Three French Hens: A Holiday Tale

by Margie Palatini, Richard Egielski (Illustrator)

On the third day of Christmas, a mademoiselle from Paris sent her true love three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.The hens never arrived . . . . Colette, Poulette, and Fifi end up delivered not to Philippe Renard, but to Phil Fox from the Bronx. Phil can't believe his luck-he hasn't had a square meal in weeks, and here's a free lunch right on his doorstep! But his plans to dine on the delectable fowl are foiled as the French hens work their Christmas magic on him, proving that the spirit of the holidays can bring the most unlikely folks together.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Holiday, Fiction, Kids

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dispatched by a Parisian mademoiselle to her true love, three French hens - Colette, Poulette, and Fifi - find themselves significantly misdirected in this humorous reinterpretation of one of the verses of that favorite holiday carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas. Winding up in the Unclaimed Mail Department of the New York City Post Office, the three fowl ladies decide that, the postal service having failed them, they will deliver themselves, and set off to find their mademoiselle's true love. Assuming that "Phil Fox," whom they discover in the phone-book, must be the one (after all, his name is simply a translation of "Philippe Renard"), they present themselves on his doorstep in the Bronx. Will Phil - a down-on-his-luck fox, who hasn't eaten in some time - gobble them down? Or will he discover that sometimes, if you wait, better things come along...?

Margie Palatini has a knack for reinterpreting classic story themes in new and amusing ways, and I have enjoyed her forays into the world of Aesop's fables ( Lousy Rotten Stinkin' Grapes ), and witchy tales ( Piggie Pie! ). An amusing, lighthearted romp, Three French Hens is definitely in that same vein, offering a pleasantly revisionist take on a traditional "tale" (in as much as the song can really be considered a tale, rather than a list), while also reflecting the spirit of the season, and its ability to bring people together, against the odds. I particularly liked the revelation about the hens, at the end - very ecumenical! Recommended to Margie Palatini fans, and to all young readers who appreciate humorous holiday tales!

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is utterly delightful. The three French hens are from the Christmas song The Twelve Days of Christmas, one of my favorite Christmas songs, and the book is as fun and quirky as the song is.

The three French hens (along with days 1 and 2 birds) are sent as a gift to a true love. Unfortunately, the three hens are lost in the mail and find themselves in New York, and are determined to deliver themselves. They cannot find their intended recipient, Phiippe Renard, but they translate from French to American English and they find Phil Fox in the Bronx, and his (quite adorable) cockroach. The fox has a plan for the three hens, but hilarity (and sweetness) ensue when the three hens hatch a plan of their own.

Clever, funny, touching, and a wonderful friendship story too, this story is so much fun.

The illustrations are a hoot too. If they choose, readers could play find the cockroach on most of the pages. Each picture has so much to it, and every single illustration greatly enhances the enjoyment of the story.

And, although the title and story are definitely based on the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, this book can work equally well for a great Christmas or Hanukkah story, and can truly be enjoyed any time of the year.

This is a very creative original fairy tale, holiday book, and general picture book.

Thank you to Goodreads’ friend Kathryn, and Goodreads’ friend Abigail too, for alerting me to this gem.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the premise of this! The package of Three French Hens, on their way to the "True Love" of the sender, is misdirected to New York City and the hens proceed to try to find the home of that True Love on their own--mistakenly landing at the home of a very hungry fox! But these are French hens, after all, full of charm and style so they may stand a chance of winning over that hungry fox before he eats them up... The illustrations here are hilarious (watch for the little cockroach in every picture--possibly the cutest cockroach ever, after the one from "Wall-e"!) And, without giving too much away, this could also tie-in to Hanukkah celebrations...!

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun story to read aloud with children, especially if you can pull off a decent French accent. It starts as an homage to The Twelve Days of Christmas as three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree are mailed from Paris to New York, from a mademoiselle to her true love. The story ensues, drifting about as far away from the song as you can get, as the three hens find a way to bring some Christmas joy to a poor fox. It's a very strange story, but very fun and we enjoyed the ending as the rest of the presents from the song catch up to the hens in a celebratory scene. We had fun reading this story aloud, although I felt that I had to explain some of the French words along the way (otherwise I doubt they would have understood the Pouvons-nous entrer? Entree! joke.)

[raccoon reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute cheerful picture book about three french hens and their adventures when they get lost in the big city. There were a lot more words than I'm used to in picture books so this might better suit a child able to be patient through a reading. I also liked how they started the story even before the title page! Very cute book. :)

[Bekah Page Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a completely adorable seasonal children's story book. My daughter and I read this together several times this December. A delightful story based on the Three French Hens of the Third Day of Christmas as mentioned in the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. The true love never received the hens as they were mistakenly delivered to NYC. There they decide to deliver themselves...right to hungry, down on his luck Phil Fox. Determined to give Phil a dose of Christmas spirit the hens set about giving Phil, a makeover, a renovation, and a French feast fit for a king! All the while Phil is thinking about eating each one of the hens but doesn't have the heart to cook them up after their kindness. I won't give away the end but there is little holiday twist. The illustrations are beautifully done yet still fun! I highly recommend this book.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story. Probably a bit too sophisticated for most children, who won't get things like the clever French puns (entrer/entrée).

And of course, in the real world, chickens can only get the kosher designation when they are slaughtered.

[Reader50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely delightful book that had me laughing as I read it. An unexpected ending was a nice twist and a recognition of other holiday traditions.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelie has formally declared herself a "Kosher French Hen," and that says it all.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clever telling of one part of the 12 days of Christmas story.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When 3 French Hens get lost in the mail they take things into their own feathers. A sweet story of service.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever Christmas picture book well-suited to children who are beginning to learn French.

[fhsjkdhvkf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cute!

[Kristen McBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully silly and clever! Plus a heartwarming ending because Christmas.

[Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who said I could not include picture books? Ha ha. I just wanted to add this one, because it is so darn cute. Three French Hens were supposed to be shipped to a loved one in Paris, when the mistakenly were sent to the Bronx. They land in the crackerbox apartment of a hungry fox, who thought his string of bad luck had ended with the promise of a large dinner. The hens have other ideas, and spoil the fox with holiday cheer. The illustrations are wonderful.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A foxette (from France) sent Three French Hens through the mail to her true love, but they get stuck in the lost packages department. Being of resourceful bent, they set out to find the true love (Phillippe Renard - or Phil Fox in the Bronx).

Phil is thrilled when three "meals" walk through his door and into his sad, destitute life. The three hens turn things around for him and he finds he can't eat them because they have become his friends.

Cute illustrations.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about the 12 days of Christmas and the three French hens getting lost in the mail. So they find the fox that the gift was intended for and instead of the Fox eating them there is a fun turnaround. Not only Christmas mentioned but also Hanukkah. Would be a great class read for younger children just before Christmas. A problem and three solutions until the satisfying end.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three French hens embark on a journey to New York City and redo Mr. Fox. From his appearance, to his apartment's decor, to his groceries, all is magically changed with thanks to the three French hens. But will they become dinner after all their help?

[Vanessa Peavy · Rating 3 out of 5]

CUTE! it reminded me of the three little pigs and of course the "12 days of Christmas" song. This is an awesome book in my opinion. To make this book even more fun and exciting , when reading aloud try to use a french accent or dress like a person from paris with a beret on your head.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* I like the story of friendship. I admit, that I'm a little baffled about why the hens would actually bother to be friends with him unconditionally, as they state at the end, but overlooking that bit, it is a lovely tale of care-giving and acceptance.

[Jenn Swanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a story that I will have to revisit when Christmas comes a little closer. The story had a good message and the illustrations were good as well. My daughter seemed to enjoy this story. Would recommend.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas/Hanukkah delight that will bring a smile.

[Sarah]

Cute and witty story of three french hens who end up in undelivered mail in New York.

[Catherine Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun read from a favourite author.

[Miri Gifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud at the end of this book. So clever, so original. And the hens—who are SO French—are a lot of fun. One of my new favorites.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

An even better Palatini holiday book than Mooseltoe. Very enjoyable.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, but there is a lot that would be over kids' heads.

[Tegan]

Cute little story. Enjoyed the illustrations.

[Marlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful story of kindness and friendship during the holiday season.

[Marianne C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super cute holiday tale that begs to be read out loud with an assortment of accents. Trust me, your kindergarten class with love it (I know mine did!)