My son brought this book home from his school library yesterday. When I opened it and saw there were no words I thought "Oh cool, we can make up the story as we go along". We used to love reading Good Night, Gorilla. So I "read" it to myself, and I realized I had no idea what was supposed to be happening in this crazytown book.
When it came time to read this book with my son I told him there were no words so he could just look at the pictures and tell me what he thinks is happening. My son: "I don't know what is happening". I don't either.
So I tell my son the very disturbing story that is The Chicken Thief. A fox comes into a backyard gathering of animal friends and nabs a chicken. The fox goes running through the woods with the hen all the while closing her beak so she can't scream out. The chicken's friends go off chasing after the fox to save the chicken. A couple of days go by (and pages of increasing weirdness) until the chicken and the fox wind up falling in love in the oddest display of children's literature what the fuckery I've seen since reading Love You Forever.
I tried to make this story cute for my kid last night, but today I feel the overwhelming urge to make double sure my son knows it is not OK to be abducted. What kind of picture book is this?
1/10: Hated it
This does sound incredibly bizarre. It seems a bit early to be teaching our kids about Stockholm syndrome, right?
ReplyDeleteSometimes there are just books that you sneak back to the library without telling your kid!
Exactly! Stockholm syndrome is not a topic I'm looking for a way to broach with my kids.
ReplyDeleteThat's good advice, but it was from his school library. He's in Kindergarten so he only gets to check out one book at a time. It's a big deal for him to go to the library each Monday to exchange his book. He'd notice if we didn't read it! :)
That sounds awful. Good review!
ReplyDeleteHi, JEM! Not a great read, no.
DeleteWow! I have never heard of or seen this one, and after reading your review(which was awesome by the way) I am glad. This sound like a whole bunch of crazy! On a happy note my girls LOVE Good Night, Gorilla too.
ReplyDeleteAw, Becca, you're so sweet. Good Night, Gorilla is such a cute book. If you come across The Chicken Thief, keep going. ;)
Delete'and the fox wind up falling in love in the oddest display of children's literature what the fuckery I've seen since reading Love You Forever.' LOL! Best review I've read all week :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stacy, LOL!
DeleteOh dear! Maybe he's um, liberating them from the evil farmer....(shrug).
ReplyDeleteHaha. I'm trying to re-read it in my mind with the fox being a hero. He's holding her beak tight so she can't scream out and alert the evil farmer to her escape! Much, much better story. :D
DeleteOh geez! I feel so bad for laughing, but I'm dying of laughter right now! But now I'm going to look for Good Night Gorilla - my son needs more writing practice, and it's such a great idea to get a book without words and have him make up the story. I'll be staying far from The Chicken Thief though. Is it bad that I want you to review more awful children's books so I can see more of these hilarious reviews?! :-)
ReplyDeleteTanya Patrice
Girlxoxo.com
That is a great idea to use Good Night Gorilla for writing practice. Haha! I'll be sure to let you know if I read any more awful children's books. :)
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