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Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken: A Brave Picture Book About Leaving Home and Sailing with Pirates for Kids
She longed for adventure.
So she left her home and ventured out into the wide world.
The pleasures and perils she met proved marauding pirates on the majestic seas, a ferocious lion under the bright lights of the big top, a mysterious stranger in an exotic and bustling bazaar.
Yet in the face of such daunting danger, our heroine . . .
She was brave.
She was fearless.
She was feathered.
She was a chicken.
A not-so-chicken chicken.
Her name?
So she left her home and ventured out into the wide world.
The pleasures and perils she met proved marauding pirates on the majestic seas, a ferocious lion under the bright lights of the big top, a mysterious stranger in an exotic and bustling bazaar.
Yet in the face of such daunting danger, our heroine . . .
She was brave.
She was fearless.
She was feathered.
She was a chicken.
A not-so-chicken chicken.
Her name?
56 pages, Hardcover
First published September 23, 2008
5 people are currently reading
911 people want to read
About the author
Kate DiCamillo
163 books11k followersKate DiCamillo, the newly named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2014–2015, says about stories, “When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another.” Born in Philadelphia, the author lives in Minneapolis, where she faithfully writes two pages a day, five days a week.
Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."
Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, went on to become a National Book Award Finalist. Since then, the master storyteller has written for a wide range of ages, including two comical early-chapter-book series - Mercy Watson, which stars a "porcine wonder" with an obsession for buttered toast, and Bink & Gollie, which celebrates the tall and short of a marvelous friendship - as well as a luminous holiday picture book, Great Joy.
Her latest novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, won the 2014 Newbery Medal. It was released in fall 2013 to great acclaim, including five starred reviews, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Flora & Ulysses is a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. It was a 2013 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and was chosen by Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Common Sense Media as a Best Book of the Year.
Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."
Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, went on to become a National Book Award Finalist. Since then, the master storyteller has written for a wide range of ages, including two comical early-chapter-book series - Mercy Watson, which stars a "porcine wonder" with an obsession for buttered toast, and Bink & Gollie, which celebrates the tall and short of a marvelous friendship - as well as a luminous holiday picture book, Great Joy.
Her latest novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, won the 2014 Newbery Medal. It was released in fall 2013 to great acclaim, including five starred reviews, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Flora & Ulysses is a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. It was a 2013 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and was chosen by Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Common Sense Media as a Best Book of the Year.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 361 reviews
January 19, 2018
What a beautiful fun story! The kids loved this book. They laughed, the were engaged in the story.
Louise longs for adventure. She also loves having a safe home to come back to. Louise goes out and has some wonderful adventures that nearly claim her life. She ends up having much to talk about.
I love the artwork. It is fantastic and Kate always tells a fantastic story. Cute.
Louise longs for adventure. She also loves having a safe home to come back to. Louise goes out and has some wonderful adventures that nearly claim her life. She ends up having much to talk about.
I love the artwork. It is fantastic and Kate always tells a fantastic story. Cute.
September 9, 2009
A fun book with adorable pictures! There is nothing especially "amazing" about the story, and yet it is so much fun to go along with Louise as she seeks out new adventures, then returns to her cozy, familiar roost when she's sampled enough from any one adventure. I really hate to say this, because it sounds like a horrible pun, but I just kept thinking "Louise is just so plucky" and her glittering determination is fun and even a bit inspiring! ;-> The illustrations are great, Louise radiates personality and makes me smile. And, of course, it's neat to see a brave chicken!
July 25, 2019
Louise the chicken is adventure-bound in the three stories presented in this picture-book from two-time Newbery medalist Kate DiCamillo. In episode one Louise goes to sea, enduring a pirate attack and shipwreck in the course of her sailing life. In the second installment, she joins the circus as a tightrope walker, narrowly avoiding being eaten by the circus lion when she falls from her high perch. In the third and final tale, Louise finds her way to a far country (Near Eastern, by the look of it), where she is imprisoned by the tall, dark stranger about whom she'd been warned by a fortune-teller, and must make her escape.
