Cheerful Chick

by Martha Brockenbrough, Brian Won (Illustrator)

A fabulously sunny picture book for the optimist in all of us (or the optimist we wish we could be!) Right from the moment Chick is born, she wants to lead the other animals in cheer! Unfortunately, the rest of the barnyard just isn't quiiiite as enthusiastic. Lucky for little Chick she has a whole squad of siblings who are backing her up (even when she doesn't realize it)!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Poetry

Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Martha Brockenbrough is author of The Game of Love and Death, Finding Bigfoot, The Dinosaur Tooth Fairy, and Devine Intervention, books for young readers. For adults, she has written Things That Make Us [Sic], a hilarious guide to things that can go wrong with English, and It Could Happen to You, a diary of her first pregnancy. She's the founder of National Grammar Day and SPOGG, the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar.

Reviews

[Cassandra Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has adorable illustrations and a good message about marching to the beat of your own drum. I guess what I found puzzling was why everyone was so mean to the cheerful chick at first. On the last page you learn the adults had all be busy "working," and were now free to enjoy the chick and her friend's cheers, but that didn't explain why they were so rude to the poor little hatchling pages before. I guess I shouldn't expect crystal-clear logic in a kid's picture book.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joyful and fun and reads aloud wonderfully. Highly recommended for ages 4-6 (my son loved it!).

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This upbeat cheery book would be a terrific read aloud to share with young readers. With brightly colored illustrations and fun rhyming text, this book tells about a young chick that is tired of the boring dreary mood in the barn and is determined to build a cheering squad that will make things a little more exciting. I love how the little chick doesn't let the others get her down, but does her best to see the bright side of life.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I've always been accused of being something of a cheerleader myself, tending to look on the bright side of life rather than the dismal side, I wasn't particularly enamored by this picture book. Maybe the slings and arrows of life and disappointments over the decades have hammered away at my cheerful nature and lessened my enjoyment of this book or maybe the fact that Chick keeps trying to get everyone in the barnyard to join her squad when it's clear from the illustrations that she already has quite a following left me feeling annoyed. I'm not sure. Despite my reservations, other readers are likely to enjoy this story as Chick hatches and immediately goes into cheerleader mode. She decides to shake things up in the barnyard and encourages the other animals, including a pig, a cow, a sheep, and a horse, to join her. They aren't interested in the slightest, and she is despondent for a time before gaining some perspective on the matter and deciding to cheer once again. This time she's joined by the other chicks. The digital illustrations include images of paint textures and pencil drawings that were scanned. The rhyming text makes the book easier to share aloud, but I'm torn about the last line since the story begins with the observation that Chick was different from all the other eggs that hatched. Maybe she was born to cheer, but is that the case for the other chicks?

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some individuals from the moment of their first breath are destined to be different. They have sunshine in their souls, desiring to shout it out. Happiness is not a momentary mood for them but a way of life.

In their efforts to encourage others to choose an optimistic outlook, they do everything in their power to be their personal best. Cheerful Chick (Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., January 1, 2019) written by Martha Brockenbrough with illustrations by Brian Won is not only about pursuing your passion but inviting those around you to become part of a hopeful community. It's all about shared joy.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chick popped out of her egg peeping, feeling happy and wanting to encourage others to find joy. With pompoms in hand she practices her moves until they feel just right and then she sets off across the farm to inspire the rest of the animals to show off their acrobatic skills. Sadly, everyone brushes her off, either because they are too busy, too grumpy or just not in the mood. Will Chick ever find the enthusiastic squad she dreams of? This is a cute rhyming story about those upbeat characters who can't help but spread happiness, whether others are open to it or not. The digital illustrations complement the story well and bring the animals' expressions to life. A fun read aloud for primary grades.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this at Book Fair yesterday as an extra book to read to my daughter. I really liked the cover and thought it might be a fun book. My daughter liked the story and the little cheers that the chick yelled throughout. It's definitely a "cheer mom" kind of book. Lol. Cute, upbeat, but probably a book liked more by parents than kids, unless the kids are already really into cheering.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this library book as part of my Scholastic Book Crate subscription and after reading it, I didn't love it. If you have a student who loves cheerleading they will probably love it but the story fell a little flat for me. The illustrations are super cute but other than that, it was just ok.

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is cute and fun, despite a few bumps in the meter. The ending wasn’t as satisfying as it could have been, however. I don’t buy the idea that the adults joined in the fun because their “work” was done. Seems like the rhyme was driving the story at that point because it was clear throughout the book that the adults simply didn’t want to be bothered.

[deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! I don't always like children's books that have a rhyme sequence but this was very well done and added to the story. The illustrations and colorful and sweet- the little chicks are my favorite. :)

[Maureen Agnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice message of staying true to one self - even when the people around you might not understand you. Enjoyed the background story of how staying true to one self may inspire others when you don't even know it.

[Bel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely lovely book :)

[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations are great, nice message about being yourself and finding your tribe

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is delightful! Lots of enthusiasm, self confidence (ultimately), and barnyard sounds.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely cheerful, featuring a cheering chick. Illustrations by Brian Won and delightful rhyming text. What's not to love? Shake those pompoms!

[Elisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brian Won's illustrations were what kept me turning pages.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chick is all about cheering, cheering, cheering.

[Aliza Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the feminist/girl power layer of this story!

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little long but small group liked it

[Jenniferh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Dance storytime. Fun barnyard story with a cheerleader theme.

[Brenda Kahn]

Meh, this one didn't do it for me. I like the concept and the art. The rhyme-scheme felt a bit clunky as did the logic of the story for me.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, uplifting, and full of smiles! You'll cheer for Cheerful Chick!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat cute and fluffy story of a chick who wants to be a cheerleader.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good rhyming book for a storytime read-aloud...but, chicks being born to be cheerleaders? Not sure the message is what I'm looking for.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little chicken is so excited to help cheer on all the animals but they are not so thrilled for her cheering. Can she find someone who appreciates her cheerfulness? Preschool and up

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the cheerful chick! She keeps trying, and stays cheerful, and cheers for others This is a great mentor text for writers to study the arc of story and for character study.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, charming, solid rhymes.

[Amy Wiechert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute! Great rhythm and message about following your passion.

[IvyInThePages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 leaves out of 5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes

[Beth Huddleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book about a cheering little chicken who learned to follow her dreams despite lots of barnyard opposition and negativity.