The Hen Who Sailed Around the World: A True Story

by Guirec Soudée

Meet Monique! In this true story, online phenomenon Guirec Soudée shares his adventures both unbelievable and heartwarming, sailing around the world with his brave, affectionate red hen, Monique.

Monique is a highly accomplished chicken: she surfs, she skateboards, and she just crossed the world on a tiny boat with her human companion, Guirec, who helped steer. On their three-year journey, together they were unstoppable. When they became stranded in the ice off Greenland for four months, Monique, unruffled as always, kept Guirec alive with her eggs-- and they both made it home.

Guirec and Monique are irresistible as unlikely comrades and friends taking on the world, and Guirec documented their journey with his remarkable, comical photographs. A deeply touching portrait of the real-life bond between animals and the humans who love them as well as a thrilling survival story, The Hen Who Sailed Around the World is an adventure for the ages.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Adventure, Animals, Childrens, Travel, History

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 2, 2018

About the author

Guirec Soudée sails around the world on his yacht Yvinec accompanied by a red hen named Monique. At age 22, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean alone. At 23, he went 130 days without assistance after being stuck in ice near Greenland. At 24, he became the youngest navigator in the world to cross the Northwest Passage alone! He and Monique are currently crossing the Pacific Ocean. They invite you to visit them online at guirecsoudee.com or on Instagram @guirecsoudeeadventure.

Reviews

[Dotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised to see that this book that I’d reserved from the library was actually an oversized children’s book with wonderful photos. I read it in about 10 minutes and thoroughly enjoyed the pictures and cute story. It’s a true story about a young man who sailed around the world - including the frozen Northwest passage - with his pet chicken, Monique. I’d highly recommend it for all children - especially if they’re interested in sailing, adventure or chickens! If I ever have a grandchild I’ll definitely want to share this book with them!

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Very simplistic. The page about overwintering in the ice pack was startling because it's worded as if that was the plan....and I don't think that it originally was. Still, a cute read-aloud.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a chicken. Who travels around the world. And it’s true. AND they get stuck in the ice for four months.

But the story’s almost irrelevant because the photographs of the chicken are just so darn cute. A chicken. On a ship. At sea. Really, what else is there.

[Lynn Plourde · Rating 4 out of 5]

This photo-essay of a hen sailing the world with its owner is fun and funky and would be a great model for kids to write their own take-their-pet-on-a-trip adventure complete with photos and using a diary format.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You had me at chicken! The Guirec Soudee who sailed around the world with a chicken definitely takes a back seat to Monique. The chicken is the star of this book. Kids will love it!
2020 WA state Towner nominee

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's sailing! Amazing wildlife! Icebergs! And a hen! Monique steals the show with her fish-snapping, hole-finding, sea-breeze-catching ways. Halfway through, she gives a stare worthy of Hei-Hei, which made me laugh.

It's a delight of a story with photos to tickle your funny bone--and an astonishing number of eggs.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this had more information about how Monic and Guirec met and became friends, started their trip, found Bosco. Maybe an version for older kids will be published later with more information.

https://www.instagram.com/guirecsoude...

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Een 21-jarige jongeman uit Bretagne wil de wereld rondzeilen. Dit is een droom die uitkomt als hij van zijn verdiende geld een zeilboot kan kopen. Eigenlijk is het een wrak maar hij weet de boot zeewaardig te krijgen met hulp van zijn vrienden. Op een van de eerste eilanden die hij aandoet koopt hij een kip om gezelschap te hebben aan boord. Hij noemt haar Monique, bouwt een hok voor haar en ze voelt zich al gauw thuis aan boord. Ze begint zelfs met het leggen van een dagelijks ei wat zeker iets toevoegt aan zijn wat sobere dieet.
Het is een soort dagboek waarin je hoort wat er allemaal mis gaat aan de boot maar hij komt zelfs in Groenland waar hij ingesloten wordt door het ijs maar ook in Antarctica waar hij weer bedreigd wordt door ijsbergen . Al met al is hij meer dan drie jaar onderweg, heeft heel veel hulp gekregen en is dikke vrienden met zijn kip die alles overleeft.

[BiblioBickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is essentially a scrapbook of adorable pictures accompanied by captions that shed only a little light on what is going on. For example, "From here on out, the waters will be very dangerous. Huge waves crash around our little boat, but together, we are not afraid" accompanies two photos of Guirec and Monique in very calm waters hanging out on deck. I have questions: where did Monique lay her eggs? Does Monique actually know how to swim? Where does Monique usually poop? Did Guirec need to make modifications to his boat when presented with Monique in the Canary Islands? Why didn't the husky puppies want to eat her? The map at the end shows the journey with additional pictures, which is helpful. It could have helped the narration to have some kind of map or locator throughout.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolutely delightful book! A true story of two sailors/explorers who sailed around the world, including the Northwest Passage and one them just happens to be a chicken named Monique.

Brought along to supply eggs, Monique turns out to have an explorer's adventurous heart and she took the journey with aplomb and great curiosity. Guirec Soudee and Monique have a clear bond and the book makes a wonderful read aloud with its simple text, fascinating story, large size and terrific photographs.

I totally lost my heart to Monique!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traveling from France, to the Caribbean, then to winter in Greenland, cross the Northwest Passage and sail to California. Guirec and Monique (hen) are the youngest navigator and first chicken to ever sail the NW passage. Excellent photos, some by drone. Monique thrived on being close to Guirec, shunning any little house on deck or in cabin. She ate flying fish on deck and over 100 pounds of seed, laying 1,040 eggs in 1,300 days.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the photos and the author's sense of humor.

"[W]e set off for Greenland, where we will try to be the youngest navigator and first chicken ever to cross the dangerous Northwest Passage over Canada."

"Whether I am raising the sail or keeping a lookout, Monique is always trying to help out (although she is not in fact very helpful).

There are some cool shots with a drone camera. If I had kids I would read this book to them over and over. :)

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous photography illustrates this true story of a young man and his pet chicken who sail through the northwest passage from east to west. The book will be appreciated by animal lovers and those who enjoy non-fiction. The text is simple, and--for older readers especially--will raise questions about the details of this adventure. Use as an example of narrative nonfiction and sequential storytelling. The map and notes at the end of the book help the reader envision the scope of the journey.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Informational Nonfiction
Grade: K-2

After reading the title, I expected this book to be a fun one to read. There were real photographs throughout which documented their journey well. I also liked how it was told from the human's perspective but focused on the chicken's experience. There was also a cool map at the back that helped me to visualize where they had traveled because it didn't mention that too much throughout the book.

[Mad4books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! If you have chickens in your life...or if you have kids who love TRUE ADVENTURE books...you need this book in your life. The photos are terrific, and your kids will love Guirec's unlikely (but USEFUL) travel companion.

[Ela Readers]

Meet Guirec and Monique -- two brave best friends who successfully sailed around the world! They are the youngest solo navigator and first chicken to ever sail the Northwest Passage. Together they sailed 17,500 miles in 1,300 days.

Michelle

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so fun and interesting! This chicken sounds hilarious and quite the companion to have on the long journey. I know my students will LOVE this story. It will pair nicely with another picture book called "I Got a Chicken for my Birthday".

[Cindy Dobrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have some sailing friends, including a couple sailing the world with four children, who need this delightful and inspiring book. What a hoot. I can't wait to read about their next adventure crossing the Pacific at Guirec's website...Monique just became my favorite chicken of all time!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was just utterly delightful, pure fun, and gorgeous! This is the story of the youngest solo navigator of the Northwest Passage and his first mate, Monique the Hen. Filled with breathtakingly beautiful photos of their journey, this book made me want to travel like nobody's business.

[Marie Jose · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea of the story and seeing al the video's and pictures seemed good for a book.
However, if you do not appreciate sailing as much as the writer, the book is a bit boring.
Yes, the chicken is there but it is mostly about sailing and surviving his journey.

[Raven Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT book A must have

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great (true) story, with amazing pictures. And it's funny!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great story! Loved the photos and the way Guirec told the story of his journey with his trusty hen Monique along for the ride.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to not like a story of a hen named Monique. Very good illustrations and wonderful story.

[pati · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story - truly inspirational! IF a chicken can sail the world, just imagine what we humans can do.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story, written with humor

[Erin Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute true story of an explorer and his chicken side-kick. The author uses a lot of humor to explain the chickens role in this adventure.

[Michelle Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so delightful to read and the photos were really fun!

[Briana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very pleasant book about a hen who goes on a boat. Story is amusing throughout, but didn’t have an amazing factor.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun new picture book. I especially like that the hen caught and ate flying fish.