Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day

September 15, 2014
Any philosophical questions readers ever had about chickens are addressed in this graphic novel. The loveliest moment in this book is hidden on the copyright page: Warren the chicken and his friend Egg watch a star shoot across the sky. But almost every page has a small, lovely moment if readers look for it: a rodent wearing a derby or a goofy song or a chicken doing gymnastics upside down (even his speech bubble is upside down). It's important to note that, at one point, a chicken crosses the road. For fans of bad chicken jokes, this book collects nearly all of them ("Your little egg could be in hot water"), and somehow even those moments are endearing. Dillard is so focused on the small details that she lets the story ramble in all directions. But the basic plot can be summed up in two sentences: (1) Warren loses his friend and finds him again. (2) A chicken learns to fly. It goes without saying that the plot is less of a draw than the loopy dialogue, which starts to sound almost like philosophy. Egg asks, "Will you fly to the moon?" and Warren says, "Why not?" The jokes and the line drawings of chickens are all charming, but even more important: We finally have an answer to "Why did the chicken cross the road?" (Graphic novel. 6-9)

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July 1, 2014

K-Gr 3-Warren is a chicken who lives on a farm filled with routines. From sunup to sundown, the chicks all follow what the coach has them do. For Warren, naptime is his favorite because it gives him a chance to dream of all the places he wants to go. His best friend, Egg, is the only chick who understands Warren, and together they support one another. When Egg pursues his curiosities to fly, he gets in a bit of trouble. Warren is the only chick who isn't blinded by the daily routines and sets out on a mission to rescue his friend. With colorful illustrations, an engaging plot, and simple text presented in short sentences or graphic novel format, this book will attract readers. Warren and Egg show children the power of reaching for one's dreams and exhibiting moonshot thinking. Food humor is also included, with references to scrambled and sunny-side up eggs. Educators will appreciate the opportunities within the book for students to make inferences, such as when Egg goes to a pond but calls it an ocean or when he goes into a cornfield but calls it a jungle. The supporting illustrations give just enough detail for readers to make an informed guess. A wonderful addition.-Andy Plemmons, David C. Barrow Elementary, Athens, GA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2015
Grades K-3 Bespectacled chick Warren takes on a new protege in newly hatched Egg, who exhibits a seemingly endless stream of preschool-style questions while kindhearted Warren eagerly shares thoughts. When Egg gets lost in the middle of the night, it's up to Warren to get practical and find him, while the rest of the chicks misconstrue search party and start decorating. This is perfect sequential art for beginning readers, combining straightforward sentences with panels packed with charming characters, as well as references that help add context to the pithy dialogue. Dillard understands how to stretch her readers while still keeping them highly entertained.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)