“Cole’s gentle animal fantasies can always be depended upon, and this light mystery is just right for young readers…. Cole mixes humor with intrigue to keep the narrative bouncing along, and readers will get a kick out of the unusual detective team… Hand this to fans of Chris Riddell’s Ottoline and the Yellow Cat (2008) and A. B. Greenfield’s Ra the Mighty: Cat Detective (2018).” —Booklist

“Engaging… The birds’ exploits are surprisingly believable and enjoyable to follow in Homer’s first-person narration…. Who doesn’t love smart, friendly birds on a secret mission?” —Kirkus Reviews

“Chirpy… Cole (Brambleheart) richly imbues the narrative with sensory details… The expressive b&w pencil illustrations, rendered in panels evoking newspaper comics, heighten drama, tension, and humor.” —Publishers Weekly

Henry Cole is the illustrator of more than ninety books for children, including bestsellers such as The Leprechaun’s Gold, Little Bo, and Tango Makes Three, and Oink!, in addition to many of his own books, such as A Nest For Celeste and Jack’s Garden. He lives in Florida. You can visit  his website here.

“What might have been an ordinary be-yourself story is enhanced by Laminack’s (Snow Day!) surprisingly thoughtful storytelling…Laminack characterizes the hens with a fine ear for their Golden Girls outrage…the illustrations go for big guffaws and slapstick instead, and largely succeed…effectively keeping the book from feeling message-heavy.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Frenetically posing chickens will inspire giggles…Good farm fun.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Laminack’s storytelling is brisk, and Cole’s cartoon illustrations are vivid and comical” ―Booklist

“A delightful choice for schools and public libraries” ―School Library Journal

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“Popular author Lester L. Laminack has created a comical look at what happens when we underestimate the value of others’ work. Henry Cole’s delightful illustrations heighten the story’s humor and will have readers of all ages laughing out loud” ―Midwest Book Review

“A beautifully illustrated contemporary fable for pre-schoolers and early elementary age children. The fable centers on wanting what others have and using your own talents to make a contribution.” ―Grand Forks Herald

“Cole’s watercolor and ink illustrations are eye-catching and will appeal to readers and listeners alike” ―Savannah Morning News

“The gentle lesson about discovering your own strengths is accompanied by bright, eye-catching illustrations and slapstick humor.” ―San Diego Union-Tribune

“The sprightly story by Lester Laminack with illustrations by Henry Cole effectively makes the point that comparisons and jealousy drain the pleasure out of life by making us chase after imagined freedom, fame, and ease. In the end, both the hens and the peacock come to a fresh respect for what they do. Being grateful for who you are and what you can do is the beginning of wisdom.” ―Spirituality and Practice

“Illustrations superbly capture the animal antics!” ―Children’s Book a Day

“The message for this book is a really good one and is one that children should be exposed to.” ―My Kingdom for a Book

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Children’s Choice Book Awards Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year ―Children’s Book Council, 2012

Children’s Choices ―International Reading Association, Children’s Book Council, 2012

Best Children’s Books of the Year (Starred) ―Bank Street College of Education, 2012

Read Aloud Book Award ―Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction, 2012

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Society of School Librarians International Book Awards (Honor Book, Language Arts picture books) ―Society of School Librarians International, 2011

Storytelling World Resource Awards (Stories for Young Listeners) ―Storytelling World Magazine, 2012

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Primary) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2012

Kentucky Bluegrass Awards (Master List, Grades K-2) ―Kentucky Reading Association, Kentucky School Media Association, 2013

Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee, Picture Book) ―Association for Indiana Media Educators, 2013-2014

Alabama Camellia Awards (Nominee, Grades K-1) ―Alabama Department of Education, 2012-2013

Delaware Diamonds (Nominee, Grades K-2) ―Diamond State Reading Association, 2012-2013

Golden Sower Award (Nominee, Primary) ―Nebraska Library Association, 2014-2015

Ladybug Picture Book Award (Nominee) ―New Hampshire Center for the Book, 2012

Mockingbird Award (Nominee) ―Abilene Independent School District, 2011-2012

Nevada Young Readers’ Award (Nominee, Picture Book Category) ―Nevada Library Association, 2014

North Carolina Author Awards (Nominee, AAUW Award for Juvenile Literature) ―North Carolina Literary and Historical Association, 2011

Patricia Gallagher Picture Book Award (Nominee) ―Oregon Reading Association, 2014-2015

Prairie Bud Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―South Dakota Library Association, South Dakota Reading Council, South Dakota State Library, South Dakota Elementary School Principal, 2013-2014

Show Me Readers Award (Nominee) ―Missouri Association of School Librarians, 2013-2014

South Carolina Picture Book Award (Nominee) ―South Carolina Association of School Librarians, 2013-2014

Treasure State Award (Nominee) ―Montana State Reading Council, 2013

Best Spiritual Book of the Year List ―Spirituality & Practice, 2012

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Lester L. Laminack is a specialist in children’s literacy and professor emeritus at Western Carolina University. Laminack has written numerous books and articles for educators and is a familiar speaker at professional meetings and reading associations nationwide. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.

