Beaky Barnes: Egg on the Loose

by David Ezra Stein

The man wanted an egg.
The woman wanted a business.
The chicken? Well, the chicken just wanted some respect.

What happens when their stories collide? Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein takes readers on a slapstick journey in his debut graphic novel!

All the policeman wanted was an egg to go in his sandwich, so he heads to the cafe. The problem? The town is entirely out of eggs, and the local chef is panicked. Luckily, he spots a lovely duo having lunch: a woman and a chicken. It's his lucky day. But when the woman and chicken have a fight over an offensive business arrangement (chicken-pulled coach service, anyone?), chaos ensues. With a chicken on the run, and a policeman and woman in hot pursuit, three stories emerge with hilarious results!

With laugh-out-loud madcap comedy on every page, David Ezra Stein's (Caldecott Honor winner of Interrupting Chicken) signature humor is on full display in this debut graphic novel!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Humor, Middle Grade, Childrens, Animals, Picture Books, Food

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 3, 2023

About the author

David Ezra Stein is an author-illustrator whose previous books include LEAVES, winner of an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award. He lives in Kew Gardens, New York.

Reviews

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

My little siblings loved it!

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see how this would be a silly favorite for kiddos, but the humor didn’t translate well for me.

[Olivia]

See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/beaky-...

BEAKY BARNES: EGG ON THE LOOSE is a silly graphic novel that begins with the inspector dropping his egg. In quest of a replacement, he heads into town and demands an egg, but they are all out! At the threat of an inspection, the cafe owner goes in search of an egg. However, the market is out - but Beaky Barnes, a chicken, is dining at the cafe, and the owner sees a solution. Things continue to go off the rails with plenty of shenanigans and fake advertisements throughout.

What I loved: This is definitely a graphic novel that will make children giggle as they read with an outlandish comic style that appeals to young readers. The colors and cartoonish imagery is great for this age group, and the pages will turn quickly as readers make their way through the panels. The characters remaining consistent throughout the story and smaller ones reappearing in key places as well as the simplicity of the spiraling story is great for the intended age range.

As a graphic novel, it is easy to follow along with the dialogue and overhead text, not getting too bogged down with wordiness in any places. The advertisements included in key places through the story add to the silliness, as well as the end reveals that make this appear like a cartoon.

What left me wanting more: The graphic novel includes some tricky topics that are not really challenged, such as the inspector limiting food intake as he is on a diet, the use of physical force when upset (fish slaps a woman who ordered fish at a restaurant), stealing by multiple characters (clothes and bike, as well as purse), and lying/trickery (using the stolen clothes to pretend to be inspector boss). Further conversation may be warranted for some children to reinforce why this is present in a funny book but would not be funny in real life.

Final verdict: BEAKY BARNES: EGG ON THE LOOSE is a silly graphic novel that will work for older elementary school aged readers who enjoy some giggles.

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Children's graphic novel. When I heard there was a new graphic novel out with a chicken, I put it on hold right away. I was not expecting this strange story where chicken is both a lunch date and an actual chicken. The humor seemed a bit slapstick or gag-based and just seemed a bit weird to me rather than funny. Beaky Barnes is out to lunch with a friend when the chef runs out of eggs. Since the health inspector is the one ordering, he tries his best to find an egg and hopes the chicken can help. But this chicken has never laid an egg. But then of course she does, only to find it is a fertilized egg (she does have a rooster friend, so at least they get that detail correct). The chef becomes an egg-sitter while she gathers nesting material, which turns out to be the inspector's uniform. As I said, the humor didn't work for me.

[Dest · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so bizarre and funny. I think it will have somewhat limited appeal (my book-loving 8yo was like "I don't get it...") but those who enjoy it will really LOL. I can see suggesting this to Dav Pilkey fans and The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales.

Does anyone remember Wuv Bunnies from Outers Pace? That one as well.

[BiblioBickie]

Laid out like a movie or TV show complete with advertisements; action is in graphic novel format. Many puns and gags seem to refer to things kids are not likely to understand, such as the inspector's wearing a barrel when his clothing gets stolen. Based on the kids I work with, I think this book would have limited appeal in the U.S. despite its clever silliness.

[Kelly]

I read this for the Mock Newbery on SLJ's Heavy Medal, but especially compared to other graphic novels I've read this year, it doesn't hold up. It's quirky and funny, and I think perfect for 2nd-3rd graders who like goofy things, but I wouldn't give it a Newbery.

[Sarah S. Smee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wild romp has Monty Python vibes. It was great fun to read as an adult. In some ways, the British style humor felt a bit inaccessible for American children. Still, it’s a good bet for readers who love absurdist humor. The advertising interludes are hilarious.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slapstick mayhem with occasional "commercial breaks." Many echoes of the old Three Stooges and the Keystone Kops movies (eg, wearing a barrel when the inspector loses his clothes, madcap chases), with lots of chicken gags. The art is in color, with medium thick black outlines.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literal joke (in a good way). Such dry humour, no plot just vibes and ads(???). I've always been a big fan of David Ezra Stein and this graphic novel did not disappoint!

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too cute! Loved it!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slapstick comedy for fans of ridiculousness. The humor in this book may not be for everyone, but it's definitely for me.

[Roben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hand this to the kids that love DogMan!

[Ashley S · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is just right for the graphic novel age group with its silly characters, funny dialogue, bold illustrations, and far-out plot.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny!

[Jojobooks Higgins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grabbed from library. Was hoping for a Dogman style book/story. Just felt chaotic! Whew.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't DISlike it, but it was way too chaotic. Really funny in parts, but hard to follow in others.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

So silly.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A crazy, funny tale. As Becky runs away with her egg, many people search for her.

[Lupe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like Stein's books but this didn't do it for me. My students might like this humor but it wouldn't be a good fit in my school library so it's a NO for me.

[Tess · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute and silly

[Kasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hysterical! I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Fans of Dog Man are going to love this one.

[Angela Juline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very odd...I love Stein's traditional picture books. Glad to have it my library because I think it will definitely appeal to the elementary students

[Zoë · Rating 5 out of 5]

laughed so much. David Ezra Stein's random style suits this "book play" so well

[Chandler Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

A story in the town of simpleton in which a chicken lays an egg, abandons the egg, steals some things, and takes back the egg? There’s no authority in this town - the inspector inspects whatever and there are only two other humans in town. I think it’s the censored nudity that would really kill this book as a contender but it’s also just not a great read. Let’s make some word play not many kids will get! Hooray!