Chicks Run Wild Book

Mama Hen tucks each of her five little chicks into bed with fluffed up pillows and kisses. But when she leaves the room, the chicks run wild! They jump, play, dance. Even though they try to hide what they are doing from their mama, she figures it out. Again, she tries to tuck them into bed, but again they run wild when she leaves. Finally, she catches them in a wild pillow fight and that is when her response surprises the chicks. She offers to play with them! Now all of them go wild with dancing. The chicks get tired and beg to return to bed, so now is mama's turn to continue the wild evening in her own way.

Bardhan has written the book in a rollicking rhyme that is ideal for reading aloud. At times the rhythm of the verse can be clunky and the rhymes may be a stretch, but the attitude of the book more than makes up for these small issues. Her ultimately flexible parenting model in the book reminds all of us that sometimes rules are meant to be bent and broken.

Jenkins' illustrations are large and vibrant. They will work well with groups of children who will also enjoy their frenetic energy. The illustrations, done in pencil and painted digitally, have a great modern and cartoon feel that will appeal to young readers.

This book will wake up bedtime stories or it can be used to enliven spring story times. Appropriate for ages 3-5.