Henry Cole is the illustrator of more than ninety books for children, including bestsellers such as The Leprechaun’s Gold, Little Bo, and Tango Makes Three, and Oink!, in addition to many of his own books, such as A Nest For Celeste and Jack’s Garden. He lives in Florida. You can visit  his website here.

“Since Sammy is way too cute to fail, this amusing tale will serve well as an early chapter book or read-aloud.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“An excellent fit for younger chapter book readers, who will hope this isn’t the last they’ll see of Sammy Shine.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Cole’s endearing adventure will hit home with lovers of animal fantasy.” ―Booklist Online

“Kids drawn to whimsy and light adventure will find this fills the bill.” ―Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2017

Alabama Camellia Award (Nominee, Grades 4-5 Fiction) ―Alabama Department of Education, 2017-2018

Children’s Crown Award (Nominee) ―National Christian School Association, 2018-2019

Henry Cole is the illustrator of more than ninety books for children, including bestsellers such as The Leprechaun’s Gold, Little Bo, and Tango Makes Three, and Oink!, in addition to many of his own books, such as A Nest For Celeste and Jack’s Garden. He lives in Florida. You can visit  his website here.

“Hopkins’ prairie take on ‘Chicken Little’ is made storytime perfect by Cole’s characteristically hysterical, watercolor-and-colored-pencil cartoons of goggle-eyed critters. It’s also a nice twist that Mary and her friends save themselves from the coyote rather than ending up as lunch or requiring outside assistance…good fun to share in a lap or with a group.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“The repetition invites chiming in from young readers, who will also find plenty to chuckle at in Cole’s (Unspoken) bustling watercolor, ink, and colored-pencil illustrations, which convey the animals’ overblown fright with comedic bravado…a lively take on this familiar tale.” ―Publishers Weekly

“The simple text with its rhyming words and repeated phrases will appeal to emerging readers. Pair Steven Kellogg’s Chicken Little (Morrow, 1987), featuring a city setting, with this prairie version of the folktale for an entertaining story hour.” ―School Library Journal

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“The exaggerated faces and movements of the panicky characters stand out comically against the more realistic background paintings. Hopkins, a storyteller from Texas, uses repeated phrases, internal rhymes, and humor effectively, creating a transplanted folktale that reads well aloud.” ―Booklist Online

“The story itself is funny and entertaining to read. It is a good book to read out loud to your children.” ―Books for Kids

“A gorgeous picture book…The animals all have ‘punny’ names and the coyote tries to trick them into his den, but they escape. What Mary is hearing is not a stampede, but you’ll have to read the book and see what it is. It will make you smile.” ―Journey of a Bookseller

“Here is a book for your library that will not be ignored after its first read. Just like Mary McBlicken and her critter friends, kids will stampede toward this colorfully imaginative picture book.” ―Kid Lit Reviews

“This is one of the most enjoyable and funny books I have read in a long while. It had a cute repetitive rhythmic sing song to the story. Loved the western accent the characters had with the common slang of the wild west. The illustration told the story with the funny characters in their rustic old west colors of the creatures and their habitat. The ending was a real hoot! Love it! Love it! I am still smiling.” ―It’s About Time, MaMaw

“If you are among those readers that can appreciate not only a good story retell but a storybook chock full of smile inducing pictures and a bit of edutainment along the way, this book should definitely be on your ‘to read’ list. No matter if you’re two or one hundred and two, there is something to be gleaned or enjoyed within these pages as it fascinates, educates, and titillates the mind and heart…lickety-splickety.” ―Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

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Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Starred, Primary) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2014

Writers’ League of Texas Book Awards (Finalist, Picture Books) ―Writers’ League of Texas, 2013

Volunteer State Book Awards (Nominee, Primary) ―Tennessee Association of School Librarians, 2016-2017

Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―Florida Reading Association, 2014-2015

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Alabama Camellia Awards (Nominee, Grades 2-3) ―Alabama Department of Education, 2014-2015

Delaware Diamonds (Nominee, Grades K-2) ―Diamond State Reading Association, 2014-2015

Flicker Tale Children’s Book Awards (Nominee, Picture Books) ―North Dakota Library Association, 2013-2014

Mockingbird Award (Nominee) ―Abilene Independent School District, 2013-2014

Treasure State Award (Nominee) ―Montana State Reading Council, 2015

Leaping Lizards Reading List ―Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, 2013-2014

Read Alouds Too-Good-to-Miss―AISLE, 2016

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Jackie Mims Hopkins is a storyteller, a school librarian and a former teacher. She is the author of several children’s books, including The Three Armadillies Tuff and The Gold Miner’s Daughter. She lives in Texas. You can visit her website here.

