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Peeping Beauty
Poulette the dancing hen falls into the clutches of a hungry fox, who exploits her desire to become a great ballerina
32 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1993
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Mary Jane Auch
48 books69 followersMary Jane Auch also writes as MJ Auch.
The thought of becoming a writer never occurred to MJ Auch as a child. Her only literary efforts in those days were the plays which she and her girlfriend, Noreen, wrote for their marionettes. They produced these extravaganzas in Noreen’s garage and organized the neighborhood boys into a sales force to sell tickets and refreshments.
Summer visits to both of MJ’s grandmothers led to her fascination with chickens. One grandmother had a small backyard flock and the other grandmother and two bachelor uncles had a large farm that supplied eggs to half of Long Island. MJ learned that a flock of chickens had almost the same range of personalities that could be found in a classroom, from the quiet, shy chicken to the big bully.
MJ loved books and read constantly. She wrote stories, drawn in comic book style with speech balloons for the dialog. Her interest in drawing continued through high school, and she went on to become an art major at Skidmore College. After graduation, MJ headed for New York City to seek fame and fortune, but after a year of designing prints for men's pajamas, she decided she wanted to do something more meaningful with her life. She enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program at Columbia University, which led to some wonderful years of working in a children's hospital near Hartford, Connecticut.
On a brief stop home to visit her parents before transferring to a new job in Denver, she met Herm Auch, a graphic artist and editorial cartoonist for the Rochester newspaper. It was love at first sight, and MJ never made it to Denver. They were married in 1967 and within a few years had produced a daughter, Katrin and a son, Ian. They moved from the city to a small farm, complete with chickens, ducks, and geese. Armed with a huge collection of Mother Earth News and absolutely no practical experience, they tackled farm life with gusto, gaining much comedy material for books MJ’s future books.
As the children grew older, MJ began to look for work in her original field of art. Like Jenna's mother in Mom Is Dating Weird Wayne, she had a brief stint as a “zit zapper” at a school picture factory. Then she started illustrating for Pennywhistle Press, a national children's newspaper, and this sparked her interest in illustrating children’s books.
In the summer of 1984, MJ took a week-long children's writing conference on Cape Cod. She tried to write a picture book manuscript to take to the conference, but instead found herself writing a middle-grade novel. When her instructor, Natalie Babbitt, told of starting out as an artist and finding she could paint better pictures with words, something clicked. MJ finally knew that she wanted to a writer.
She started sending manuscripts to publishers, writing four full-length novels before she sold the first one. Then she sold a second book to another publisher that same week. It had taken two years and thirteen rejections, but MJ had finally reached her goal!mShe continued writing books for older kids and abandoned her dream of illustrating for a while. Then, after nine books, she wrote and illustrated The Easter Egg Farm. This set in motion a series of picture books featuring poultry involved in the arts.
The Auchs have now become a family of artists. Their children are grown and pursuing art careers of their own. Kat, a graphic artist, is now working as Associate Art Director for Scrapbook Answers Magazine in San Francisco. Ian has been a graphic artist and 3-D animator and is now Assistant New Media Editor for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper. Ian is also a metal artist and created the chicken-sized beauty parlor chair for [b:Beauty and the Beaks|1918127|Beaut
The thought of becoming a writer never occurred to MJ Auch as a child. Her only literary efforts in those days were the plays which she and her girlfriend, Noreen, wrote for their marionettes. They produced these extravaganzas in Noreen’s garage and organized the neighborhood boys into a sales force to sell tickets and refreshments.
Summer visits to both of MJ’s grandmothers led to her fascination with chickens. One grandmother had a small backyard flock and the other grandmother and two bachelor uncles had a large farm that supplied eggs to half of Long Island. MJ learned that a flock of chickens had almost the same range of personalities that could be found in a classroom, from the quiet, shy chicken to the big bully.
