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Cranky Chicken #2

Party Animals

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Cranky Chicken and Speedy the worm are back in another laugh-out-loud, brightly illustrated, and heartwarming chapter book as Speedy tries to plan a party for a hungry Chicken—sure to delight fans of Narwhal and Jelly and The Bad Guys!

Cranky Chicken is super high on the crank-o-meter! And hungry. A hungry, hangry chicken is never fun, so Speedy races to cheer Cranky up. It’s Cranky’s birthday, so how about a surprise party? But Cranky hates surprises. So Speedy plans an unsurprise party, a day filled with all Cranky’s favorite un-cranky things. After, Speedy wants to go to the beach, which Cranky absolutely does not like (too sandy, too hot, not to mention sharks). Can Cranky learn to try something new? Find even more reasons to fall in love with Cranky and Speedy in these three new stories about friendship, communication, and facing things that seem scary!

116 pages, Hardcover

First published June 28, 2022

22 people are currently reading
59 people want to read

About the author

Katherine Battersby

17 books49 followers
Katherine is the critically acclaimed author and illustrator of twelve children’s books, including Trouble, Perfect Pigeons and the popular Cranky Chicken series, which have been published around the world. Her books have received glowing reviews in The New York Times, starred Kirkus reviews and have been shortlisted for numerous awards. She is regularly booked to speak in schools, libraries and at festivals and she is a passionate advocate for literacy and the arts. She grew up in Australia and lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her poet, their book obsessed toddler and a wonderfully ridiculous dog.

Visit her at: www.katherinebattersby.com

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5 stars
98 (41%)
4 stars
91 (38%)
3 stars
42 (17%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Jon Nakapalau.
6,522 reviews1,025 followers
September 20, 2023
A really fun book! So many things makes chicken 'cranky'...but soon finds out that if you just try new things you might like them! A really nice book for a small child who may be hesitant - and may get a little cranky - when asked to try new things. Really liked the illustrations!
Profile Image for Rosie.
494 reviews8 followers
February 6, 2023
I couldn’t be happier that there is a second Cranky Chicken book! Just like the first, this book is so much fun - I couldn’t help but let out a few giggles. There is quite a bit of humour within this series - I would recommend this series to early readers or anyone who needs a chuckle.
477 reviews16 followers
August 5, 2022
Cranky Chicken and Speedy Worm are back in another crank-fest.

Today, Cranky Chicken is extra cranky and the crank-o-meter is maxed out. Very hungry and very angry equals a hangry chicken and that is bad news for Speedy Worm who desperately needs to cheer up their best friend. It’s Cranky’s birthday so surely a party will have the chicken out of its bad mood in no time. Won’t it? But Cranky hates surprises. What about a day at the beach? Nope…too sandy, crabs, rough seas, way too hot and there’re sharks! Will anything turn Cranky’s frown upside down…

I love this series of graphic novels that are perfect for newly independent and emerging readers. These best feathered friends are awesome! Cranky Chicken is at their brilliant cranky best and the ever enthusiastic Speedy Worm is determined to do everything in its wormy power to cheer their BFF up.

Speedy certainly has their work cut out to raise the levels of cheer. Cranky is not keen on jelly, clowns or loud days and don’t get him started on bus trips and the beach. Speedy though is not one to give up easily and is determined to find a way - cue exasperated chicken, over the top worm and an abundance of fun. We all need a Speedy in our lives to help lift our mood when things get us down and to bring us a tasty treat when hunger makes us hangry.

Laugh-out-loud and heart-warming, their adventures told over three short stories have lovely messages around accepting each other for who they are, supporting friends, being open to the new experiences and generally trying to make the best of every situation. Popping up between and within the stories and adding to the LOLs are pages packed with things that do and do not make Chicken cranky, Speedy’s favourite things and some ‘Stuff and Nonsense’.

With its short and simple text and brilliant expression-filled illustrations, this series will bring smiles to the faces of even the crankiest reader. While targeted at the lower end of primary school, recommended for five plus, there is bags of wit and sarcasm to appeal to older readers of graphic novels too. Fans of Narwhal and Jelly, Beak & Ally and Shark and Bot will love spending time with this mismatched duo.

With thanks to Hachette and Lothian Children’s Books for this fun read.

Recommended for 5+.
Profile Image for Sharon Tyler.
2,815 reviews40 followers
July 5, 2022
Party Animals is the second book in the Cranky Chicken series written and illustrated by Katherine Battersby. It is currently scheduled for release on June 28 2022. Cranky Chicken is super high on the crank-o-meter! And hungry. A hungry, hangry chicken is never fun, so Speedy races to cheer Cranky up. It’s Cranky’s birthday, so how about a surprise party? But Cranky hates surprises. So Speedy plans an unsurprise party, a day filled with all Cranky’s favorite un-cranky things. After, Speedy wants to go to the beach, which Cranky absolutely does not like (too sandy, too hot, not to mention sharks). Can Cranky learn to try something new? Find even more reasons to fall in love with Cranky and Speedy in these three new stories about friendship, communication, and facing things that seem scary!

