Several of my dear friends are teachers and they tell me that, over time, some of the most popular banter they hear concerns the chicken. There are variations but it goes something like this:
Guess what? Chicken butt;
Guess where? Chicken hair;
Guess why? Chicken thigh;
Guess when? Chicken hen;
Guess how? Chicken Cow!
According to one of my favorite sources, The Urban Dictionary, this silly little tete-a-tete “is a source of laughter everywhere. It makes people have fun and kids get their daily dose of laughter. It’s completely predictable… but oh so funny!”
A teacher whom I love and respect, my wife, echoes the same sentiments.
With this in mind, I chuckled when I received a new book from Cincinnati Book Publishing entitled What’s Up Chicken-Butt?
I mean how can you not smile when you read or hear chicken butt? I always do!
This pleasingly insightful children’s picture book was written by Patria Andres, a former Cincinnati-area pre-school teacher, and illustrated by Sean Fannin, artist, videographer, and Cincinnati native. The book’s printing occurred in Dayton, Kentucky, by The Cobb Group.
What’s Up Chicken-Butt? is written for elementary students from preschool through the age of seven. The story is one of persistence and determination, one of friendship and comradery, and a tale of growth and discovery.
The humorous and quirky book tells the story of “a new student (Charlie Chicken-Butt) in a school where he is ridiculed because of his name.”
I read the book and liked it. If you have young children, I believe you will like it, too.
A height-challenged (read ‘short’) chick with a funny name is trying to ‘fit in’ despite constant ridicule and laughter; other students cannot not stop saying Charlie’s name or laughing at it. Charlie Chicken-Butt!
I think parents of young children will enjoy this book because it has an important message; reading it, you will find that acceptance trumps differences.
Many animal characters meander through this superbly illustrated storybook. According to their publisher, “Andres and Fannin create rich characters and personalities for their colorful cast. Names like Allie Gator-Toes, Mrs. Know-it-Owl, Freddy Fox-Trott, and of course Charlie Chicken-Butt” engage youngsters and adults alike.
From my perspective, how can you not cheer for a noble little chick who works double-time to fit into his new school but who, in the final analysis, realizes the greatest satisfaction is found in just being himself: Charlie Chicken-Butt. He even does extremely well in an important race, one in which he thinks he cannot even compete.
I want to add that the book is vibrant with color, the illustrations are superb, and the narrative is thoughtful and charming, and the print quality is highly professional.
I extend kudos to author Patria Andres and illustrator Sean Fannin for a job well done. I look forward to more books from this talented duo.
Interested in What’s Up Chicken-Butt? Contact Cincinnati Book Publishing at www.cincybooks.com.
Donald Then, a novelist and experienced editor and journalist, is NKyTribune’s literary editor. He will review books written by local authors or those with a Northern Kentucky setting. Reach him at author@djamesthen.com. Visit his web site at www.djamesthen.com. You can also follow Don on Twitter: Novelguy@DJamesThen.