Chook Chook: Mei's Secret Pets

Mei's Chooks #1

by Wai Chim

They were the fuzziest, funniest and most finely feathered baby chooks I had ever seen.

A heartfelt tale of love, loss and the power of kindness set against the backdrop of rural China.

132 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Wai Chim grew up in New York City and now calls Sydney, Australia home. She is the author of several children and young adult titles. You can find her online at waichim.com or on twitter @onewpc.

Reviews

[Lara Cain Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sydney-based Wai Chim grew up in New York in a family who only spoke Chinese at home. She draws on her parents’ stories of life in the semi-rural parts of China and Hong Kong for her unique children’s books about young Mei and her pet chooks, Little and Lo. In the first book, Chook Chook: Mei’s Secret Pets we learn about the struggles of Mei’s family after the loss of her father to an unnamed illness. Her mother is loving, but hard working, practical and preoccupied, and Mei is a little at sea finding her feet within the changing family environment. Mei rescues two fluffy chickens from a snake in the garden and immediately appoints herself their carer and guardian.
Unfortunately, since her animal-loving father passed away, Mei’s mother has had a firm ‘no pets’ rule on the farm and Mei faces a heart-warming and humorous adventure to keep her pets safe from her mother and the gruesome One-Eyed Butcher! She is clever and creative with the methods she devises to keep the chickens from harm. As her story unfolds, we get a charming glimpse into rural Chinese life, including traditional foods, the hustle and bustle of the local markets, and the hardships of life on the land. At the same time, the basic themes around love, family, growing up, and making sense of the adult world are universal. The chickens are used symbolically to represent Mei’s insecurities and her longing to maintain a connection with her father. I was genuinely moved by the last page where one of Little’s eggs pops open with a ‘peep’ and we know there is hope for a brighter future for Mei and her family.

A full review of this book can be read at http://thischarmingmum.com

[Sapphire Purcell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wai Chim's 'Chook Chook: Mei's Secret Pets' is best described as charming. I enjoyed every moment of reading about Mei and her adventures with her chickens. 'Chook Chook' is a short and easy read without coming across as soulless or dumbed-down. I would recommend it as a good "My first novel" kind of book. Children and their parents can enjoy 'Chook Chook' together.

The narration has this great child-like voice that adds to authenticity. The only criticism I have for either the plot or the writing is that Wai Chim relies on adverbs too often and one awkward adverb too many can interrupt the flow of the narration.

But as far as children's literature goes, you could do a whole lot worse than 'Chook Chook' and I definitely see a place for 'Chook Chook' on the shelves in schools and homes everywhere.

[Kylie Westaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a gorgeous book - beautifully written and a wonderful story. It gives readers a glimpse into life in rural China while still having characters that children can relate to.

Wai Chim has a deft hand with narrative and her characters are vivid and real. I was completely engrossed in the story and in wondering how Mei was going to be able to keep her chooks!

I would recommend this to any younger reader and I think it would be an excellent book for primary school classes.

A funny, heart-warming and exciting story.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chook Chook Mei’s Secret Pets by Wai Chim – Realistic Fiction, Multicultural, 2nd grade and up – this was a quick beautiful story set in rural China about a family recovering from the loss of a father, an innovative girl, and the luck she has finding two little baby chicks in the bushes near her house. Just loved how Wai Chim was able to shift back and forth between upsetting scenes with a snake, barber, and then shift to lovely brother sister and mother/daughter scenes as well. Special little powerful book.

[Mac Liang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming story about a young girl in rural china. Ms Chim paints a very descriptive picture of life on the family farm. Chinese readers will be delighted to find references to familiar peasant foods like congee and salty fish.
A funny, thrilling, and touching adventure. Highly recommended for all readers, especially the young ones.

[Sarah Begg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a gorgeous story! Very well written book which teaches some valuable life lessons while depicting a beautiful glimpse of life in rural China from a child's point of view. Original and heart warming - would definitely recommend this!

[Hannah Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, heartwarming tale for children. Will be buying another copy for my niece.

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully told first book in trilogy about Mei a young Chinese girl in rural China who has secret pet chooks from her mother. The story is great, and the characters are really good as well, Mei the title character is beautiful and charming with the right amount of ability to be rebellious and do wrong as any one of us.
A great read, and I look forward to the next book in the trilogy.

[D.C. Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in rural China, Chook Chook: Mei’s Secret Pets begins when young Mei secretly adopts two chickens (baby chooks) soon after the death of her father (even though she knows her mother would not approve). Beautifully written and full of heart, humour and engaging characters, this is a wonderfully warm story, perfect for primary school children. Plus: dancing chooks!

[Chun Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt story - a great read.

[Ashley Jane Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who thought chickens could be so much fun!

[Mrs Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely story of friendship, adventure and humour.