principle of evolution as the quiet, undisputed basis for all that happens. Ages 4–8. Agent: Stephen Barbara, Foundry Literary + Media.

May 1, 2013
Inspired by his dinosaur ancestry, a small chick drives off a wolf and so turns bullies into friends in this bland episode. Bullies Little Pig, Little Sheep and Little Donkey refuse him entry to the treehouse unless he can prove that he's "brave and mighty." A nascent rooster's crow doesn't persuade them that he or his family meet their qualifications, and they post a "No Chickens Allowed" sign on their tree. Little Chick pesters his dad into helping him dig up an "ancient ancestor" who turns out to be T. Rex. Proclaiming "I AM CHICK-O-SAURUS REX!" in a full-spread bellow, Little Chick races back to the tree with a giant bone, arriving just in time to send a startled wolf scooting off. Huzzah. After a general chorus of "For He's a Mighty Brave Chicken," the erstwhile bullies throw the treehouse open to all the farm animals. The thick-lined, very simple cartoon illustrations have just about as much nuance as the plotline. Hot as the "bully" topic may be, this has nothing to offer on it aside from facile wish fulfillment. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-6)

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June 1, 2013

K-Gr 2-Little Chick longs to play in the tree house, but the entrance is guarded by three bullies. Little Donkey, Little Pig, and Little Sheep insist that only the brave and mighty can belong to their club and put up a "No Chickens Allowed" sign. So Little Chick searches for an impressive relative. His dad helps him discover a picture of Grandpa Rooster and a fossil and tells him that legend has it that an ancient ancestor is buried beyond the farm. Wearing their pith helmets and holding pickaxes, father and son dig one hole after another until they discover a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton. Renaming himself Chick-o-Saurus Rex, the chick hurries back to the tree house and rescues the bullies from a hungry wolf. His brave act wins him acclaim and opens the tree house to all the farm animals. The cartoon artwork uses simple lines and bright colors. An author's note explains that paleontologists have confirmed that chickens really are T. rex's closest living relative. Dinosaur-loving youngsters will warm to Little Chick, whose courage has nothing to do with his size.-Mary Jean Smith, formerly at Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2013
Preschool-G All the little farm animals long to play in the tree house where the young donkey, pig, and sheep have their exclusive club. When Little Chick tries to join, they bar his way and deflate his pride. Inspired by a family photo, Little Chick digs for a legendary ancestral fossil nearby and discovers a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. Suddenly courageous, he bellows, I AM CHICK-O-SAURUS REX! After he frightens away the wolf that is terrorizing the donkey, pig, and sheep, they admit their wrongs, sing his praises, and open the clubhouse to all. Full of energy and humor, the bold digital artwork creates cartoonlike effects with black, expressive lines and flat colors. The story is satisfying as well. Beyond introducing the concept that chickens are the closest living relatives of the T. rex (discussed in the appended author's note), it offers opportunities for kids to chime in on the song For He's a Mighty Brave Chicken, Little Chick's memorable bellow, and his family's battle cry, COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO! Fun for reading aloud, especially in group settings.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)