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A Hen for Izzy Pippik(Hardback) - 2012 Edition
When Shaina finds a magnificent hen, she knows that Izzy Pippik, the hen's owner, is sure to return for her. In the meantime, Shaina decides she will care for the animal. But when dozens of eggs hatch and rowdy chickens scatter throughout the village, Shaina must fight the entire town if she has any hope of protecting the birds. Inspired by Jewish and Islamic traditional texts, this is a beautiful tale about doing the right thing, even in the face of adversity.Book Hardcover Publication 3/1/2012 32 Reading Age 4 and Up
Unknown Binding
First published March 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Aubrey Davis
12 books44 followersI always loved to read. As a boy I had a passion for myths, bible stories, science fiction and Mad magazine. My neighbor was a writer for CBC. Maybe I caught the writing bug from him. I loved to write funny stories. My Grade six teacher liked them. But my Grade eight teacher hated them. So I stopped writing creatively until I was 42.
In 1970, I traveled across Europe and North Africa and discovered a remarkable collection of traditional Teaching stories by Afghan writer Idries Shah. These bottomless tales puzzled, shocked and delighted me. They helped me see the world and myself in fresh, new ways. They made me think like I’d never thought before.
In 1980, I began to tell them, first to my own children, then at weekly gatherings in Toronto. Later I told stories on radio and television, and in schools, libraries and festivals across North America. I created an oral language program for developmentally disabled children. I taught them language through story. They taught me how to tell and write simply and dramatically.
One day I was invited to tell a Chanukah tale to a large and very young audience. I couldn’t find a story I liked. In desperation I wrote one myself. The children loved it and so did Kids Can Press. That’s how Bone Button Borscht was born.
Over the years, I’ve worked as a logger, farmer, salesman and teacher. Now I write and tell stories.
My book, Bagels from Benny, has won may awards including the Sydney Taylor Award and the Canadian Jewish Book Awards Children’s Literature Prize. I have also written the screenplay for Sheldon Cohen’s animated film, The Three Wishes was published in October 2011 as Kishka For Koppel (Orca). My most recent book is A Hen for Izzy Pippik (Kids Can Press),Une Poule pour Izzy Pippik (Editions Scholastic).
In 1970, I traveled across Europe and North Africa and discovered a remarkable collection of traditional Teaching stories by Afghan writer Idries Shah. These bottomless tales puzzled, shocked and delighted me. They helped me see the world and myself in fresh, new ways. They made me think like I’d never thought before.
In 1980, I began to tell them, first to my own children, then at weekly gatherings in Toronto. Later I told stories on radio and television, and in schools, libraries and festivals across North America. I created an oral language program for developmentally disabled children. I taught them language through story. They taught me how to tell and write simply and dramatically.
One day I was invited to tell a Chanukah tale to a large and very young audience. I couldn’t find a story I liked. In desperation I wrote one myself. The children loved it and so did Kids Can Press. That’s how Bone Button Borscht was born.
Over the years, I’ve worked as a logger, farmer, salesman and teacher. Now I write and tell stories.
My book, Bagels from Benny, has won may awards including the Sydney Taylor Award and the Canadian Jewish Book Awards Children’s Literature Prize. I have also written the screenplay for Sheldon Cohen’s animated film, The Three Wishes was published in October 2011 as Kishka For Koppel (Orca). My most recent book is A Hen for Izzy Pippik (Kids Can Press),Une Poule pour Izzy Pippik (Editions Scholastic).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 25, 2019
Sweet story of a young girl who finds a stray hen. After discovering that the hen belongs to someone named Izzy Pippik, she insists that the chicken MUST be kept for her rightful owner . . . even though others in the community are dreaming of fresh eggs and roast pullet. Marie Lafrance's illustrations are utterly charming, and really add to the tale.
November 11, 2018
I didn't like this one much. The illustrations are probably the strongest part; the story didn't impress me at all.
A little girl named Shaina, unemployed due to a downturn in the economy (why is this book promoting child labour?), finds a hen and a crate with the owner's name on it. She convinces her mother and grandfather to let her keep the hen in the house until the owner, Izzy Pippik, comes back to claim her. Of course, the stupid bird goes and has a whole bunch of babies, and the house is soon overrun by chickens (why is this book promoting irresponsible animal husbandry?); I don't blame the mother at all for wanting all those crapping, squawking birds out of her house. Soon, the birds multiply and overrun the town, and the people complain... until, of course, it benefits them by stimulating the economy (why is this book promoting a town covered in chicken droppings as a tourist attraction?). Of course, Izzy Pippik finally returns, and (of course) he lets Shaina keep the hen... at which point, the girl bursts into tears; she's been so obsessed with doing the "right" thing that she can't even appreciate it when Izzy gives her a gift.