Party Animals is made up of four short stories perfect for new and emerging readers. I love the art style, it is fun and just feels welcoming and friendly. The stories acknowledge that sometimes we are cranky, hungry, and not really interested in trying new things or changing our minds- but once we do things tend to get better. I am a big fan of the mismatched friend dynamic, a grumpy one and an enthusiastic one, in all kinds of stories and I think it really works well here. I just love that Cranky and Speedy accept each other for exactly who they are, not trying to change each other's personalities while still trying to help each other grow and enjoy things. I thought it was a fun read, with a good balance of learning moments and giggles. Just perfect for the target audience, and enjoyable for the adults in the room as well.
Profile Image for Our Weekend Is Booked.
738 reviews5 followers
August 26, 2022
Cranky Chicken is extra cranky because he is hungry, which makes him hangry. I can so relate to this because when I'm hungry, I can get hangry just like Cranky Chicken. Luckily, Cranky Chicken has a best friend, Speedy, who can help him figure out what he wants to eat. Throughout this book, I kept thinking that we all need a Speedy in our lives. A ride-or-die friend who throws you an unsurprise party, bakes you the birthday cake you're craving, and takes you to the beach.

The illustrations in this book are fun and essential to telling the story. I love how some of Speedy's favorite movies are classics like The Worminator 2. Although my son had no idea what the movie was about, I enjoyed the nod to my childhood movies.

If you are looking for a book that is both humorous and sweet at the same time, I would highly recommend Cranky Chicken to emerging readers.

This review was first featured on YA Book Central and can be found here https://www.yabookscentral.com/cranky...
Profile Image for Murray.
1,355 reviews20 followers
November 27, 2022
This second Cranky Chicken book has three storylines: the first, Speedy realizes that Chicken is Hangry and tries to find something for her to eat and then realizing it is Chicken's birthday. The second story has Speedy throwing an Un-surprising party as Chicken doesn't like surprise parties. The final story Speedy convinces Chicken to go to the beach with him eventhough Chicken doesn't like the beach. A lot of humor and fun for newly confident readers grades 1st through 3rd. This would make an excellent read aloud for bedtime as the stories are short. Recommended for fans of the "Elephant and Piggie" and "Narwhal and Jelly" series.
Profile Image for Darla.
4,856 reviews1,252 followers
August 29, 2023
Cranky and Speedy are back with a book full of party fun. 🧁🎉
Chapter 1: Hungry, Hangry Chicken -- What to feed a hangry chicken? Fortunately for Speedy, Cranky is a vegetarian. It's Cranky's birthday and she want's cake. 🎂
Chapter 2: The Unsurprising Party -- Speedy throws Cranky a birthday party complete with rock friends, presents, and (of course) the chicken dance.🐔
Chapter 3: Best Beach Buds -- Speedy wants to go to the beach. Cranky is sure she doesn't like the beach, but they hop on a bus (driven by an octopus) and have a wonderful day together digging in the sand, floating, and being BBB (Best Beach Buds). 🌞
It's party time! 🎆🎉🌟
Profile Image for Alicia.
2,629 reviews82 followers
October 18, 2023
This is a hilarious tale of a chicken and worm who are best friends and just out there trying to live their best lives. But chicken is hangry, and worm has just realised what chickens like to eat…
Each chapter in here is its own little story or adventure, with some other random picture and character art fun scattered throughout. The humour really elevates this book and keeps you engaged: my son couldn’t put it down and reread it so many times. It can be read as a standalone, though it does reference some past events.
Profile Image for Sadie-Jane Huff.
1,905 reviews12 followers
December 27, 2024
Book 261 of 300 ~ 2024

🌟🌟🌟🌟

I love this series. The illustrations are too adorable and cute plus the stories make me giggle...

#book261of300 #amreading #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #goodreads #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2024 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
Profile Image for Cheryl.
13k reviews484 followers
October 16, 2022
Ok, this book answered the main question I had from book 1. And it's just as cute. But neither are amazing, and neither show the chicken addressing her issues (it's all on the worm to fix her) and I feel no need to continue the series. My inner child has the same opinion. Young me, back in the day, would probably have given them only two stars.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,872 reviews9 followers
March 21, 2023
Cute read. I still like the artwork. A little too reminiscent of Scaredy Squirrel though and Narwhal. Which I guess isn't bad. But I did find some parts of the book a little bit madly off in all directions compared to the first in the series.
Profile Image for Villain E.
4,016 reviews19 followers
July 19, 2023
Three comics stories. First Cranky Chicken is extra cranky and Speedy assumes it's because he's hungry and tries to figure out what Cranky Chicken likes to eat. Then he throws Chicken an unsurprising party because Chicken doesn't like surprises. And finally, the two of them go to the beach.
Profile Image for Emily.
550 reviews19 followers
January 11, 2022
A quality sequel. This is perfect for fans of Narwhal and Jelly and Elephant and Piggie. Its summer themes make it perfect to read on Summer Break.
Profile Image for Aurora.
3,679 reviews10 followers
August 1, 2022
Super loved this one. Can’t believe I’m having feels about an autistic-coded chicken. 😆
Profile Image for Jaymie.
2,301 reviews21 followers
November 5, 2022
4.5 stars = I loved it! Would re-read.

Made me cackle - I love smart, funny books for kids and this is a winner!
Profile Image for Christina.
Author 6 books55 followers
December 2, 2022
Everyone needs a copy of this book plus the first book--super-funny, sweet, awesome drawings. Cranky Chicken is THE BEST!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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