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The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County
Meet one smart chicken chaser. She can catch any chicken on her grandmother's farm except one - the elusive Miss Hen. In a hilarious battle of wits, the spirited narrator regales readers with her campaign to catch Miss Hen, but this chicken is "fast as a mosquito buzzing and quick as a fleabite." Our chicken chaser has her mind set on winning, until she discovers that sometimes it's just as satisfying not to catch chickens as it is to catch them.
A fresh voice full of sass and inventive, bold collage illustrations full of surprises create a childlike escapade brimming with funny high jinks that leads the reader on a merry, memorable chase.
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
A fresh voice full of sass and inventive, bold collage illustrations full of surprises create a childlike escapade brimming with funny high jinks that leads the reader on a merry, memorable chase.
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 20, 2007
5 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
About the author
Janice N. Harrington
19 books45 followersHarrington’s writing reflects her beginnings in rural Alabama and her life in the Midwest. A former librarian and professional storyteller, Harrington now teaches creative writing in the Department of English at the University of Illinois.
-from janiceharrington.com
-from janiceharrington.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
March 3, 2021
Oh goodness! What a fun story, terrific writing (use as mentor text), heartwarming and silly both. And the illustrations are absolutely fabulous (ab-fab).
I am especially thrilled that this is about African-Americans, but isn't all caught up in race struggle.
Just a perfect book for the young, and the young at heart. Highly recommended. I will look for more by author and illustrator, both.
I am especially thrilled that this is about African-Americans, but isn't all caught up in race struggle.
Just a perfect book for the young, and the young at heart. Highly recommended. I will look for more by author and illustrator, both.
February 19, 2018
First the collage illustrations in this story are incredible! Every page has so much to look at, so much detail.
The story itself is adorable. It's about a girl who loves chasing chickens and one chicken in particular. She hatches plans to catch this chicken until one day she finds out something that makes her change her mind.
This a great text to use for exploring metaphor and simile and writing using vivid description. The little girl's accounts of trying to catch the chicken evoke some great mental images.
The story itself is adorable. It's about a girl who loves chasing chickens and one chicken in particular. She hatches plans to catch this chicken until one day she finds out something that makes her change her mind.
This a great text to use for exploring metaphor and simile and writing using vivid description. The little girl's accounts of trying to catch the chicken evoke some great mental images.
April 16, 2021
This was an adorable tale! The little girl, Baby, as Big Mama calls her, sees it as her mission to catch every chicken. But one eludes her.
Shelley Jackson makes the story come alive with illustrations that seem real yet whimsical with a bit of collage throughout the book.
My children and I would have loved this when they were 5-8ish years old. It might have helped as educational moments as we had chickens back then. Learning that you must chase down a chicken every now and thing to medicate or isolate certain ones. But chasing, as fun as it could be, frighten the chickens and can be bad for them. My kids never found that a goal. Instead, they learned to gather eggs and mostly leave the chickens to live their own lives. They saw hens clutch and babies hatch and follow mothers around.
This fits in the Black Lives Matter category as the child, and her mom are black. It is incidental. This could have been any race living in rural areas. I like that. I can't wait until things like this book become commonplace. Books and the arts should reflect our lives. All kinds of people live on this earth. Why not enjoy the variety?
Now that I am finished reading this book, I will donate it to the local library as I think it might be a good addition.
Shelley Jackson makes the story come alive with illustrations that seem real yet whimsical with a bit of collage throughout the book.
My children and I would have loved this when they were 5-8ish years old. It might have helped as educational moments as we had chickens back then. Learning that you must chase down a chicken every now and thing to medicate or isolate certain ones. But chasing, as fun as it could be, frighten the chickens and can be bad for them. My kids never found that a goal. Instead, they learned to gather eggs and mostly leave the chickens to live their own lives. They saw hens clutch and babies hatch and follow mothers around.
This fits in the Black Lives Matter category as the child, and her mom are black. It is incidental. This could have been any race living in rural areas. I like that. I can't wait until things like this book become commonplace. Books and the arts should reflect our lives. All kinds of people live on this earth. Why not enjoy the variety?
Now that I am finished reading this book, I will donate it to the local library as I think it might be a good addition.
March 4, 2016
This is by far the cutest thing I've read in a long time. Story structure? Check. Onomatopoeia? Check. Similes? Check!!! Creative illustrations? Check!!!! Great dialogue that just forces you to read with a southern drawl? Check! Check! Check!
Enter a little girl who loves to chase the chickens in hope of catching a particular one whom she's named Miss Hen. Her grandma tells her not to, but she does it anyway. She schemes and has many failed attempts until one day, she's got Miss Hen right where she wants her. Not going to spoil the ending for you. You're just going to have to read it yourself. :-P
I hope to buy this book some day. It'll be great for at home with my little girl and for my classroom.
Enter a little girl who loves to chase the chickens in hope of catching a particular one whom she's named Miss Hen. Her grandma tells her not to, but she does it anyway. She schemes and has many failed attempts until one day, she's got Miss Hen right where she wants her. Not going to spoil the ending for you. You're just going to have to read it yourself. :-P
I hope to buy this book some day. It'll be great for at home with my little girl and for my classroom.
August 4, 2020
There are many things I like about this book but I really really don’t like how the main character chases the chickens even though her grandma tells her not to, even though it’s affecting the egg laying, and even though she knows it’s mean. I was grumpy about the fact that she was even chasing the chickens for like 3/4 of the book.
What I liked:
- mixed media in the illustrations (specifically the pieces of paper with text)
-the sound words
-her problem solving and perseverance
-that the character showed a change of personality throughout the book
What I liked:
- mixed media in the illustrations (specifically the pieces of paper with text)
-the sound words
-her problem solving and perseverance
-that the character showed a change of personality throughout the book
February 9, 2016
I've decided to read 29 children's book during Black History month 2016. This was book #13. The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County by Janice N. Harrington and illustrated by Shelley Jackson. This is the cutest story about a farm girl that chasing chickens. There are phrases that remind me of my grandma..."brush my teeth whiter than a biscuit"; "quick as a flea bite"; and "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar". Wish this book was around when I was little. Simply amazing.
February 3, 2014
I can hardly wait to read this book outloud to my class. It has great rhythm and fun word choice. I am not sure yet, but I know I'll be using this for several of my mini-lessons.
April 19, 2017
Great read aloud.
February 13, 2021
This book was a delight. I was pulled in by the title as I looked for books that I could read to my 3rd grader during Black History Month that weren't about slavery or civil rights - just stories about black folks. And I'm SO glad that I picked up this book. It reminded me of stories my mother used to tell about growing up on her farm, with delightful turns of phrases, and whimsical illustrations, this book was a delight to read.
The young protagonist announces herself the Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County, and proceeds to tell about her chicken chasing adventures, but in particular one beautiful chicken, described as 'plump as a Sunday purse' (just one of many really delightful turns of phrases in this book), Miss Hen, who is too fast to be caught. The story proceeds with the Chicken Chaser attempting many different methods to catch Miss Hen, until she discovers, that maybe there's a bit more to life than just chicken chasing.
The illustrations are super fun and whimsical, the chickens feel as if they're made up of matchwork - like a story quilt, my 9yo said - and Miss Hen, in particular is given some really beautiful illustrations.
This would be a great story for a read aloud, but also a great story to talk about descriptive narratives, and looking at pictures. I got this one from the library, but I might want my own copy it's just that pretty.
The young protagonist announces herself the Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County, and proceeds to tell about her chicken chasing adventures, but in particular one beautiful chicken, described as 'plump as a Sunday purse' (just one of many really delightful turns of phrases in this book), Miss Hen, who is too fast to be caught. The story proceeds with the Chicken Chaser attempting many different methods to catch Miss Hen, until she discovers, that maybe there's a bit more to life than just chicken chasing.
The illustrations are super fun and whimsical, the chickens feel as if they're made up of matchwork - like a story quilt, my 9yo said - and Miss Hen, in particular is given some really beautiful illustrations.
This would be a great story for a read aloud, but also a great story to talk about descriptive narratives, and looking at pictures. I got this one from the library, but I might want my own copy it's just that pretty.
October 25, 2017
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County is a refreshing read. This book is about a young girl who loves to chase chickens and is trying to capture one that she just so happens to call, “Miss Hen”. Although her grandmother does not want her to, she decides to do it anyway. I love the wittiness within this story and the connection the author has with it. It is evident that the author has some connection with the story she is telling by the detail she puts into the language of it all. Her speech represents her knowledge of the subject. I chose to read this book because the title alone seemed interesting and somewhat relatable. Although I have never chased or caught a chicken, I know that at least one of my grandmothers have, and to see a visual of what they might have done when they were younger was insightful. The flow of the book would be perfect for young students to hear and also emulate in a read aloud, and I definitely feel that this book is without a doubt interesting to children. The plot is engaging and provides several different questions for teachers and parents alike to ask to further stimulate their children’s growth and comprehension.
September 27, 2020
Summary: The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County by Janice N. Harrington is a book narrated by a black girl in dire desire to catch this prized hen on her farm. There are many plans hatched to get this chicken despite a disapproval by her momma. There is an annoyance that runs through her as she can catch any other chicken on the farm except this one. There is a great range of descriptive words to describe the chicken especially when she finally is able to catch the hen.
Analysis: This book was both comical and filled with a theme of determination. The illustrations done in this book were amazing. There were college pieces to do the chickens and certain aspects of the clothing which is great because that is an art form many kids can do as well. I like this book because it goes into the mind of this young girl who demonstrates grit.
How I would use this book: I think I would have this book in my collection because it has longer length pages of text which is great for growing readers. This book could be good for a project in an art class because of the collage art in the book. This book is fun and would be a good book for reading time.
Analysis: This book was both comical and filled with a theme of determination. The illustrations done in this book were amazing. There were college pieces to do the chickens and certain aspects of the clothing which is great because that is an art form many kids can do as well. I like this book because it goes into the mind of this young girl who demonstrates grit.
How I would use this book: I think I would have this book in my collection because it has longer length pages of text which is great for growing readers. This book could be good for a project in an art class because of the collage art in the book. This book is fun and would be a good book for reading time.
February 1, 2018
This book is about a girl who wakes up chasing chickens no matter what. She is determined to catch her favorite chicken she doesn’t just catch any chicken. Her mother tells her not to catch those chickens because if she scares them they won’t let eggs. But she doesn’t listen to her mom cause she is determined to catch the chicken she really wants. Nothing will stop her drive. One day she is trying to catch this one chicken and has a hard time doing it, the chicken for some reason won’t give in. So the girl plans out every move in order to catch the chicken. One day she realizes that the chicken is pregnant and ends her hunt for the chicken.
I absolutely love this book because it shows young kids that whatever you want in life is yours, never let somebody tell you what are not capable doing.
I will imply this is my classroom by teaching the students that whatever you want in life is yours, nobody can stop you and the sky is the limit. You either wake up and go get the dream or you wake up still dreaming the choice is yours.
I absolutely love this book because it shows young kids that whatever you want in life is yours, never let somebody tell you what are not capable doing.
I will imply this is my classroom by teaching the students that whatever you want in life is yours, nobody can stop you and the sky is the limit. You either wake up and go get the dream or you wake up still dreaming the choice is yours.
September 26, 2018
In this fun-to-read book, author Janice Harrington, winner of the A. Poulin, Jr. Poetry Prize and the Kate Tufts Discovery Award, tells a poetic story about a young girl who calls herself the "Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County." Told in first person, she describes what a day in her life is like being a devoted chicken chaser. Her mother's advice resounds in every page as the chicken chasing girl uses many strategies to catch her favorite chicken, the beautiful Miss Hen.
The illustrations are bold and loud. The illustrator, Shelley Jackson, used the author's onomatopoeia throughout the book to her advantage and mixes real objects within the paintings brilliantly. The different uses of patterns in the illustrations give the book an entertaining feel and make it perfect for story time.
Recommended for ages 6-10.
The illustrations are bold and loud. The illustrator, Shelley Jackson, used the author's onomatopoeia throughout the book to her advantage and mixes real objects within the paintings brilliantly. The different uses of patterns in the illustrations give the book an entertaining feel and make it perfect for story time.
Recommended for ages 6-10.
September 12, 2017
A young lady waxes poetical about her love of chasing chickens and chronicles her quest to catch her elusive favorite. I loved the Queen's voice and spirit. And Shelley Jackson's illustrations blend watercolor and multimedia collage to create dynamic, wild yet nostalgic images that will draw you in and make you laugh. And might make you wish you could knew the thrill of chasing chickens yourself! (Don't give in to the temptation!).
If you'd like to read more of my thoughts and ways to connect this book to a visit to some REAL chickens at a community garden in the Bronx, please check out my blog:
http://bookbakebronx.com/index.php/20...
If you'd like to read more of my thoughts and ways to connect this book to a visit to some REAL chickens at a community garden in the Bronx, please check out my blog:
http://bookbakebronx.com/index.php/20...
April 9, 2023
First time I've come across a picture book -- or any book -- about a chicken chaser. But as soon as I see the cover's picture of the story's narrator, I fall in like.
Like totally! What a bold, athletic, powerhouse of a little girl will stare back at you from that front cover, Goodreaders, if you only take a look at her fearless gaze.
Such a delightful adventure is ours to share, thanks to the lively narration from Janice N. Harrington. And the fantastically gorgeous-and-zesty illustrations by Shelley Jackson.
Thank you! Especially, thank you both for the magnificent ending. (No spoiler from me, no no!)
Like totally! What a bold, athletic, powerhouse of a little girl will stare back at you from that front cover, Goodreaders, if you only take a look at her fearless gaze.
Such a delightful adventure is ours to share, thanks to the lively narration from Janice N. Harrington. And the fantastically gorgeous-and-zesty illustrations by Shelley Jackson.
Thank you! Especially, thank you both for the magnificent ending. (No spoiler from me, no no!)
November 26, 2018
This book tells the story of a young girl who loves to chase her chickens around the yard, and comes across a pleasant surprise at the end.
Aside from the wonderful illustrations, I really enjoy the character voice in this book, so wonderfully captures the mischievous and young voice of the main character. The book also provides ample opportunities to look at examples of onomatopoeia in writing, and it could be helpful to draw attention to these for students to experiments in their own writing.
Aside from the wonderful illustrations, I really enjoy the character voice in this book, so wonderfully captures the mischievous and young voice of the main character. The book also provides ample opportunities to look at examples of onomatopoeia in writing, and it could be helpful to draw attention to these for students to experiments in their own writing.
November 27, 2019
A perfect picture book! The collaged illustrations are captivating, funny, and beautiful. The story, of a young girl's quest to catch the most beautiful chicken in Big Mama's flock, is engagingly told by librarian and professional storyteller Janice N. Harrington, and has a great message about respecting boundaries and nature. The main character and Big Mama both have dark brown skin.
Themes: Nature; Chickens
Age Range:3-9
Themes: Nature; Chickens
Age Range:3-9
April 22, 2021
Masterful storytelling. There's a lot going on in this book! A dramatic plot line, a fiesty and interesting main character, a worthy opponent, character development. I was looking forward to reading this book for a long time and it was entirely worth the wait. This is how it's done, folks.
- Spoiler -
Just one question: can one chicken really have 12 chicks in a bundle/batch/litter (someone tell me the correct terminology, please)?
- Spoiler -
Just one question: can one chicken really have 12 chicks in a bundle/batch/litter (someone tell me the correct terminology, please)?
January 7, 2022
A young girl loves to chase chickens, especially one she's named Miss Hen. Even though Big Mama says not to, she's determined to catch that hen. She tracks Miss Hen to a hidden place and discovers something that changes her behavior.
Love the expressions on this girl's face! While the rest of the mixed media illustrations are a bit fanciful- Miss Hen is made of crochet patterns and doilies- she is very realisic.
Love the expressions on this girl's face! While the rest of the mixed media illustrations are a bit fanciful- Miss Hen is made of crochet patterns and doilies- she is very realisic.
January 28, 2019
Harrington demonstrates her storytelling prowess in this engaging story about a top-notch chicken chaser who mends her ways after being schooled in loving kindness by Miss Hen; the collage illustrations are unique and visually appealing, though more realistic depictions of the chickens, like those of the girl and Big Mama, would have shown what beautiful creatures they are.
June 23, 2021
This was so dang cute. Loved it, loved reading it out loud, the kids loved it, the illustrations are great, just an all around great read aloud. I love it when picture books are really just well paced and well illustrated short stories, perfect for the preschool and primary set, and this was that for sure.
October 29, 2021
"Pruck! Pruck! Pruck" Harrington's use of humor and language makes it a mentor text for storytelling. She even manages to pull at your heartstrings by the end. Jackson's art is a collage of vibrant illustrations and textures, making the whole book a celebration. And you're definitely going to want to get yourself a chicken after reading this. Just delightful.
November 15, 2017
While this shows a silly story, it also shows a little girl and her family who is very unique and cute. It has vibrant colors and illustrations. The words seem to almost jump off the page at the reader!
November 20, 2019
This book is a really fun and interesting read. It would be a great book to have an a classroom. It keeps the students intrigue with its funny text but also teaches them a lot about African-American history.
May 31, 2020
Slice of life story of a young girl who chases chickens in her grandmother's yard and the one chicken she can never catch.
Finally, one day she has the chance to catch that one elusive chicken, but chooses not to.
Finally, one day she has the chance to catch that one elusive chicken, but chooses not to.
March 5, 2024
This is a really cute book. I recently met Janice, and she was telling me about this book and how the first time she read it at her local library, she thought it was going to be a flop. After meeting her and finding out how sweet she was, I bought it for my son to read, and he absolutely loved it.
May 8, 2017
A great picture book about a little girl who learns how to wait and watch as well as chase chickens better than anyone else. Love the illustrations and the rhythm of the narrative.
January 28, 2018
A family favorite!
January 1, 2019
2nd that day
January 11, 2019
Pure joy! I wish I could give this book 10 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Both author and illustrator know kids and what a classroom of grade schoolers will think is hysterical! Bravo!!!
Both author and illustrator know kids and what a classroom of grade schoolers will think is hysterical! Bravo!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews