Peggy

by Anna Walker

Peggy the hen is contented with her quiet existence and daily routine. When a powerful gust of wind sweeps her up and deposits her in the midst of a busy city, she explores her new surroundings, makes new friends, and cleverly figures out how to get home--with a newly kindled appetite for adventure. Evocative full-color paintings follow Peggy's journey, offering comical details that reward repeated viewing. This reassuring tale and its unruffled heroine invites discussions of exploration, safety, and resourcefulness

Genres: Picture Books, Adventure, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Birds, Storytime

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2012

About the author

Anna Walker writes and illustrates children’s books, including six with author Jane Godwin as well as her own Florette. The illustrator’s imagery is inspired by tiny details in the world around her. She lives in Melbourne, Australia.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a gust of wind blows poor Peggy, a little black chicken, into the big city, she manages to have the time of her life seeing the sights. Still, a country gal can get mighty homesick, and Peggy wonders how she'll ever get home to her dear little chicken coop.

A very sweet story, made all the more endearing by the author's lovely ethereal watercolors.

[pati · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting a bigger adventure. I do love the artwork, Peggy is a well drawn chicken.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Peggy" made it to someone's list of the top twenty picture books of 2014. The illustrations of ink and photo collage are charming. Both the spreads and smaller illustrations speak to the reader because of how Anna Walker depicts this precious chicken on an unplanned adventure in the city.

Unfortunately, as with so many author/illustrator pieces, the words themselves do not speak as passionately. In fact, the entire exposition is bland with sentences, such as "Peggy landed with a soft thud." How many other main characters in picture books have found themselves in the same predicament?

To the author's credit, there are lines that meld beautifully with her illustrations, including, "In the rushing crowd, Peggy saw a sunflower like the one in her yard." Also satisfying is the twist at the end.

Pick up "Peggy" for the charming illustrations, not for the dazzling prose.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peggy has a very quite life in the farm. But one day the is flew away by the wind and ends in a big city. At first is nice to visit and learn about new things, but at some point she misses home... Will she know how to find her way back to it? Peggy discovers all the hints are in what she already knows. This is a cute story, and the illustrations done in ink are soft and beautiful.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Find more children's book reviews in Reviews in Chalk

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun story with lots to observe in the illustrations. A chicken has an adventure in the City and, once she returns home, broadens her world a little bit. This is a good message for children, and I love seeing local landmarks of Melbourne in the illos.

[Sean Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny book with more interaction from the pictures than the words. Very good for young kids and weak readers to get involved.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bet you didn't know that chickens were such a brave, adventurous lot,ehh? Sure, they may not have loads to say, but they live, LIVE, for experiencing all that the universe dishes out to them.

Take Peggy, and her unexpected bounce out of her normal everyday routine(breakfast,yard & pigeon watching) and into the exciting, hustling, bustling big city.

Upon landing in an unexpected change of scenery, Peggy is not one to panic and run away a la Chicken Little. Peggy decides to explore, see what is out there, and take it all in.

But after seeing it all, Peggy yearns for her yard, and takes an even braver step. She finds her way home, with the help of a sunflower and a flock of friends on a rainy day.

Children will enjoy the perspective of Peggy's low ride through the city streets, and on those many "one-things"that just cannot be missed! You know how a child will focus on the one sight on a walk that most adults gloss over? Peggy's focus will find that piece of the scenery that a child more than likely would find. A dog barking in some lady's a handbag. Nibbling salty buttery popcorn while relishing the soft cushy velvet seat at a movie theater. Rides up AND down on an escalator.

And all the "one-things" are set against the never ending city street mob scene of umbrellas and feet and legs...Is it a low riding chicken or low riding kid seeing this story? The answer is yes. Why I think this is PERFECT for a preschool story time.

Young children will enjoy the absurdity of Peggy's situation, and go along on this adventure with no qualms. Simple and driect text and illustrations will engage and create opportunities for making up stories about what else is going on-something I always LOVE in picture books.

Get your self a copy today at your local indie bookshop or public library!

[Julee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peggy lived in a small house on a quiet street until one day a blustery wind swooped her away and off into an adventure in the city. Peggy saw new and interesting things but she missed her home. The clever and brave chicken uses her wits to follow a sunflower onto a train and out into the country where she soon finds herself back home with the help of some familiar pigeons.

The pages of Peggy are rich, thick, and creamy filled with witty images of things Peggy discovers on her windy adventure. One page in particular was quite striking-"Peggy saw things she had never seen before" appears to be a blend of water colors and photographs. I gazed at this page for a long time eventually laughing at Peggy appearing on several TV screens. You have to love this chicken!

The strength of the story comes from its illustrations. The only awkwardness in the story (from a read aloud perspective) was that it seemed heavily edited cutting out wording that would have made the story flow better.

[Julie Grasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a quiet but delightful book. The one thing kids love is an endearing hen, and Peggy is just that. Peggy goes on an unexpected adventure and finds an unlikely way home. The illustrations are crisp and lovely. Toddler loved this book.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely gentle story that is great for bed time. The words are simple and there is a lot of detail in the pictures. Because of this it is a great story when you need a short one (if a small someone is very tired!).

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peggy - Anna Walker It's a chicken in the city. Even if your next door neighbors have a flock of chickens and a load rooster, and the local farmer's market is the biggest thing in the county, the idea of a chicken all on its own in the city is wild and weird.Library copy

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book while visiting a small town children’s bookstore. My Mama has a small chicken farm (around 300 chickens give or take) and has begun fulfilling one of her dreams of learning to paint with watercolors in the last few years. This book was a perfect addition to her personal library! She’s the main reason my siblings and I read so much and I believe that she’s well on her way to showing her grandkids how amazing it can be too - even if the best they can do for now is point out the chicken on each page like it’s a game lol.

[Kristin Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots to look at in the illustrations. A cute little story.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable book about an adventurous chicken, who one day accidentally found herself in the city.

[Angelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to work to keep kids' attention with this one. But it's a cute little story.

[Maria Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peggy is a chicken who lives in a small town far away from city life. One day, Peggy is swept up by the wind and blown to the busy and lively city. Peggy a country girl is not used to the new environment of the city. She sees, smells, tastes, and touches many new things that she had not seen, touched, or tasted before back in her small town. It wasn't until later that Peggy decided that she wanted to go home, but had no idea how to reach home. She asked the many people in the city, but they could not understand what she was saying to them. Then she found something that looked familiar to her, a woman carrying some sunflowers. Peggy, who was keeping an eye on the only thing that looked familiar to her in the the large city full of new things, was hoping that the flowers would guide her home. Unfortunately, they landed her in a place in the middle of nowhere. Peggy was still lost and desperate to get home. Then a group of pigeons that Peggy recognized knew the way home and guided Peggy the chicken back to her missed chicken coop. Peggy and her new pigeon friends enjoy the countryside and sometimes they catch the train to the city to enjoy the craziness of city life. I love the subtle message behind this story. It shows Peggy as a newcomer to the city. She grew up in the countryside all of her life. So when she goes to the city she learns about the way of life there. However, being in a place that you have never been in before is hard especially on someone who does not look or sound like the people who reside there. I would use this book in the classroom to teach students about accepting everyone from all different walks of life. Sharing Peggy's story about being in a new place to children would give them some perspective of what it is like to be new in a place that they have never been in before. Reading this tory would teach my future students how to be welcoming to new students and other people in general inside and outside of school.

[Venus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peggy lives in a small house in a quiet street. Then, on a blustery day Peggy finds herself scooped up by the wind and blown into the city. Things are marvelous and strange, but all Peggy wants to do is find her way home.

Children are really going to love this jaunty adventure featuring a very brave chicken and some beautiful illustrations. Peggy notices things that children would notice, bringing the perspective down to their level in a way that is never condescending. There is the never ending crush of the city with it's endless umbrellas and people, but Peggy weathers it all and eventually finds that although she does want to return home, sometimes a visit into the city every now and then isn't such a bad thing. With sparse text and engaging art, this would be a great read for a storytime or for those kids who love a quiet adventure.

Review originally posted here

[Penny McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peggy is - like all chickens - just beautiful. Her black feathers and cheerful beak are perfect and her attitude (after being blown by a strong wind into the big city) is inspiring. We should all be as brave as Peggy and as relentless at trying to have a good time when the situation is not perfect. I found the tempo of this story to be just perfect because Peggy has a shock, grows accustomed to her situation enough to have fun, and then finds her way home using instincts and good sense.

There is nothing like a good picture book with a chicken at the centre and Peggy shows us that it is wonderful to love your home and want to return to it but... there are times when it is okay to follow an adventure.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous picture book with watercolour-like drawings. It's the story of Peggy, a chicken blown into the big city, and her experience there. There is much to see on every page and a wonderful conclusion, with the help of her friends, the pigeons. Nothing scary or sad, just a happy experience. Definitely a 4.5.+

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was probably made just for me. Fat chicken takes an unnecessary trip to the city because WIND. Eats spaghetti. Tries to chat with people. Finds way home because of pigeons.

How is that not a perfect tale?

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peggy’s daily routine is set out in a series of polaroids, framed glimpses in regimented lines and columns. While by no means that dull, the wind does bring with it adventure---actually, it carries Peggy off on an adventure, taking her from the neat uniformity of the suburbs, to a bustling cityscape.

The adventure in the city is captured in full--no frames, neat lines/squares here. Vignettes are placed neatly, but not contained by line or frame…they’re really fun. Walker has a great sense of humor and play in Peggy.

What is impressive, and perhaps subtle/taken for granted, but when Peggy is swept away, “far from home. She pick[s] herself up, ruffle[s] her feathers, [goes] for a walk.” She goes with the flow (literally); small amongst human legs and feet and their umbrellas. She takes everything in: “Peggy watched, hopped, jumped, twirled, and tasted.” And when it’s time to go home and she discovers humans can’t understand her requests for directions, she’s resourceful.

Her adventure returning home brings her friends, which brings something wonderfully new to her daily routines. And that closing page, umbrella tucked under wing--if I hadn’t already been so thoroughly endeared…

It’s in the city that I noticed Walker’s use of photo collage (though a quick look back I understand it’s constant). It’s strange how the realism of the photo is the part that adds whimsy to a chicken’s tale of adventure, but there we have it. I continue to enjoy Walker’s color palettes and ink-work.

Peggy is enchanting, and it’s a story from which any collection would get a lot of mileage.

The city and the colors had me thinking of Oliver Jeffers, so fans, take notice.

[Lisa Peplow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased the book "Peggy: A Brave Chicken on a Big Adventure" for my grandchildren, primarily because it reminded me of my beloved grandmother, Peggy, whom I deeply miss. The story revolves around Peggy the hen, who finds contentment in her quiet life and daily routine. However, everything changes when a strong gust of wind carries her away and drops her in the heart of a bustling city. In this new environment, Peggy embarks on a journey of discovery, forging new friendships and cleverly finding her way back home, all while igniting a newfound appetite for adventure.

The book features vibrant, evocative full-color paintings that beautifully capture Peggy's journey. These illustrations are filled with comical details that enthrall readers and encourage repeated viewing. Through Peggy's unruffled and courageous demeanor, the story delivers a reassuring message that invites discussions on exploration, safety, and resourcefulness.

For me, this book held special significance due to its connection with my grandmother. However, I believe it will resonate with readers of all ages, as it beautifully weaves together themes of contentment, curiosity, and the courage to step outside one's comfort zone. "Peggy: A Brave Chicken on a Big Adventure" is a delightful tale that inspires both young and old to embrace new experiences and cherish the bonds of friendship along the way.

[KidsBooksWorthReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have never loved a chicken, you might after reading Peggy. (Maybe I just have a soft spot as an owner of chickens..) 🐓 Peggy lives in the suburbs and has a sweet simple life, but she seems a little lonely. One day a wild wind sweeps her into the air and is flown all the way to the city. She has a great adventure in the city, seeing and tasting new things. After awhile she misses her quiet home. She spots a girl with flowers just like the ones she has in her yard, get on he train. She follows her onto the train and when she gets off she is still lost. Some neighborhood pigeons recognize her and lead her home. Anna Walker's illustrations really make this story extra adorable. #clarionbooks #kidsbooksworthreading #kidsbook #kidsbook #kidlit #childrensbooks #childrensliterature #picturebook #picturebooks #peggy #annawalker

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book. This is an older title that caught my attention at the library. I immediately smiled, as the black chicken on the front cover looks like my two Jersey Giants. Peggy lives in her coop in the suburbs, eats flowers, and watches the pigeons. But one day Peggy gets blown into the city. She likes some of the city, and finds small familiarities, but at the end of the day wants to go home. But how can she find her way? Luckily the pigeons are able to help her out.

The illustrations in this book are so charming-- watercolors by the looks of it but I didn't see an art note. Peggy's adventures are wonderful, though most of them are expressed only in the pictures not in the words themselves. Though I wonder both where the owner/ farmer was in the story and why Peggy seemed to be a flock of one, it was nonetheless a cute story.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The wind blows Peggy away to the city, which is nothing like she's every experienced in her life. How will she find her way back to her yard?

I picked this book up at the library for my 2-year-old, Lily, because her Grammy has backyard chickens. We all really enjoyed it.

Lily loved the page that shows Peggy doing all of the things in the city. I explained what all of the pictures meant, like going to the movies, going up and down the escalators, etc. It's especially fun to talk about Peggy looking at a cook book ("Oh no! Don't cook me!") and finding panties on sale. Somehow Lily decided "A chicken must wear panties."

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

High rating given for overall content and humor in the drawings and for the last closing line to the story. I liked this book because it showed that the chicken chose to change after doing something first uncomfortable. He was swept off to the unfamiliar and unknown big city, missed home, but then later when home regularly began making trips back to the city. He could see things there that were both different and the same as home, things uncomfortable and other things comfortable. He learned more and grew internally.

[FM Family · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've been reading a lot of Anna Walker books this year and enjoying them all. Peggy is a wonderfully silly story about a chicken who gets swept up by the wind and taken right into the City where she explores everything she can. One of those stories with lots of silly little images you might not notice the first time but which my 3.5 year old loved, like Peggy wearing shoes or putting her bowl on her head. Altogether a sweet story with good pacing and a satisfying ending that balances the value of home and the wonder of exploring!

[Tori Crumrine]

Illustrations were done in ink and photo collage.

This story is about a small chicken named Peggy who get swept up by a wind gust and lands in a city. She begins trying to find her way home. She finds a woman with sunflowers like the ones she has seen at home and decides to follow her. Then she meets pigeons that take her the rest of the way home.

The illustrations were so simple, yet very detailed and realistic. I enjoyed the collage elements mixed with the ink drawings.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peggy the chicken has a daily routine that she likes. One day when the wind picks her up and flies her to the big city, Peggy has a chance to experience things she's never encountered before. Eventually she found that she missed home. When she tried to ask people for directions home no one seemed to understand her. She tries following a sunflower but soon loses it in the crowd. Then she spots the pigeons who lead her home.