In each of the three stories in Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken, our heroine is led by a sense of wanderlust out into the world, and by a sense of homesickness and longing for peace and security back to her own farm. I found it interesting that in the final story, the point is made that chickens should be allowed to wander free, rather than living constricted lives in cramped quarters. Perhaps a commentary on modern agricultural production? It was also interesting to note that Louise turns from adventurer to storyteller at the close of the book, sharing the joys and terrors of her travels with her friends at home. I'm not sure that this is destined to be a favorite - it was pleasant, but mostly unremarkable - but I was interested to see what DiCamillo, whose novels for older children are so accomplished, would do with the picture-book form. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books featuring characters who march to the beat of their own drummer.
In each of the three stories in Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken, our heroine is led by a sense of wanderlust out into the world, and by a sense of homesickness and longing for peace and security back to her own farm. I found it interesting that in the final story, the point is made that chickens should be allowed to wander free, rather than living constricted lives in cramped quarters. Perhaps a commentary on modern agricultural production? It was also interesting to note that Louise turns from adventurer to storyteller at the close of the book, sharing the joys and terrors of her travels with her friends at home. I'm not sure that this is destined to be a favorite - it was pleasant, but mostly unremarkable - but I was interested to see what DiCamillo, whose novels for older children are so accomplished, would do with the picture-book form. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books featuring characters who march to the beat of their own drummer.
April 26, 2022
Louise is one hen that's tired of brooding; she craves adventure, and, by golly, she's gonna get it. Join in the fun with all her wild and crazy antics as she hobnobs with pirates and circus folk - all while avoiding becoming someone's lunch.
The illustrations by Harry Bliss are priceless!
The illustrations by Harry Bliss are priceless!
March 24, 2024
Louise is a hen after my own heart. I love home, but I yearn for adventure, and when I'm on my adventure, I can only enjoy it for a short time before I start missing home.
AND she's the cutest little thing with her big ol eyelashes!
AND she's the cutest little thing with her big ol eyelashes!
September 5, 2018
I figured I should review this, since it has become the biggest hit in Morton household audiobooks. Fred (just now 4) got the book at the library, with the CD so he can follow along (when you hear this sound, turn the page...)
I have heard this one at least a dozen times now, both in our living room and on two consecutive trips to Maine. We renewed it. Fred loves that there are pirates. Honestly, Louise's adventures are pretty good. The reader is great too, she does French accents for the chickens. This is the rare book that doesn't bug me the 17th time through.
I have heard this one at least a dozen times now, both in our living room and on two consecutive trips to Maine. We renewed it. Fred loves that there are pirates. Honestly, Louise's adventures are pretty good. The reader is great too, she does French accents for the chickens. This is the rare book that doesn't bug me the 17th time through.
July 29, 2016
I'd been wanting to read this book for a while now, but every time I looked for it on the shelf it was checked out. At last I've had my chance, and it was worth the wait. Louise is a chicken who longs for adventure, and flies the coop looking for it. This book relates three of her adventures--at sea (captured by pirates!), at the circus (on the trapeze!), and overseas (at what appears to be an Arabic marketplace). In each adventure, however, Louise's homesickness points her wings toward home, where her sister hens are eager to hear about her latest adventures. My favorite part of the story is when Louise releases the hens trapped in the cage with her by picking the lock with her wing. So cute!
Harry Bliss' colorful illustrations make this a visual treat. He sure can draw cute chickens! My favorite picture is the last 2-page spread, showing all the hens in their nesting boxes, with the pigs and dog sleeping nearby and the cat peering out the barn door into the rain. Though the text doesn't mention any particular country as the setting, one gets the idea from Bliss' illustrations that it's France, because all the hens have French names written in signs above their nesting boxes, and when Louise resigns from the circus she hands in a paper entitled "La Resignation." I wonder why he did that? Anyway, this story would make a great readaloud for middle to upper elementary age kids, and is recommended for anyone who loves adventure and chickens.
Harry Bliss' colorful illustrations make this a visual treat. He sure can draw cute chickens! My favorite picture is the last 2-page spread, showing all the hens in their nesting boxes, with the pigs and dog sleeping nearby and the cat peering out the barn door into the rain. Though the text doesn't mention any particular country as the setting, one gets the idea from Bliss' illustrations that it's France, because all the hens have French names written in signs above their nesting boxes, and when Louise resigns from the circus she hands in a paper entitled "La Resignation." I wonder why he did that? Anyway, this story would make a great readaloud for middle to upper elementary age kids, and is recommended for anyone who loves adventure and chickens.
February 9, 2012
If anyone could imbue a chicken with a personality worthy of an epic journey it would be Kate DiCamillo, but even she may not quite be up to such a challenge. However, although Louise may not have the personality of Gollie, Mercy, or Despereaux, her tale is just as charming. And really, should we expect any author to truly see into the soul of a chicken?
Louise yearns for the adventures that we all regularly encounter our dreams. Since she is actually living out those dreams, when she returns home she is able to sleep "the deep and dreamless and peaceful sleep of true adventurers." The excitement of each chapter ends with that rhythmically written image of peaceful sleep, including the epilogue-like final chapter, making this a good bedtime story read in pieces or in its entirety.
As a picture book, there is plenty of visual context to support an ELL in understanding the words. This is particularly important when the story has several severe breaks from the normal A to B to C progression of a simple tale. A chicken on a farm - no, on a ship under attack by pirates - no, auditioning for a circus. It would be reasonable for an English language learner to doubt their own understanding with a tale like this. (The unusual use of chapters will also help readers come to terms with the shifts in narrative.)
Louise yearns for the adventures that we all regularly encounter our dreams. Since she is actually living out those dreams, when she returns home she is able to sleep "the deep and dreamless and peaceful sleep of true adventurers." The excitement of each chapter ends with that rhythmically written image of peaceful sleep, including the epilogue-like final chapter, making this a good bedtime story read in pieces or in its entirety.
As a picture book, there is plenty of visual context to support an ELL in understanding the words. This is particularly important when the story has several severe breaks from the normal A to B to C progression of a simple tale. A chicken on a farm - no, on a ship under attack by pirates - no, auditioning for a circus. It would be reasonable for an English language learner to doubt their own understanding with a tale like this. (The unusual use of chapters will also help readers come to terms with the shifts in narrative.)
October 21, 2009
Louise was not like other chickens. She was not content to stay in the henhouse, so she set out for an adventure on the high seas. Just as Louise was beginning to think the sea wasn't as exciting as she expected, a pirate ship appeared! With a little luck, Louise was able to escape the pirates. She headed back to the henhouse for some rest, but Louise still longed for adventure. When the circus came to town, Louise finds herself in the high wire act! Just as soon as this too started to become dull, the lion got loose! Again, Louise somehow managed to escape. Louise returned to the henhouse for some rest, yet still craved adventure. This time Louise traveled to a land far away, where there was a crowded bazaar. After visiting a fortune teller, a strange man captured Louise and carried her to a cage full of other chickens! Will Louise be able to escape yet again, or are her days of adventure finally over?
I read the tumblebooks version of this story. The narrators were wonderful, even performing believable French accents! The camera movement also helped make the pictures come to life.
I read the tumblebooks version of this story. The narrators were wonderful, even performing believable French accents! The camera movement also helped make the pictures come to life.
May 8, 2009
My main reason for liking this book is because it's unapologetically weird. However, it lacks something fundamental that it would need to elevate it to the status of a great book. The kids get a kick out of it and I love the fact that it's long, but the stories just don't pack as much punch as they could. Everything seems a little dry.
I feel like a more appropriate illustrator could have been found than Bliss, whose pictures are a bit modern for a story apparently set in the 17- or 1800s. The story could have flowed a little better, too. The biggest dissapointment of this book is that it really wouldn't have taken much more work to make it great.
All that said, it's the easiest task in the world to prompt the kids to draw or write about Louise's Next Adventure. The results are uniformly hilarious.
I feel like a more appropriate illustrator could have been found than Bliss, whose pictures are a bit modern for a story apparently set in the 17- or 1800s. The story could have flowed a little better, too. The biggest dissapointment of this book is that it really wouldn't have taken much more work to make it great.
All that said, it's the easiest task in the world to prompt the kids to draw or write about Louise's Next Adventure. The results are uniformly hilarious.
December 4, 2013
A book my 6 yr old as well as my twin 3 yr olds loved. A solid reading level 1 book, this cute story keeps all ages engaged with the bright colorful pictures and cute story. A great addition to any children's library.
January 19, 2018
Spoiler Alert
Fun story (though I admit to feeling sorry for the drowned pirate :-/). I adore the artwork! Louise makes such a delightful heroine.
Fun story (though I admit to feeling sorry for the drowned pirate :-/). I adore the artwork! Louise makes such a delightful heroine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2009
Louise is not a “chicken” chicken. Instead, Louise shatters chicken stereotypes with her courageous spirit and longing for adventure. Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken tells the story of a chicken who literally dreams of exciting journeys and dangerous circumstances.
Louise’s adventures are chronicled in three separate chapters. The first voyage takes place at sea. Louise finds herself aboard a ship and is disappointed by the lack of adventure. Soon the “true adventure” she craves reveals itself as a pirate ship approaches. The pirates board her quiet, tranquil ship and she finds herself in a heap of danger. Fortunately for Louise, a storm brews and the ship full of hungry pirates sinks.
A circus is the setting for the next exploit. Once again, Louise yearns for more excitement and leaves her henhouse. She follows the loud music she hears in the distance and finds herself standing in an audition line. Her circus audition lands her on the high wire where she is initially bored. Before long, the circus lion gets loose below and Louise has her “true adventure” at the circus. She falls from the high wire and must flee from the ravenous lion. Happily, clever Louise escapes with the help of a clown.
The final adventure takes place in a far away land at a fabulous bazaar. Louise stumbles across a fortune-teller who tells her that she will come across a dark stranger. Almost immediately, Louise is whisked away by her feet and thrown in a cage with other chickens. Her passionate personality reveals itself as she rallies the other chickens and convinces them that being forced to live in a cage is unjust! She works diligently and is able to peck open the lock freeing herself and the other chickens.
In my opinion, this children’s picture book should be considered for the Calecott Medal. The illustrations by Harry Bliss are noticeably excellent. He uses bold colors, contrasts and shadows. Each illustration is full of details and depth allowing the reader to plunge into the story as if he or she is right there in the scene. The writing and illustrations are both individually distinct. There is a clear story-line and theme involving both adventure and the tender feeling one gets each time one returns home. DiCamillo develops the bold, courageous and home-loving character of Louise beautifully.
This book can be used as an elementary level read-aloud. It may be a bit long for Kindergarten, but would probably work well with grades one through five. It lends itself to discussions about irony and stereotypes. I believe students will enjoy the skillfully crafted illustrations and well-written story about the free-spirited and home-loving Louise.
Louise’s adventures are chronicled in three separate chapters. The first voyage takes place at sea. Louise finds herself aboard a ship and is disappointed by the lack of adventure. Soon the “true adventure” she craves reveals itself as a pirate ship approaches. The pirates board her quiet, tranquil ship and she finds herself in a heap of danger. Fortunately for Louise, a storm brews and the ship full of hungry pirates sinks.
A circus is the setting for the next exploit. Once again, Louise yearns for more excitement and leaves her henhouse. She follows the loud music she hears in the distance and finds herself standing in an audition line. Her circus audition lands her on the high wire where she is initially bored. Before long, the circus lion gets loose below and Louise has her “true adventure” at the circus. She falls from the high wire and must flee from the ravenous lion. Happily, clever Louise escapes with the help of a clown.
The final adventure takes place in a far away land at a fabulous bazaar. Louise stumbles across a fortune-teller who tells her that she will come across a dark stranger. Almost immediately, Louise is whisked away by her feet and thrown in a cage with other chickens. Her passionate personality reveals itself as she rallies the other chickens and convinces them that being forced to live in a cage is unjust! She works diligently and is able to peck open the lock freeing herself and the other chickens.
In my opinion, this children’s picture book should be considered for the Calecott Medal. The illustrations by Harry Bliss are noticeably excellent. He uses bold colors, contrasts and shadows. Each illustration is full of details and depth allowing the reader to plunge into the story as if he or she is right there in the scene. The writing and illustrations are both individually distinct. There is a clear story-line and theme involving both adventure and the tender feeling one gets each time one returns home. DiCamillo develops the bold, courageous and home-loving character of Louise beautifully.
This book can be used as an elementary level read-aloud. It may be a bit long for Kindergarten, but would probably work well with grades one through five. It lends itself to discussions about irony and stereotypes. I believe students will enjoy the skillfully crafted illustrations and well-written story about the free-spirited and home-loving Louise.
January 29, 2010
I know I don't usually review children's books on my blog, even though I read plenty of them with my seven-year-old daughter. But the audio recording of this book won the 2010 ALSC/Booklist/YALSA Odyssey Award and was announced at Youth Media Awards two weeks ago. A friend of mine was on the committee and they know they listened to hours and hours of audiobooks to find the best ones. Of course, I had to listen! So last night my daughter and I listened to the CD as we followed along in the book.
And, wow. What an awesome audiobook! The sound effects were marvelous and the narrator's voice was amazing. The different characters' voices were so distinct and Addie and I were anxiously awaiting the turn of each page. Louise goes on three adventures--a ship, the circus, and a Middle Eastern bazaar. And Louise is one tough chicken. :)
And, wow. What an awesome audiobook! The sound effects were marvelous and the narrator's voice was amazing. The different characters' voices were so distinct and Addie and I were anxiously awaiting the turn of each page. Louise goes on three adventures--a ship, the circus, and a Middle Eastern bazaar. And Louise is one tough chicken. :)
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July 6, 2014
LOUISE, THE ADVENTURES OF A CHICKEN
One thing I find so impressive about the writing of Kate DiCamillo is that her writing voice is SO evident, regardless of the category or genre she is writing for.
That said, with her writing voice being so compelling and endearing to so many readers---certainly me!---it's impossible not to love everything she writes.
It was a pleasure to see a picture book of more length written in the form of chapters. This sweet, funny, warm book about a VERY adventurous chicken is sure to delight readers of ANY age! Thanks again, Kate, for another book to treasure :)
That said, with her writing voice being so compelling and endearing to so many readers---certainly me!---it's impossible not to love everything she writes.
It was a pleasure to see a picture book of more length written in the form of chapters. This sweet, funny, warm book about a VERY adventurous chicken is sure to delight readers of ANY age! Thanks again, Kate, for another book to treasure :)
June 13, 2012
We borrowed this book from the library. Mommy was interested in finding out about a chicken with the same name as her mother who adventures with pirates and the circus and visits the middle east and frees prisoners. It was an interesting book with lots of pictures of chickens and other interesting things, but didn't really grip LottleJohn's attention. The part he liked the best was the picture at the end where all the chickens and the puppy and the pigs are asleep. Perhaps we'll try reading this again when we're older.
August 27, 2022
Louise the Chicken longs for adventure, and an adventure she shall have! Louise encounters pirates on the deep turbulent seas who wish to have her fried or fricasséed. She joins a circus and performs on the high wire adorned with a pink parasol. She visits a bazaar, meets a fortune teller, and ends up caged alongside chickens who don't understand free range. After her adventures, Louise is happy to be at home with her sister chickens, who intently listen to Louise's tales of adventure.
An adorable story with cute illustrations.
🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥
An adorable story with cute illustrations.
🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥
December 8, 2015
So the chicken went to sea . . .
So the chicken was in the circus . . .
So the chicken traveled to the Middle East . . .
So what?
I was disappointed by the lackluster nature of this tale, given the powerhouse writing and illustrating team.
As a side note, there's an honest image of a drowning pirate early in the story. It didn't seem to stick with my seven year old, but I could see it being quite concerning for some kids.
So the chicken was in the circus . . .
So the chicken traveled to the Middle East . . .
So what?
I was disappointed by the lackluster nature of this tale, given the powerhouse writing and illustrating team.
As a side note, there's an honest image of a drowning pirate early in the story. It didn't seem to stick with my seven year old, but I could see it being quite concerning for some kids.
July 2, 2010
There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home. Dorothy, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.
I love chickens so chicken stories always get good marks with me, why because some of my best friends are chickens or roosters. Did you ever read Chicken Boy? Great book! (Thought I would put in a plug there). I hope that's ok.
I love chickens so chicken stories always get good marks with me, why because some of my best friends are chickens or roosters. Did you ever read Chicken Boy? Great book! (Thought I would put in a plug there). I hope that's ok.
May 28, 2012
DiCamillo is a genius and Bliss' illustrations are plucky perfection. Louise (a "not so chicken chicken") longs for adventure and sails the high seas with pirates, performs daring high-wire feats in the circus and rescues caged chickens and then returns home to sleep the "peaceful sleep of a true adventurer."
August 29, 2012
I enjoyed this book. Louise is a chicken who longs for true adventure. She goes on three adventures in the book. Through her adventuring she gets homesick and always comes back home. I enjoyed this book it's a perfect read a loud for bedtime to little ones.
August 23, 2015
Jacob loved this more than anyone else. Funny book
Listened to the audio and it's very good..krb 8/21/15
Listened to the audio and it's very good..krb 8/21/15
September 16, 2017
This was full of funny little adventures of a chicken. My daughter loved this book.
October 25, 2017
My son really enjoyed this. What's not to love about chickens getting kidnapped by pirates and joining the circus?
November 24, 2020
I loved this book, and so did my animal-loving 5yo boy. It is a cute story, full of adventure, and told in a really entertaining way.
March 22, 2024
Are you searching for an action-packed fantasy story to add to your classroom library? Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken by Kate DiCamillo follows the story of the bold and brave chicken named Lousie, the protagonist of the story, who desperately desires adventure. Leaving the safety of her henhouse, Louise adventures to a fabulous bazaar, circus, and pirate ship before finally deciding to remain in the safety of the henhouse. Telling her fellow hens all her adventures, Louise truly is a fearless chicken, as even the title page displays her boldness. My favorite spread from this book was the vertical illustration of Louise falling in the grasp of the lion at the circus, as this shading and linework of this spread truly shows the movement of the characters. Another spread I loved was the pirates raiding the ship, as the setting of the pirate battle taking place atop the flowing ocean with explosions and swords was both appealing and engaging and would be an excellent read-aloud book. This story will keep all of your students on the edge of their seats wanting more, making it a perfect addition to your library to help motivate your students to read!
August 14, 2024
Курка з адреналіновою залежністю. Мені сподобалося нагадування, яке є в книзі: будь-які пригоди проживаються легше, коли знаєш, що є куди повернутися і затишно поспати, щоб набратися сил для наступного дня.
May 15, 2022
Super fun audiobook!
December 10, 2023
So cute. I got to thinking about this author and decided to read a few I had not read.
May 19, 2024
Slow down and enjoy the illustrations! Cute story. There's no place like home.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 361 reviews