Chick & T

by Jennifer Shand, Esther Hernando (Illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books, Dinosaurs

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

Jennifer Shand began writing after working with children for many years and after graduating from James Madison University with a degree in Psychology. She is now the author of one middle grade novel, The Last Elf Daughter, and eighteen picture books including the Why Do? series, the How Do? series, the Sounds From the ... series, and fairy tale retellings. The goal of Jennifer's books is to encourage laughter and learning.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

T is a baby Tyrannosaurus rex, hatched from his shell during a time in which no such dinosaur has ever been seen by living eyes. And even though T appears fearsome on the outside, being the only one of his kind is both lonely and frightening. Luckily, a friendly family of chickens—T's closest living relatives—is happy to welcome T into their home and their family. All, that is, except Chick, who is not so sure about this new big brother. While the relationship between T and Chick is complicated, however, it takes just the right set of circumstances for them to finally begin to see eye to eye. This clever and entertaining picture book imagines a world in which anthropomorphic chickens behave like humans and a dinosaur unexpectedly begins walking among them. On the surface, the book is a fun exploration of the evolutionary connection between ancient dinosaurs and contemporary chickens, but the message of the story resonates more deeply. As an adopted member of his family, T looks and behaves very differently from his chicken companions, which is often the case for adopted humans, as well. Through straightforward language, emotion-centered illustrations, and a unique premise, this picture book attempts to address both issues with compassion through a lighthearted story. Well suited to upper preschool and early elementary school-aged students based on its length and subject matter, this book is enjoyable both as a read aloud in a classroom or in a home setting. This is a good addition to library collections for young readers, and it is primed for a sequel.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps there's nothing quite as lonely as being the only Tyrannosaurus rex on the planet. When T's egg hatches, he looks for a family, eventually finding one with a flock of chickens. Peck, his new brother, is quite welcoming, but his sister, Chick, is doubtful that he can find his way in his new surroundings. Of course, as it turns out, she's right. T struggles with fitting in the bed, playing on outdoor equipment, and even eating a meal at the dinner table. But one day he proves his worthiness, and Chick is forced to concede that he does make a helpful big brother, er, a really BIG brother, that is. The artwork consists of several up-close images of T. Compared to him, those chickens look rather small. This one will amuse young readers while those who love dinosaurs might be annoyed by the very idea of a T. Rex living today, especially in these circumstances.

[A Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Families come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities, and kids are often quicker than adults to see that love matters more than appearances.

This is a funny and heartwarming story about a Tyrannosaurus rex who hatches millions of years too late and is adopted by a family of chickens. While his new brother is thrilled to have him around, his sister isn't so sure. T's giant size leads to plenty of humorous mishaps, but underneath the laughs is a sweet message about belonging and what truly makes a family.

The illustrations are absolutely adorable as well. This one is a winner!

[Raven · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending ruined this book