On top of all that, this is one of those books that likes to use words like "frowned" and "sneered" as dialogue tags. Sorry... but that's an instant loss of a star from me. I've come to expect it in novels (unfortunately), but I absolutely loathe seeing it in children's books. How are we teaching children proper sentence structure and grammar if their books are filled with such errors?
Check this one out for the pictures, but don't expect too much from the story (which also seemed a bit long for a picture book; there's quite a bit of text on every page, so it would take a while to read out loud).
Quotable moment:
A little girl named Shaina, unemployed due to a downturn in the economy (why is this book promoting child labour?), finds a hen and a crate with the owner's name on it. She convinces her mother and grandfather to let her keep the hen in the house until the owner, Izzy Pippik, comes back to claim her. Of course, the stupid bird goes and has a whole bunch of babies, and the house is soon overrun by chickens (why is this book promoting irresponsible animal husbandry?); I don't blame the mother at all for wanting all those crapping, squawking birds out of her house. Soon, the birds multiply and overrun the town, and the people complain... until, of course, it benefits them by stimulating the economy (why is this book promoting a town covered in chicken droppings as a tourist attraction?). Of course, Izzy Pippik finally returns, and (of course) he lets Shaina keep the hen... at which point, the girl bursts into tears; she's been so obsessed with doing the "right" thing that she can't even appreciate it when Izzy gives her a gift.
On top of all that, this is one of those books that likes to use words like "frowned" and "sneered" as dialogue tags. Sorry... but that's an instant loss of a star from me. I've come to expect it in novels (unfortunately), but I absolutely loathe seeing it in children's books. How are we teaching children proper sentence structure and grammar if their books are filled with such errors?
Check this one out for the pictures, but don't expect too much from the story (which also seemed a bit long for a picture book; there's quite a bit of text on every page, so it would take a while to read out loud).
Quotable moment:
March 31, 2012
I think I need a "chicken" shelf. I love chicken books so! When an honest little girl keeps a lost chicken until its owner returns, her town becomes overrun by chickens with unexpected results. Delightful illustrations.
August 13, 2019
My son and I enjoyed this story that highlights the value of integrity. It's a little on the longer side for reading aloud, but it was worth the time. It's adorable.
March 14, 2024
I was drawn into the book based on the cover. The illustrations are beautiful.
I liked that she knew to do the right thing and try to find the chicken’s owner. She knew the animal was not hers to keep, that it was lost and must belong to someone. Everyone did not believe her when she said that Izzy Pippik would be back for his chicken, and I’m glad she was headstrong and remained hopeful, it proved it was worth it in the end as Izzy Pippik came back. These are good values to put into a kid’s book.
The story is a bit bleak for children. Her family suggesting to eat the chicken and it’s egg it made. Her mom was very angry. The townsfolk suggesting to eat the chickens, chasing them - “with hot, hungry eyes”. I felt some of the word choices could’ve been less complex for a children’s book and the length cut down a bit. I don’t think I would give this as a gift or recommend.
Thank you Kids Can Press and Netgalley for an ARC!
I liked that she knew to do the right thing and try to find the chicken’s owner. She knew the animal was not hers to keep, that it was lost and must belong to someone. Everyone did not believe her when she said that Izzy Pippik would be back for his chicken, and I’m glad she was headstrong and remained hopeful, it proved it was worth it in the end as Izzy Pippik came back. These are good values to put into a kid’s book.
The story is a bit bleak for children. Her family suggesting to eat the chicken and it’s egg it made. Her mom was very angry. The townsfolk suggesting to eat the chickens, chasing them - “with hot, hungry eyes”. I felt some of the word choices could’ve been less complex for a children’s book and the length cut down a bit. I don’t think I would give this as a gift or recommend.
Thank you Kids Can Press and Netgalley for an ARC!
February 5, 2024
Honest, kind-hearted Shaina finds the most beautiful hen and discovers that she fell off the truck of Izzy Pippik. Times are hard in the shtetl where she lives with her mother, grandfather and baby brother, but Shaina persuades her family to keep the hen — just until Izzy Pippik returns.
Well, while waiting for Izzy’s return, quite a bit happens with the lovely hen Shaina names Yevka. (The book doesn’t say, but Yevka means “life” in Russian.) Readers won’t want to miss any of Shaina’s adventures with Yevka, as they both bring life to the village!
Here’s a dilemma: Which is more wonderful? Aubrey Davis’ prose, or Marie Lafrance’s illustrations? Thank heaven, I don’t have to decide, as I adored them both!
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Kids Can Press in exchange for an honest review.
Well, while waiting for Izzy’s return, quite a bit happens with the lovely hen Shaina names Yevka. (The book doesn’t say, but Yevka means “life” in Russian.) Readers won’t want to miss any of Shaina’s adventures with Yevka, as they both bring life to the village!
Here’s a dilemma: Which is more wonderful? Aubrey Davis’ prose, or Marie Lafrance’s illustrations? Thank heaven, I don’t have to decide, as I adored them both!
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Kids Can Press in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2024
"Based on an ancient tale from the Babylonian Talmud, and the Hadith of the Prophet Mohammed, this story of an honest and steadfast girl will inspire young and old alike to look within, wifhout, and beyond."
from the back page
I am pretty sure I cannot say anything more about this book that isn't written above, except to exclaim excitedly about the delightful illustrations; they are just so fantastic and add to the words that are telling the story - indeed, sometimes the illustrations tell the story almost better than words. Finely drawn and colored with light, bright colors, the ones who are reading this will find so much more of the story within these illustrations.
This is just magnificent, and I highly recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Aubrey Davis, Maria Lagrange - Illustrator and Kids Can Press for providing this ARC in exchange for while honest review.
from the back page
I am pretty sure I cannot say anything more about this book that isn't written above, except to exclaim excitedly about the delightful illustrations; they are just so fantastic and add to the words that are telling the story - indeed, sometimes the illustrations tell the story almost better than words. Finely drawn and colored with light, bright colors, the ones who are reading this will find so much more of the story within these illustrations.
This is just magnificent, and I highly recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Aubrey Davis, Maria Lagrange - Illustrator and Kids Can Press for providing this ARC in exchange for while honest review.
May 17, 2019
I liked this. Super cute about a girl who wants to do the right thing and sticks to her convictions.
August 10, 2017
Funny and attractive pictures drew me in, along with the musicality of "izzy pippik". Since I read the book alone - yeah, yeah, my sons are grown and I still read picture books because I believe they're a high art form - I only imagined the conversations with young children this book might inspire. How do economies revive? How much truth is too much truth? And did the chickens get eaten?
Lots of potential here...but nonetheless only three stars because the storytelling didn't quite pull together.
Lots of potential here...but nonetheless only three stars because the storytelling didn't quite pull together.
July 6, 2018
I love the illustrations. I found myself, unexplainably, hating the story. Not even exactly sure why, I guess it just rubbed me the wrong way? I dunno. Something about how the kid is just so damned sure she's right that she won't even listen to the guy who owns the hen when he gives it to her.
But the drawings are great.
But the drawings are great.
November 17, 2020
Copyright Year: 2012
Theme(s): Integrity
A Hen for Izzy Pippik is a great multicultural book that talks about why it's important to always do the right thing. This could be used as an SEL building block in the classroom.
Theme(s): Integrity
A Hen for Izzy Pippik is a great multicultural book that talks about why it's important to always do the right thing. This could be used as an SEL building block in the classroom.
January 31, 2024
This is a cute picture book about what happens when a chicken is left in a town by accident, and somehow manages to lay fertilized eggs, which hatch and grow.
Shaina finds the hen, and also sees the box that she fell out of with the name of her owners, Izzy Pippik. She decides she is going to protect the hens, until her owner can return.
The chickens, and their chickens take over the town, like the wild chickens of Oahu, Hawaii. They, like in Hawaii, become tourist attractions, and so people come from out of town to see them, and spend money in town. Everyone is happy.
Until Izzy comes back for his hen, and Shaina realizes that she doesn’t want to give the hen back, because she loves her so much. And Izzy sees that, and says that she is hers, and leaves.
This is a cute story, if you can suspend your disbelief and believe that a chicken somehow was still fertilized after traveling from where she came from. Also, the hen is drawn much like a rooster, but I will give that a pass, because roosters are very pretty,and who knows, perhaps there are some hens that look more like rooster.
So, if you over look those two things, and realize it is a story about doing the right thing, then you will enjoy this cute story, and not be as picky as I am.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 7th of May 2o24.
Shaina finds the hen, and also sees the box that she fell out of with the name of her owners, Izzy Pippik. She decides she is going to protect the hens, until her owner can return.
The chickens, and their chickens take over the town, like the wild chickens of Oahu, Hawaii. They, like in Hawaii, become tourist attractions, and so people come from out of town to see them, and spend money in town. Everyone is happy.
Until Izzy comes back for his hen, and Shaina realizes that she doesn’t want to give the hen back, because she loves her so much. And Izzy sees that, and says that she is hers, and leaves.
This is a cute story, if you can suspend your disbelief and believe that a chicken somehow was still fertilized after traveling from where she came from. Also, the hen is drawn much like a rooster, but I will give that a pass, because roosters are very pretty,and who knows, perhaps there are some hens that look more like rooster.
So, if you over look those two things, and realize it is a story about doing the right thing, then you will enjoy this cute story, and not be as picky as I am.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 7th of May 2o24.
December 8, 2023
Reviewed in honour of it hitting paperback, this proved a very nice little fable. A girl is startled to find her day interrupted by a chicken of some notable colour – a chicken her family is already mentally cooking, until she finds a crate with a name on that it must have fallen out of. She protects the chicken for the person who will surely come back to collect it – and then ends up protecting the whole town square-ful of the bird's offspring, for the same claimant. At first people hate the birds and their noise and mess, but when the town realises this is tourist paydirt they are more determined than the girl that the birds are staying. And it's then that the owner turns up…
The text is in a style both classical and very relatable, allowing all-comers to see the merits of the story's ins and outs. The visuals are lively and well done, too, adding a touch of agelessness to proceedings, as it could have been playing out any time in the last century, more or less. It's a warm, slightly unlikely little piece, and one worth recommending – a strong four stars.
The text is in a style both classical and very relatable, allowing all-comers to see the merits of the story's ins and outs. The visuals are lively and well done, too, adding a touch of agelessness to proceedings, as it could have been playing out any time in the last century, more or less. It's a warm, slightly unlikely little piece, and one worth recommending – a strong four stars.
June 4, 2024
Thank you to the author, Kids Can Press and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting this review, I had a bit too much going on.
This children's book has wonderful illustrations, and the story is based on an old folk tale about a girl who finds and cares for a chicken, determined to keep her until her owner comes back to claim her. Gradually, the town becomes overpopulated with chickens, as they continue to produce chicks. The story is not realistic, but then it doesn't need to be. However, I did find it cycled a bit hard between strangely OTT positivity and bleakness like suggesting the chickens should be eaten. It's a bit long for a bedtime story, and raised questions from the kids I read this with that I had trouble answering (see "story not realistic").
This children's book has wonderful illustrations, and the story is based on an old folk tale about a girl who finds and cares for a chicken, determined to keep her until her owner comes back to claim her. Gradually, the town becomes overpopulated with chickens, as they continue to produce chicks. The story is not realistic, but then it doesn't need to be. However, I did find it cycled a bit hard between strangely OTT positivity and bleakness like suggesting the chickens should be eaten. It's a bit long for a bedtime story, and raised questions from the kids I read this with that I had trouble answering (see "story not realistic").
January 30, 2024
A Hen for Izzy Pippik by Aubrey Davis, Marie Lafrance
A sweet and heart-warming story of a little girl and hen.
Shaina has a good heart. She found a lost hen and decided to keep the hen until the owner returned. I like seeing Shaina to insist to keep the hen, no matter how her mother opposes to the idea. The story starts with people are going to eat the hen and the eggs, then thank to the insistence of Shaina, the town is prosperous again!
This storybook has a powerful effect to teach young readers to insist what is right and keep doing it!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Kids Can Press and the author for my copy.
Pub date: May 7, 2024
A sweet and heart-warming story of a little girl and hen.
Shaina has a good heart. She found a lost hen and decided to keep the hen until the owner returned. I like seeing Shaina to insist to keep the hen, no matter how her mother opposes to the idea. The story starts with people are going to eat the hen and the eggs, then thank to the insistence of Shaina, the town is prosperous again!
This storybook has a powerful effect to teach young readers to insist what is right and keep doing it!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Kids Can Press and the author for my copy.
Pub date: May 7, 2024
January 23, 2024
This little story brought a tear to my eye. Izzy's village is going through a hard time but when she finds someone else's hen, she knows it's her responsibility to care for her. The hen has babies and more babies and the town grows to love them, so when the owner finally comes back the hen and her family belong there. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this. The pictures are gorgeous and the use of color is amazing, this book is a real pleasure.
January 23, 2024
This was so much fun! I loved the strong ethics of the little girl in the story. Sometimes it’s not easy to do the right thing when nobody around you supports you. What a great lesson for kids! The story was told in such an innocent way, it was really perfect. The illustrations were so pretty and colorful. Every page was rich with texture. I loved everything about this book. 5 stars!
Thank you for the eARC!
Thank you for the eARC!
March 6, 2024
This story is so wonderful. It is about a girl who finds this beautiful chicken and decides to keep the chicken safe until her owner returns. The chicken populates and ends up turning the town around after some grumbling from the citizens. Eventually, the owner returns and the Izzy is rewarded for her wonderful heart. The story was a wonderful surprise, I enjoyed it and I know children would also.
January 23, 2024
This tale encourages standing firm in doing what is right no matter the circumstances. I am unfamiliar with the traditional texts this story is inspired by, however, I wonder whether the protagonist was actually right in pushing back against the community. The illustrations effectively reflect each scene.
Thank you NetGalley and Kids Can Press for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Kids Can Press for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
February 29, 2024
Very sweet story with illustrations that perfectly match the tone of the prose. It interwove the importance of honesty and integrity with some humour which I really enjoyed.
Overall, I feel like it was really well done and a lovely read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC
Overall, I feel like it was really well done and a lovely read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC
September 26, 2024
I loved this book - it was a pleasure to read.
The story was great and it was very well written, I loved the natural slow to the story.
The illustrations really suit the story and they are perfect to bring the book to life.
The messages from the story and brilliant and it is a really positive story with a great ending.
It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!
The story was great and it was very well written, I loved the natural slow to the story.
The illustrations really suit the story and they are perfect to bring the book to life.
The messages from the story and brilliant and it is a really positive story with a great ending.
It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!
August 4, 2017
Ha! 3.5 stars. A funny little story about a little girl who insists on doing the right think when everyone around her tries to push her otherwise. That sounds serious, but there are a LOT of chickens in this book, so it's really very humorous.
January 31, 2021
I’m so glad they didn’t eat the chickens haha. And the chicken-less soup recipe in the back was a nice touch. I love the values of taking care of one another’s property and taking care of animals. A nice story about a smart and kind girl!
July 26, 2018
The illustrations in this are adorable! The story is a bit weird though. Maybe because it's based on a cultural story/proverb with which I'm not familiar.
June 14, 2019
A charming retelling of an old folktale.
November 5, 2019
Not a chicken fan, but the illustrations are worth noting....
July 9, 2020
The artwork in this book is very good and super cute.
February 5, 2023
A sweet story about a little girl finding a chicken and trying to return it to the owner. Beautiful artwork and lovely story!
October 25, 2013
The first thing that attracted me to this book was its title – what a great name, Izzy Pippik! What clinched it is when I saw its author – Aubrey Davis. I just had to get my hands on it. A retelling from “the Babylonian Talmud and the Hadith of the Prophet Mohammed”, Aubrey Davis, an excellent writer, is in my opinion the best reteller of tales there is.
Who knew, in Shaina’s town, where times are tough and people have little to spend, that a hen come pecking at Shaina’s toe is about to turn things around?
BEEYAK! A hen of emerald feathers and golden speckles! Shaina finds a sign which reads: IZZY PIPPIK: CHICKENS AND EGGS.
“We can’t eat her!” she tells her parents. “She belongs to Izzy Pippik!”
Everyone waits for Izzy. Months pass, but no Izzy to claim the hen. No Izzy to claim its eggs. Or its chicks. Or their chicks, or their chicks. And in the meanwhile, Shaina’s mama is disgruntled, and the townsfolk, hot and hungry, eye the hundreds of chickens flapping around in the market. But Shaina holds firm. They are Izzy Pippik’s chickens.
She is labelled “a hard-headed nuissance,“ but drawn to the sight of such a flock, curious sightseers roll in by the busload. They leave with shopping bags bursting with merchandise. This is great business! The townsfolk change their tune.
“Your chickens make us so happy,” they sing. What a shock when Izzy Pippik arrives!
“Please don’t take our chickens! They’ve brought us such good fortune!” they holler.
Whose chickens are they? The town’s or Izzy’s?
Ilustrated in soft greens and blues by Quebec illustrator Marie Lafrance, she’s created a fresh and appealing world, a nice complement to this gentle tale about doing the right thing even when it isn’t popular.
March 15, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy!
The message of honesty gets a bit lost in the toxic positivity - especially when Shaina gets weirdly upset at the end when everything works out in the best possible way. Great illustrations, though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews