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Chick-o-Saurus Rex

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A bullied little chicken discovers his inner strength along with some surprising dinosaur ancestry in this farmyard tale with huge heart.Little Chick just wants to belong, but the bullies of the barnyard—Little Donkey, Little Pig, and Little Sheep—won’t let him play in their tree house because he is a chicken, and chickens are not strong and brave. Little Chick sees their What have chickens done besides invent the chicken dance and cross the road? But when his father shows Little Chick the family photo album, he learns something He is related to the gigantic and ferocious Tyrannosaurus rex! Armed with this new knowledge, Little Chick returns to the tree house just in time to rescue the bullies from a scary wolf—and prove that strength and bravery have nothing to do with size.

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2013

2 people are currently reading
67 people want to read

About the author

Lenore Jennewein

1 book3 followers

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5 stars
49 (16%)
4 stars
101 (34%)
3 stars
116 (39%)
2 stars
21 (7%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Profile Image for Steph Sinclair.
461 reviews11.3k followers
January 13, 2014
I had the awesome opportunity to meet the authors at my local children’s bookstore and it was one of the best signings I went to! I love the illustrations and how bright the colors are. The story follows a chicken who wants to be mighty to fit in and, in the process, finds out he’s related to the T-Rex. Plus, Daniel drew this adorable illustration in our book:

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Profile Image for Urbandale Library.
364 reviews16 followers
May 7, 2018
Reasons others should read this book:
1. The chick saved the bullies from the wolf.
2. Be kind to others.
3. Everyone has a superpower.
4. Chicken is the T-Rex's closest living relative.
5. All boys and girls who like dinosaurs will like this story book.

Submitted by Urbandale Library patron Madhav K. (Age 6)
Profile Image for Beth.
3,097 reviews229 followers
July 16, 2013
Little Chick wants to join the "cool kids" in the tree house, but in order to be allowed entry, he must first prove he is strong and brave. The tree house bullies scoff at his cock-a-doodle-doo and declare that no chickens are allowed.

Dejected, Little Chick asks his dad what their family has done that is strong and brave and they soon stumble upon a discovery that just might allow him access into the tree house.

A fun, cute picture book with a good message and a little science hidden in there for good measure. :)
Profile Image for Barbara.
15.4k reviews314 followers
August 28, 2013
Little Chick is eager to play in the tree house with the other animals, but they insult his ancestry and won't let him play with them. When he looks to his father for examples of past deeds of glory by his predecessors, he learns of an ancestor buried near the farm. More investigating and digging reveal a very large ancestor. He uses one of its bones to scare off a wolf who has trapped the bullies in a tree. Youngsters will enjoy this book as a read aloud, filled as it is with a hint of science, great messages about self-esteem, bullies, and accompanied by lively digital illustrations.
Profile Image for Joy.
602 reviews29 followers
January 25, 2014
Little chicken isn't allowed in the tree house with the other "brave" animals. After being humiliated by the donkey, pig, and sheep he goes to find out what chickens can do to be mighty too. Chicken discovers he is related to the mightiest animal of all- the tyrannosaurus rex. and saves his former bullies. Bright pictures complement the story. Includes an author's note about how birds and dinosaurs really are closely related. 3.5 stars.
Profile Image for Slytano.
243 reviews14 followers
November 1, 2013
I wish, that just once, the wolf would eat the animals in the end. It is a wonderful idea that a chicken can somehow manage to dig deep into its ancestral, Jurassic roots to fend off some canine danger…but your kid will get treated like steak if they attempt this sort of thing.
Profile Image for Maggie Mattmiller.
1,260 reviews23 followers
November 29, 2015
Not everything I was hoping for, but it was a cute story. I like a journey to discover yourself (and ancestry) but I would also like to think the chick was a great "person" from the beginning, and doesn't need to be related to dinosaurs. I know, I know. I'm reading too much into it. Cute story.
11 reviews
October 10, 2017
Summary: This book centers around three bullies: little pig, little sheep and little donkey who refuse to let little chicken into their treehouse. They constantly tell the little chicken that he is not brave or mighty enough to be a part of the club. Little chicken then goes looking into his ancestry to try and find something that would make him brave and mighty enough to play in the treehouse. The little chick and his father come to the realization that they are related to the great Tyrannosaurus Rex. The little chicken feels so powerful and returns to the tree house just in time to save the three bullies from the wolf. He proves to the three that size and strength have nothing to do with bravery.

Themes: Bravery and bullying are the two main themes that shine throughout this entire book. As you follow the little chicken through his journey you learn about his bravery and ability to believe in himself. He helps others even after they had bullied him, and pushed him away. Little chick shows courage, and ultimately ends up proving that size is not any indicator of bravery. The three bullies in this book allow readers to experience the isolation that little chick is feeling. Young children who read this book can see how bullying can affect others and their feelings.

Personal Reaction: I love this book, and read it to the kids I nanny all the time. It shows little ones that if you believe in yourself then there is no reason to let others bring you down. It also shows that it is not okay to judge other people, because you never know who they actually are. I wish that I had read a book like this when I was younger.

Recommendation: I would most definitely recommend this book. The characters are farm animals, which all kids understand and love. The pictures fit the story perfectly, and are filled with bright colors and details that draw readers in. It puts in meaningful messages that are very valuable for everyone. Not only that but it shows all children who don’t think they are big enough or brave enough that they can be strong and powerful.
Profile Image for Melanie Hetrick.
4,736 reviews52 followers
January 27, 2021
Little Chick wants to play with the other barnyard children (lamb, donkey, pig, etc) but they tell him that unless he can prove that his ancestors did something tough, he wasn't welcome. So Little Chick asks around the chicken coop about ancestors. He convinces Rooster to go looking for bones that his grandfather once unearthed. They end up digging up a Trex, which, as back matter will tell you, is actually related to the chicken. Little Chick takes a bone back to the treehouse to show the other animals, only to find them all threatened by a wolf.

Children will enjoy interacting with this one. Recommended for storytime.
Profile Image for Pam.
10.1k reviews57 followers
September 22, 2019
Chicken wants to play in the treehouse but is told he's not brave enough. He does his family research and discovers he's related to T-rexes. When he gets back to the tree, he sees the wolf trying to get the "brave" other animals who are cowering in the treehouse. Chicken definitely shows his bravery and chases off the wolf. From that point forward, all animals are welcome in the club.
Cute illustrations show the gamut of facial expressions and bring action to the text.
Profile Image for Sarah.
248 reviews
May 5, 2021
After barnyard bullies reject him from their clubhouse, Little Chick sets out to find out what made his ancestors mighty. Along the way, he might just discover some might within himself.

Perfect for reading aloud to pre-k storytime and the early elementary (K &1) crowd.
Profile Image for Veronica Smyth.
156 reviews2 followers
December 29, 2017
A cute children's story that incorporated research, family, courage, bullying, and acceptance! My husband loved it.
Profile Image for Alisha.
525 reviews
April 9, 2018
This was a cute read for my son's reading time.
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,759 reviews15 followers
May 27, 2020
I was a little baffled as to why the chicken wanted to be in that club with those bully animals...dump the bullies chicken!
Profile Image for LiteraryAviatrix.
47 reviews6 followers
March 20, 2021
My toddler LOVED this. He had the words memorized long before he could read, and went back to the bookshelf nightly to add it to the bedtime stack.
Profile Image for Nanny B.
813 reviews
April 11, 2025
Story was cute.
Gave it 3 stars because of the " author's note" saying that birds and dinosaurs are closely related.
Profile Image for Storytime Books.
71 reviews1 follower
August 16, 2013
I loved this book, it shows children that bravery can come from anywhere and to never let others bring you down. It also teaches children to not judge others because you might not know who they truly are. The story line is easy for kids to read and makes a great story for reading to children. The illustrations fit the story very well, the bright colors, fun pictures and scenery will draw readers eyes to the pictures instantly. Be prepared to have your kids wanting to read this fun book over and over again!

