The Secret Chicken Club

by George Shannon, Deborah Zemke (Illustrator)

When Debbie the cow learns of the Secret Chicken Club, she is inspired to start a Secret Cow Club. Of course, she is the only cow on the farm, and even Debbie knows you cannot have a club with only one member. Could she join the chickens' club? "Heavens no," clucks Blanche, the club president, "it's only for chickens." And so a wacky series of events ensues as one by one the animals on the farmthe goat, the sheep, the duckjoin the Secret Chicken Clubor do they?George Shannon's gentle tongue-in-cheek humor and Deborah Zemke's delightfully comic pictures once again combine to create a club all young readers will clamor to join.

Genres: Picture Books, Juvenile, Humor, Storytime, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 27, 2005

About the author

George Shannon is a popular storyteller and former children's librarian whose many notable picture books include Tomorrow's Alphabet, Lizard's Guest, and White Is for Blueberry. Tippy-Toe Chick, Go!, illustrated by Laura Dronzek, was named a Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book. George Shannon lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Reviews

[Anthony]

Three silly short tales of life on the Wise Acres farm. Debbie the dancing cow longs to join the Secret Chicken Club, and must pass a series of tests to become a member. Doug the rooster goes in search of some brain food, and Debbie hires Stella the ace detective to help her find her stolen tin beak. Never a dull moment on Wise Acres farm.

[The Brothers]

A funny series of stories about how some barnyard chickens have formed a club and what happens with the rest of the farm animals. The chicken noodle soup story was particularly funny, because the rooster thought chicken noodle soup was for enhancing chicken's noodles - i.e. their brains. So he set off to get himself some until he was set straight by some sympathetic friends.

Great illustrations.

[Dolly]

This is a strange and silly story about a secret club in the barnyard. The illustrations are colorful and fun and the narrative begs to be read aloud in different voices. The onomatopoeia and dialogue are very humorous. We enjoyed reading this together.

[Jared]

This book is absolutely amazing. I laughed so hard I almost cried. It has just the sort of quirky humor that I love.

[Carmen]

I use the story of Debbie the cow sometimes when I preach about hospitality and membership.

[Linse]

Read this to first graders this week. The turker has to explain to the rooster what is in chicken noodle soup. He though sure it would make his noodle sharper...

[Joan Galat]

Great idea but presentation disjointed. I can't see a five year old following the story line.

[Jen]

this is kind of like 3 separate stories in one book. I think the first would be the funniest to read aloud.

[Amber]

"oh!"
As long as you know the password, they'll let ANYONE be a member of the secret chicken club!
Three short little stories. One and three were good but the second one was the best!

[Beverly]

very funny!