Today's read is based on a true event...which definitely caught my attention. With around 20 chickens on our farm (which isn't a ton but more than enough for us), these birds are something I've learned to know well. And love their eggs, but that's something else. Some of them are smart; others not so much. When I saw that this chicken can play tic-tac-toe, I had to see what that's about. Because I can't believe a chicken is capable of that. They might be curious animals and do some interesting things, at times, but high intelligence isn't a box I'd check off on for them.
So, let's see what this chicken is all about!
TIC-TAC-TOE CHICKEN
by Kimberly Tso
Illustrated by Louie Chin
Third State Books
Picture Book
32 pages
ages 4 to 8
COMING AUGUST 19th!!!
New York City is not a great place for a chicken to live. It’s crowded and loud and busy. But you can find the city’s most famous chicken, Lillie, a.k.a. the Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken, in Chinatown. When tourists ask, “Where’s the Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken?” locals point them to a video-game arcade on Mott Street, where Lillie plays games of tic-tac-toe against anyone who wants to play against her.
But eight-year-old Beatrice worries that the dark arcade is just not a good place for Lillie to live. She devises a clever She will challenge the arcade’s Big Boss in a game of tic-tac-toe. Will Beatrice win Lillie’s freedom?
Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken is a picture book inspired by the true story of Lillie, a real chicken trained to play tic-tac-toe in New York’s Chinatown Fair arcade, and her relocation to a farm for rescued animals. Featuring vibrant paintings of Chinatown, Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken showcases a local cultural touchstone and shows how children can stand up for what they believe in and solve tough problems with clever thinking.
But eight-year-old Beatrice worries that the dark arcade is just not a good place for Lillie to live. She devises a clever She will challenge the arcade’s Big Boss in a game of tic-tac-toe. Will Beatrice win Lillie’s freedom?
Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken is a picture book inspired by the true story of Lillie, a real chicken trained to play tic-tac-toe in New York’s Chinatown Fair arcade, and her relocation to a farm for rescued animals. Featuring vibrant paintings of Chinatown, Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken showcases a local cultural touchstone and shows how children can stand up for what they believe in and solve tough problems with clever thinking.
MY TIDBITS
The love for animals shines in this touching read about a chicken and a girl's determination.
In an arcade in New York's Chinatown, a chicken plays tic-tac-toe against anyone willing to pay. The chicken always wins. When a little girl sees the smart bird, she begins to feel sorry for it. After all, it's spending its life in the confines of the machine and never has the chance to go outside to be with its own kind. Determined to help the poor chicken, she comes up with a plan, but whether or not she can save the bird will also depend on some luck.
This book takes a small step back in time, and the illustrations do a lovely job at bringing that across. The New York streets come to life...slightly historical ones. Many aspects in the illustrations come across with familiarity and draw the readers in. Still, the details make it clear that it's not modern day. This adds a fun aspect as readers can point out things and open up to discussions. So, this aspect is nicely done and great for the age group.
The tale is one which warms the heart and keeps the reader in the pages. The chicken immediately will have readers intrigued thanks to its abilities to win the game. The reality behind this so-called ability is exposed about mid-way through, but that doesn't disappoint since the tale takes a heart-warming direction. The girl's desire to save the chicken is understandable and easy to get behind. As things don't go as smoothly as hoped, there's enough uncertainty to the chicken's future to grab and hold in the pages. Yet, this is a gentle story and fits the age group nicely...in other words, the ending is like a warm hug and leaves with a smile.
The idea that kids can make a difference is the main message in these pages, and while it's clear, it never comes across as preachy. The girl also doesn't reach her goal easily, nor does she do anything over-the-top. Rather, it's a more realistic solution.
This is a lovely read with quite a bit of goodness and would make a nice addition to story time, group readings or even for beginning readers to pick up on their own.
About the publisher...
Third State Books is the first general-interest publishing house that focuses solely on bringing AAPI voices, perspectives, and issues to audiences who cherish them. Through fiction and nonfiction, for adults and children, it strives to publish stories that more fully represent the total Asian American experience. Its name, “Third State,” refers to the unique experience of being a bridge between cultures as Asian Americans, who proudly occupy a distinctive space and identity all their own. For additional information, please visit https://www.thirdstatebooks.com/.
No comments:
Post a Comment