If you are looking for a good book with great learning values, a great story with cute illustrations, I would definitely recommend this book. It will become a favorite in your homes and schools.
Profile Image for Yapha.
3,345 reviews106 followers
March 22, 2014
Little Chicken really wants to play in the tree house, but it is being guarded by the local farmyard bullies. Little Pig, Little Sheep, and Little Donkey won't let anyone in whose father isn't "brave and mighty." When Little Chicken goes to research his ancestry, he learns that legend has it they have a mighty ancestor. Together he and his father go searching, and find the fossilized remains of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. I especially enjoyed the author's note, explaining the scientific facts proving that the chicken is the closest living relative of the T-Rex. A great story about science and bullies. Recommended for grades K-3.
Author 3 books231 followers
July 27, 2013
An adorable story, with bright, kid-friendly illustrations that celebrates the power of a child's self-confidence! I purchased CHICK-O-SAURUS REX for my 3 year old nephew (but couldn't resist sneaking a read in :) I tried to purchase this at a B&N store, but according to Google, there's some bickering going on between B&N and the publisher for some reason and B&N has limited their S&S purchases ... so sad! Purchase this treasure at an indie bookstore or online, if necessary ... it's a fabulous addition to your child's library!
Profile Image for Heidi.
2,938 reviews68 followers
August 20, 2013
A delightful tale of a chicken searching for a mighty and brave ancestor who inspires him to his own mighty and brave act. With deceptively simple illustrations and plenty of heart Chick-o-saurus Rex leads the reader on a thought-provoking journey of their own. Even the smallest creature can perform acts of bravery. I loved the fact that the relationship between the Tyrannasaurus Rex and chickens is real! How awesome is that. A picture book based on fact with a strong dose of fairy tale and a strong theme makes for a great read-a-loud and a book that I can heartily recommend for sharing.
Profile Image for Jen.
2,396 reviews40 followers
August 21, 2013
kinda silly. perfect for my older storytime kids. Teaches bravery, also could discuss bullying and acceptance. (although I'm sad that it seems a majority of kids books encourage kids to still want to be friends with bullies, I'm all for peacemaking and loving your enemy, but part of what keeps bullies bullies is everyone's desire to please them and be their friend too. At least with Willow Finds a Way the character doesn't try to please the bully, but makes the bully change her ways before being friends with her.
Profile Image for Dolly.
Author 1 book668 followers
March 19, 2014
This is a atrange, but entertaining tale that tackles bullying as well as evolution. The narrative is humorous and I like that the chicken actively pursues his ancestry. But I was a little annoyed that the youngsters defined bravery by the actions of the parent. Still, it's a fun book to read aloud and we enjoyed reading it together.

I really liked the author's note at the end of the book that explains that chickens are the closest living relative to the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex. Scientists determined this by examining collagen proteins in T-Rex fossils. Very interesting.
27 reviews
October 9, 2016
I wasn’t that big of a fan for this book, it was just kind of boring to me. But the book itself was about a little chicken that isn't allowed in a tree house with the other "brave" animals that hang out there. After being humiliated by the donkey, pig, and sheep, the chicken goes to find out what chickens actually can do to be mighty and tough like the other animals. He then discovers he is related to the mightiest animal of all, the tyrannosaurus rex and actually saves his former bullies. I did enjoy the bright pictures that complimented the story.
Profile Image for Samantha.
4,985 reviews60 followers
August 19, 2013
Little Chick longs to gain access to the treehouse, but Sheep, Donkey, and Pig are bullies and say he isn't mighty enough to join their ranks.

Little Chick goes digging into his past and finds that his ancestor is none other than the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex. Armed with this knowledge he saves the treehouse and all of its residents from a hungry wolf.

An author's note gives readers more information about the common ancestry of chickens and T-rex. PreK-2.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews