Crankosaurus

Cranky Chicken #3

by Katherine Battersby

Cranky Chicken and Speedy the worm return in another illustrated chapter book as Cranky plans a nap and the two friends find a mysterious egg—sure to be beloved by fans of Narwhal and Jelly and The Bad Guys!

Cranky Chicken has no time to play with Speedy the worm because it’s nap time—and it is never a good idea for Cranky to skip a nap. Then, Speedy starts having questions of identity: what does it really mean to be a worm? Can Cranky and Speedy find some answers? Later, Cranky and Speedy discover an egg and have to work together to take care of it. These three new stories about listening, helping our friends, and learning new things will make readers fall even more deeply in love with these delightful BFFs (that is, best feathered friends).

Genres: Graphic Novels, Friendship, Humor, Middle Grade, Childrens, Graphic Novels Comics

116 pages, Hardcover

First published May 23, 2023

About the author

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

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the joy and innocence of these books! Can chickens and worms be best friends forever? Why not! Beautiful books that spark imagination and curiosity.

[Carl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can we please leave gender and species identity lessons out of children’s books? In chapter 2 of Crankosaurus “Not a Worm”, Speedy asks Cranky how she knows she’s a hen instead of a rooster. It’s because she “feels like a hen”. Okay, fair enough. Next Speedy goes through an identity crisis (“an identity wobble”) where Speedy wonders if Speedy is:

- a cobra
- a giraffe
- a cheetah
- a fish
- a flamingo
- a keyless skink
- a wingless butterfly
- an electric eel
- a brontosaurus
- a single-tentacled octopus

Cranky finally resolves this by telling Speedy a “secret”: “you can decide what you are.”

To me this is just a really bizarre conclusion to a worm going through an “identity wobble” about their species. A worm can decide their species based on how they feel or what they decide? That’s weird.

In 2000 or even 2010 I probably would have written this off as an analogy about children being able to “become what they want to be (ie a doctor, an astronaut, a happy person etc.) But in today’s political climate and the fact that this lesson comes right after the suggestion that Cranky’s henness is based on a feeling, it seems like suggest the author is trying to insert some trans genderism lesson or frankly even a pan speciesism lesson.

We will be returning the book and looking for something with less political activism.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why aren't more hens and worms BFFs? Well, that is pretty obvious. This series, though, is a visual treat. The graphics are a bit muted in color giving a gentle tone. Katherine Battersby gives us a tongue-in-cheek view of this unlikely friendship in chapters where Speedy helps Cranky take a nap, Cranky helps Speedy with an identity crisis (maybe Speedy is a giraffe?), and Cranky lays an egg (Speedy helps Cranky find out more about egg care at the library). I do love the library in this book. There is a library llama, lots of library cats, and Speedy turns into Bookworm. Just wait until you find out what is really inside that egg. Lots of fun for kids and kids at heart in this one. 🐔

[A Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

“Chicken, how will I ever know what I am?”
“Do you want to know a secret?”
“Yes.”
“You can decide what you are.”
“I can?”
“Yup….”

So sorry this adorably illustrated and cute children’s graphic novel has to earn 1 star due to the quiet messaging that highlights the gender identity crisis happening in our world today. Instead of being a true friend and helping Speedy the WORM understand who he is by objective reality, Cranky Chicken caters to all the gobbledygook nonsense about getting to “choose” who you are. Just, no. And so disappointing to see this slowly showing up in children’s literature.

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 003 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟

I love this series. Speedy and cranky chicken are a hoot. I especially love this one because they go to the library.

Sometimes, when I read the books from this series, I cannot help but look at Jerrid because he reminds me a little of the cranky chicken. hhahahahhaha

#book003of350 #amreading #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2025 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds

[Sofia George · Rating 1 out of 5]

Literally made an account on this website just so i could give it a 1 star review. How dare they sneak in the "identity crisis" like that in a childrens book. I read it to my son at night after readimg the first chapter by myself because it seemed innocent enough. But later i kept having this feeling as if they tried to sneak in some kind of transgender political b.s. into it. After further research i concluded i was not the only one feeling this way. Thanks to this book, i will now be FULLY reading every book i buy in the future to ensure i will never be giving someone like this my money.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The joy this book (and all the other Cranky books) brings to our readers is a delight. Hard to keep the books on the shelves. Children often compare themselves and their abilities in every aspect of their lives. To be able to place these books into their hands with such wonderfully created characters who ask the questions and display such empowering affirmations is such a bonus. The celebration of everyone’s individuality is heart warming and knowing that there is a place in the world for each and every child where they will be loved and celebrated is so beautifully addressed.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic Novel
The crankiness continues and so does the friendship. Worm has questions about who he really is and Cranky helps him figure out he is unique and himself. Cranky "lays" an egg and everyone is surprised. Of course, they head for the library to research caring for an egg. When it hatches, everyone is even more surprised by who comes out.
Fun stories that elementary level readers will love.

[Lisa Yee Swope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cranky Chicken makes me want to pull out the sidewalk chalk, or the big toddler crayons, and just draw. The simple line art just makes me happy. So too does the opening story about the happiest nap ever. Everyone should have so well-intentioned a friend as Speedy, even if Cranky is ill-inclined to take recommendations, ever.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cranky Chicken has no time to play with Speedy the worm because it’s nap time—and it is never a good idea for Cranky to skip a nap. Then, Speedy starts having questions of what does it really mean to be a worm? Can Cranky and Speedy find some answers? Later, Cranky and Speedy discover an egg and have to work together to take care of it.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cranky Chicken and Speedy are BACK! I have lots of favorite pages in the third book Katherine Battersby’s graphic novel series - but the library pages take the cake! 🍰🐔🪱 Our Yorkville students will be so pumped to see one of their favorite duos again in CRANKOSAURUS!

[Tweller83 · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/5/23: Cranky Chicken and Speedy are just so darn cute. Love the simple line drawings and the fun little stories, like the first one about a happy nap. Will be considering getting these for the grandchild and will be reading any more in the series. So fun.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is my favourite volume of Cranky Chicken! Cranky Chicken likes libraries and I agree... I love being surrounded by books. I love the library llama. I feel like the illustrations are cuter in this volume. Great stories and adorable illustrations. I loved it!

[Ellen]

Speedy the Worm and Cranky Chicken are a fantastic grumpy/sunshine pair of friends in this charming graphic novel series. Of course I was particularly delighted to see an ode to the library, as a place where it's impossible to be grumpy, but the entire work is a fun addition to the series.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this series, but I think I laughed out loud even more with this one!

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cranky Chicken and his sidekick worm are back at it. Chicken getting cranky over naps and baths, all while finding themselves and being supportive friends. Fun, funny, bright and thought provoking.

[Greg S · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice illustrations. simple concept. nice writing

[Jaymie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars = Good +

Cute new adventures for Cranky Chicken and Speedy

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS THE BEST CRANKY CHICKEN BOOK YET! You will love it, guaranteed. All readers have to meet the Library Llama.

[Rachel Rouleau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first two.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute again. This autistic chicken has my heart.

[Hilary Scroggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elliot says: Because I like all the books about it, and Chicken's favourite/not favourite things.

[Renee Gall · Rating 4 out of 5]

a satisfying conclusion to the cranky chicken saga

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was funny that she laid a turtle egg! I liked the actual big turtle, too

[Blanche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libby Ebook I guess I need a happy bath so I won't be a "cranky chicken" 😂 entertaining book to read to the littles 👍

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

These have gotten better & better!

[Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Series continues with cute art and wholesome dialogue. A great book for young readers.