Henry Cole is the illustrator of more than ninety books for children, including bestsellers such as The Leprechaun’s Gold, Little Bo, and Tango Makes Three, and Oink!, in addition to many of his own books, such as A Nest For Celeste and Jack’s Garden. He lives in Florida. You can visit his website here.

“Hopkins’ prairie take on ‘Chicken Little’ is made storytime perfect by Cole’s characteristically hysterical, watercolor-and-colored-pencil cartoons of goggle-eyed critters. It’s also a nice twist that Mary and her friends save themselves from the coyote rather than ending up as lunch or requiring outside assistance…good fun to share in a lap or with a group.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“The repetition invites chiming in from young readers, who will also find plenty to chuckle at in Cole’s (Unspoken) bustling watercolor, ink, and colored-pencil illustrations, which convey the animals’ overblown fright with comedic bravado…a lively take on this familiar tale.” ―Publishers Weekly

“The simple text with its rhyming words and repeated phrases will appeal to emerging readers. Pair Steven Kellogg’s Chicken Little (Morrow, 1987), featuring a city setting, with this prairie version of the folktale for an entertaining story hour.” ―School Library Journal

[show_more more=”Read More” less=”Read Less”]

“The exaggerated faces and movements of the panicky characters stand out comically against the more realistic background paintings. Hopkins, a storyteller from Texas, uses repeated phrases, internal rhymes, and humor effectively, creating a transplanted folktale that reads well aloud.” ―Booklist Online

“The story itself is funny and entertaining to read. It is a good book to read out loud to your children.” ―Books for Kids

“A gorgeous picture book…The animals all have ‘punny’ names and the coyote tries to trick them into his den, but they escape. What Mary is hearing is not a stampede, but you’ll have to read the book and see what it is. It will make you smile.” ―Journey of a Bookseller

“Here is a book for your library that will not be ignored after its first read. Just like Mary McBlicken and her critter friends, kids will stampede toward this colorfully imaginative picture book.” ―Kid Lit Reviews

“This is one of the most enjoyable and funny books I have read in a long while. It had a cute repetitive rhythmic sing song to the story. Loved the western accent the characters had with the common slang of the wild west. The illustration told the story with the funny characters in their rustic old west colors of the creatures and their habitat. The ending was a real hoot! Love it! Love it! I am still smiling.” ―It’s About Time, MaMaw

“If you are among those readers that can appreciate not only a good story retell but a storybook chock full of smile inducing pictures and a bit of edutainment along the way, this book should definitely be on your ‘to read’ list. No matter if you’re two or one hundred and two, there is something to be gleaned or enjoyed within these pages as it fascinates, educates, and titillates the mind and heart…lickety-splickety.” ―Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

[/show_more]

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Starred, Primary) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2014

Writers’ League of Texas Book Awards (Finalist, Picture Books) ―Writers’ League of Texas, 2013

Volunteer State Book Awards (Nominee, Primary) ―Tennessee Association of School Librarians, 2016-2017

Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―Florida Reading Association, 2014-2015

[show_more more=”Read More” less=”Read Less”]

Alabama Camellia Awards (Nominee, Grades 2-3) ―Alabama Department of Education, 2014-2015

Delaware Diamonds (Nominee, Grades K-2) ―Diamond State Reading Association, 2014-2015

Flicker Tale Children’s Book Awards (Nominee, Picture Books) ―North Dakota Library Association, 2013-2014

Mockingbird Award (Nominee) ―Abilene Independent School District, 2013-2014

Treasure State Award (Nominee) ―Montana State Reading Council, 2015

Leaping Lizards Reading List ―Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, 2013-2014

Read Alouds Too-Good-to-Miss―AISLE, 2016

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Jackie Mims Hopkins is a storyteller, a school librarian and a former teacher. She is the author of several children’s books, including The Three Armadillies Tuff and The Gold Miner’s Daughter. She lives in Texas. You can visit her website here.

Henry Cole is the illustrator of more than ninety books for children, including bestsellers such as The Leprechaun’s Gold, Little Bo, and Tango Makes Three, and Oink!, in addition to many of his own books, such as A Nest For Celeste and Jack’s Garden. He lives in Florida. You can visit  his website here.