No Peacocks!: A Feathered Tale of Three Mischievous Foodies

by Robin Newman, Chris Ewald (Illustrations)

Every day, Harry, Phil, and Jim are fed sunflower seeds by the staff who care for them at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. But one day, they decide they're sick of them. They make a break for the New York City streets in search of pizza or Chinese takeout.

But everywhere they go, they're told "No peacocks!" by the restaurant owners.

So they try to get an ooey, gooey, delicious meal closer to home. But how are they going to sneak into the school cafeteria and get their wings on the school's world-famous mac 'n cheese? A little plotting, some stolen disguises, and a little help from some students, and the mission is a go!

But will the peacocks get their mac 'n cheese? Or will their cover be blown so they have to fly the coop?

Based on the real-life beloved bird celebrities who live at the The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine (who are known to run off the grounds), and brought to the page in bold, bright style, No Peacocks! is a hilarious romp and a perfect read-aloud.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, School

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 4, 2018

About the author

Raised in New York and Paris, Robin's been a practicing attorney and legal editor, but she now prefers to write about witches, mice, pigs, bears and peacocks. She lives in New York with her husband, son, and two spoiled dogs.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good rhyme book for a read aloud. However, the peacocks look more pigeons on something.

[Chirag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved that the author wrote about the actual Cathedral of St. John The Divine and the real peacocks, their names, and the surrounding community

[Patricia Tilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three conniving peacocks with character and so much more. Robin Newman once again entertains readers with her masterful puns — this time bird puns — which will elicit some joyful giggles from children and encourage them to find more puns. The text is funny and the vocabulary rich.
Readers will cheer for these three proud and cocky friends as they plot to steal some of the school’s mac ‘n cheese. Phil, Jim and Harry are quirky, mischievous, and even devious in their pursuit of the cafeteria’s famous specialty. It is a perfect read-aloud at home or in the classroom!
Chris Ewald’s colorful and lively illustrations contribute to the fun-loving antics, hilarity and silliness of this dynamic threesome – Jim, Phil and Harry.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join the antics of peacocks Phil, Jim, and Harry, NY City foodies who are determined to expand their usual sunflower seed diet with something more exotic. When local restaurants tell them "No Peacocks" they embark on a plan to invade the local school cafeteria for a bowl of macaroni and cheese.
The comical illustrations enhance this fun story that will be a favorite read aloud for young kids. My favorite scene is when the peacocks disguise themselves in school uniforms to try and get into the cafeteria. Don't you enjoy it when adults - wearing thick-lensed glasses - are clueless to what is going on? Kids will love it!

[Ellen Leventhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin Newman again creates likable and unforgettable characters in her picture book, NO PEACOCKS! Young readers will love following three persistent peacocks living on the grounds of a school as the trio attempts to broaden their choices of food. After all, even peacocks want variety. Tapping into the innate kindness (and a bit of the mischievousness) of children, the students at the school help the peacocks on their quest. Lively text and bright illustrations make this a book children will want to read over and over again.

[Cathy Mealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and puns abound when Phil, Jim, and Harry, New York City peacocks, seek to expand their seed-loving palates with the diverse offerings of the city's finest foods. It's the mac and cheese at a school cafeteria that wins the day, and their hearts, and kids will love their comic escapades. After all, who doesn't love mac n cheese?

[Sita Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

When three peacocks, tired of eating the same seeds every day, set out to try some fine foods the city of New York has to offer, and the local restaurants tell them “No Peacocks,” the trio plans to sneak into the school cafeteria for some mac & cheese. This fun story with lots of puns will leave you giggling and craving for food.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this entertaining story about three peacocks who love on a school campus and decide to forgo their usual food of seeds and try... mac and cheese!
Don't miss the author's note to learn about the real peacocks this story is based from.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bookaday #42. Classic story of the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence - this time with birdseed and mac and cheese! Is it just me, or do the peacocks look odd? Part of their charm I guess. This book was recommended by a student during a kidlit tv online learning assigment.

[Charlotte Offsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

When three peacocks grow tired of the same old food they set out to try something new. This hilarious story is a great read-aloud and is sure to have young ones giggling away as these mischievous peacocks try to sneak into school for some Mac & Cheese!

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kiddo I checked this out for loved it! We read it over and over again. I loved that even though the peacocks have a bad experience trying Mac n cheese they don’t let it stop them from continuing to try new foods. I’m also a fan of it being based on three real peacocks.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, goofy picture book with wacky characters. The humor and design style is reminiscent of animated movies such as "Freebirds" or "The Secret Life of Pets."

[Lynne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun romp with the peacocks through NYC!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's cute, but it was missing something for me. I didn't feel invested in the characters and the action felt too chaotic for me.