The Featherless Chicken

by Chih-Yuan Chen

Filled with envy, our hero tries to join the other chickens in the yard, but they turn him down, ridiculing him for his bare skin. When he discovers a creative camouflage for his paltry plumage, however, the other chickens allow him to join them on a boat ride, never expecting that a surprising accident will change the way they all see themselves.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Birds, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jennifer B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious!

[Kristen Thorp · Rating 3 out of 5]

159/365

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was alright.

[Ham · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked much about the pictures.
The story, however, was a tired moral fable about being yourself.
(What kind of crap are they teaching kids these days?)

And if the title of the book is "The Featherless Chicken", wouldn't you think the author/illustrator would want to make it look...well...featherless? He's brown. With shading that looks suspiciously like feathers.

Then again the author is foreign. Maybe it's a translation problem.

Or maybe he thought actually painting a naked chicken would offend someone.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chen's book follows a featherless chicken in its attempt to fit in and make friends. This book would be a great read aloud to talk about being yourself and the importance of friendship. Students could use this book to make personal connections to life events they have experienced or witnessed. This book is the perfect length for a read aloud and has great, durable pages with cute illustrations.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An introspective look at bullies, acceptance, and a lot of tom-foolery. When a featherless chicken is shunned by his peers, he's sad, but carries on. When the environmental elements 'help' him with a disguise, the other chickens decide he is worthy. But, when they are all 'exposed', they realize that they are the same. Self-acceptance is glorious!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is incredibly sweet.
It's lesson is veiled and does not slap a kid right in the face.
The artwork is amazing, I'd like to blow up some of these illustrations and hang them in my living room.

[Nelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comical story of one chicken's attempt to blend in that does an excellent job of illustrating the importance of being yourself. Great artwork + layouts. An all-around wonderful book.

Out of 5.

Illustrations : 5
Content : 5
Originality : 5
Humor : 5
Age Level : 0-100

[kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the art in this book, from the font to the illustration, down to the weight and texture of the paper. The story is funny too. The more we hide, the more we are all trying to be something that isn't real, and the more disconnected we become.

[Lyndsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about inclusion with fantastic writing and illustrations. This book was a favourite, and the message is easily digestible.

[Skylar Burris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like the pictures at first, but they grew on me. The typewritter font was distracting. It's a cute, silly sort of story.

[N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really nice quality book about a chicken who is allergic to feathers. Super heavy luxurious paper and great paint strokes.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A featherless chicken is born and scorned by the other chickens, until their secret is out! Illustrations truly are art--and make the story.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, modern illustrations. Interesting story line. Nothing to rave about, but decent overall.

[Brandielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the art!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding modern fable about not being embarrassed about our own "failings," because others certainly have their own.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read aloud. It grew on me. I was in an open mood.