MJ loved books and read constantly. She wrote stories, drawn in comic book style with speech balloons for the dialog. Her interest in drawing continued through high school, and she went on to become an art major at Skidmore College. After graduation, MJ headed for New York City to seek fame and fortune, but after a year of designing prints for men's pajamas, she decided she wanted to do something more meaningful with her life. She enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program at Columbia University, which led to some wonderful years of working in a children's hospital near Hartford, Connecticut.
On a brief stop home to visit her parents before transferring to a new job in Denver, she met Herm Auch, a graphic artist and editorial cartoonist for the Rochester newspaper. It was love at first sight, and MJ never made it to Denver. They were married in 1967 and within a few years had produced a daughter, Katrin and a son, Ian. They moved from the city to a small farm, complete with chickens, ducks, and geese. Armed with a huge collection of Mother Earth News and absolutely no practical experience, they tackled farm life with gusto, gaining much comedy material for books MJ’s future books.
As the children grew older, MJ began to look for work in her original field of art. Like Jenna's mother in Mom Is Dating Weird Wayne, she had a brief stint as a “zit zapper” at a school picture factory. Then she started illustrating for Pennywhistle Press, a national children's newspaper, and this sparked her interest in illustrating children’s books.
In the summer of 1984, MJ took a week-long children's writing conference on Cape Cod. She tried to write a picture book manuscript to take to the conference, but instead found herself writing a middle-grade novel. When her instructor, Natalie Babbitt, told of starting out as an artist and finding she could paint better pictures with words, something clicked. MJ finally knew that she wanted to a writer.
She started sending manuscripts to publishers, writing four full-length novels before she sold the first one. Then she sold a second book to another publisher that same week. It had taken two years and thirteen rejections, but MJ had finally reached her goal!mShe continued writing books for older kids and abandoned her dream of illustrating for a while. Then, after nine books, she wrote and illustrated The Easter Egg Farm. This set in motion a series of picture books featuring poultry involved in the arts.
The Auchs have now become a family of artists. Their children are grown and pursuing art careers of their own. Kat, a graphic artist, is now working as Associate Art Director for Scrapbook Answers Magazine in San Francisco. Ian has been a graphic artist and 3-D animator and is now Assistant New Media Editor for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper. Ian is also a metal artist and created the chicken-sized beauty parlor chair for [b:Beauty and the Beaks|1918127|Beaut
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 22, 2022
Poulette the hen wants to be a ballerina. Every day she practices while the other hens scratch in the garden. One day a fox appears and tells Poulette that he is a talent promoter. He wants Poulette to perform for an audience, with dinner afterward. Will Poulette believe him - or does he have ulterior motives? Find out in this funny, funny, tale!
Young children would enjoy hearing this story with its lovable characters and colorful illustrations.
Young children would enjoy hearing this story with its lovable characters and colorful illustrations.
January 11, 2019
Poulette the hen wants to be a ballerina. She practices and practices in the chicken yard while the other hens scratch and peck in the yard and the garden. A crafty fox comes a-long calling himself a talent scout for a new production called Peeping Beauty. He's looking for dancers and flatters Poulette until she agrees to dance in the new production. But will she become a ballerina star or the dinner?
The illustrations are bold and colorful. This story has morals: never trust a stranger no matter the flattery, mind other's feelings, stand up for yourself and, as the closing lines say, "A fox is still a fox, no matter what he promises. But a talented hen will never be a chicken dinner." I feel this book is for 6 and up.
The illustrations are bold and colorful. This story has morals: never trust a stranger no matter the flattery, mind other's feelings, stand up for yourself and, as the closing lines say, "A fox is still a fox, no matter what he promises. But a talented hen will never be a chicken dinner." I feel this book is for 6 and up.
October 5, 2015
The plot of Peeping Beauty is a fantastical situation in which a hen dreams of becoming a famous ballerina. Who would have thought a book about a hen who wants to be a ballerina, with many poultry puns, would be a hit? But it was and I enjoyed it! Peeping Beauty is a delightful tale with fun illustrations and a clever story. In this story we have animals with dreams and human emotions, especially empathy. The fox never considers the Poulette's feelings, but she makes sure that when the tables have turned that he gets a taste of what it's like to be someone's dinner. Ultimately, Poulette and her friends let to fox go after threatening to have him for dinner, but they know better than to trust him on his word that he'll never eat poultry again. The story ends on a witty note that "A fox is still a fox, no matter what he promises. But a talented hen will never be a chicken for dinner".
The puns in this book are entertaining, if you were not expecting them. However, upon rereading the book for a second and third time I can see how the cheesy play on words can be irritating. However, I think that is more an adult problem than a child problem. This would be a fun book to read to a class of children because of the comical story and the lovely illustrations. Poulette makes a beautiful ballerina hen! Not to mention, there is a lesson to be learned - that everyone has feelings that should be considered.
The puns in this book are entertaining, if you were not expecting them. However, upon rereading the book for a second and third time I can see how the cheesy play on words can be irritating. However, I think that is more an adult problem than a child problem. This would be a fun book to read to a class of children because of the comical story and the lovely illustrations. Poulette makes a beautiful ballerina hen! Not to mention, there is a lesson to be learned - that everyone has feelings that should be considered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2016
I liked this children's book! There were two main morals: consider other people's feelings and people don't change.
The best part of this book was when Peeping Beauty fought back against the fox and was successful. That sends a message to children that they need to stand up for themselves when they are wronged, which is a valuable and underrated message that should probably be taught more often! The fox didn't consider the chicken's negative feelings about being eaten for dinner, which is an extreme case to teach children to be considerate, but it serves its purpose.
I also liked the last line of the book, "A fox is still a fox, no matter what he promises. But a talented hen will never be a chicken for dinner". This hints at never making the same mistake twice, or trusting people who don't have your best interest in mind. I think this book is valuable in the lessons it contains, but I don't think children would really read into it that much.
The best part of this book was when Peeping Beauty fought back against the fox and was successful. That sends a message to children that they need to stand up for themselves when they are wronged, which is a valuable and underrated message that should probably be taught more often! The fox didn't consider the chicken's negative feelings about being eaten for dinner, which is an extreme case to teach children to be considerate, but it serves its purpose.
I also liked the last line of the book, "A fox is still a fox, no matter what he promises. But a talented hen will never be a chicken for dinner". This hints at never making the same mistake twice, or trusting people who don't have your best interest in mind. I think this book is valuable in the lessons it contains, but I don't think children would really read into it that much.
October 13, 2022
I imagine the target audience will laugh themselves silly. I have to admit, I've never seen a fox get this sort of a comeuppance before. If you have littles, and your library has this, check it out. Especially if you're vegetarians.
August 13, 2019
Poulette the hen wants to be a famous ballerina. One day a fox appears, saying he’s a talent scout, who is putting on a production of Peeping Beauty. Poulette is hesitant at first and her friends warn her that the fox only wants to eat her, but she can’t resist the chance to perform in front of an audience. When the climactic scene comes, instead of kissing Poulette to awaken her, the fox, indeed, tries to eat her. But Poulette and her friends turn the tables on the fox.
February 28, 2023
Poulette the hen has aspirations of becoming a famous ballerina. She practices everyday. One day a Fox after several attempts convinces Poulette to dance on his stage on the hill, but when the show is over the Fox has other plans for Poulette. But little does the Fox realize that the daily warm-up exercises that Poulette has been doing has done her good in more ways than one.
July 23, 2018
This is a good book to talk about tricky people and stranger danger. Poulette wants to dance and be famous. A fox comes along and even though she rebuffs his advances, he keeps coming back to entice her again and again with taking her away to be a ballerina. Will she go?
May 4, 2019
A decent read aloud for elementary age kids about a hen who wants to dance and a fox who learns to consider other people's feelings.
May 19, 2019
163/365
April 10, 2021
Cute book about a chicken who wants to be a famous ballerina, and a fox who wants to help her achieve her dreams... or does he?
August 2, 2023
Paulette the hen (a dancing ballerina) wants to dance in the upcoming recital. But the clever fox has other ideas and try’s to steal the show. You’ll love this funny story about the foxes sly ways.
October 5, 2024
This was a weird story that kind of rambled, and its lesson was rather foggy.
November 6, 2012
Poulette the chicken so wants to be a professional dance on the stage in New York City. When Fox comes to her one day and says he's a talent scout and would love for her to come to the City with him, Poulette is all for it. But she doesn't want to leave the farm with a stranger, especially a fox! The other hens warn her against going with the fox at any time. But Fox came back and told Poulette that he had a costume just for her and he had posters made! By now, Poulette has stars in her eyes and feels she must go.
When she gets to the "theater" Fox tells her that the place is packed. Poulette can't check because the lights are to bright. So she begins to dance and is having a fabulous time when suddenly Fox is on stage with her for the "finale." She opens her eyes and looks up, Fox is not trying to kiss her. He's trying to eat her!
Quick as a wink Poulette is able to get away and run back to the farm. Fox follows her and is confronted by a bunch of angry chickens. When they pin him down and threaten to eat him, Fox begs for his life. Eventually the girls get a promise out of him that he will become a vegetarian. So they let him go.
A humorous tale that could be used for a lesson on lying.
When she gets to the "theater" Fox tells her that the place is packed. Poulette can't check because the lights are to bright. So she begins to dance and is having a fabulous time when suddenly Fox is on stage with her for the "finale." She opens her eyes and looks up, Fox is not trying to kiss her. He's trying to eat her!
Quick as a wink Poulette is able to get away and run back to the farm. Fox follows her and is confronted by a bunch of angry chickens. When they pin him down and threaten to eat him, Fox begs for his life. Eventually the girls get a promise out of him that he will become a vegetarian. So they let him go.
A humorous tale that could be used for a lesson on lying.
April 20, 2011
This is a fun tale about a chicken who is mislead by a crafty wolf. Her dreams of stardom are fed by this wiley character and, although she is warned by her friends, she wants desperately to believe him. The story comes to a dramatic climax, but then has a funny (and happy) ending. We enjoyed listening to this story narrated on audiocassette while we followed along with the book. We got this set as a kit from our local library and it included a paperback book with ISBN 0823411702/ISBN13 9780823411702.
August 28, 2013
Poulette is a hen whom aspires to be a famous ballerina one day and refuses to listen to the other hens when they tell her all the practicing she does is a waste a time and she'll never make it. But one day an avid fox came along saying he was a talent agent and had a really good spot for her in New York. Poulette knows she shouldn't go off with a stranger, especially not a fox but he ends up convincing her and soon finds out the fox really wants her for dinner and not as a performer.
October 7, 2016
"Fox tries to eat chicken" children's book genre. This chicken wants to be a famous ballerina. This fox tries to convince her that he can make her so. Little by little her defenses are worn down. Fox tries to eat her. She and her chicken friends decide that they will eat the fox instead...to scare him off.
August 19, 2009
Mommy says: Auch has rewritten a number of fairy tales from a chicken's perspective. In Peeping Beauty, as in her other books, Auch heavily loads the narrative with poultry puns. It went beyond annoying to downright distracting, to the point where I refuse to read any more of her books. Argh!
April 12, 2011
This is a book about a chicken who has always dreamed of being a dancer. She wants to achieve her dreams of being a dancer so badly that she trusts a fox to help her make a name for herself. I don't think it sends a safe message, but is good for encouraging students to always follow their dreams.
November 15, 2011
Poulette wants to be a dancer more than anything, and she comes across a sly fox who uses her dream to lure her into believing him. Just like in 'Sleeping Beauty,' she is to prick her finger on a spindle, but this time the fox wants to eat her!
February 25, 2017
This is a book about a fox that tries to con a hen into thinking she is going to be a star when what he really wants is her for dinner. This story was interesting as was the illustrations. Myself and my daughter enjoyed this book. Would recommend.
October 22, 2010
Poultry puns galore.
April 17, 2012
Great reading even for adults lol!
June 9, 2012
One of Skye's favorites! We checked it out from the library with the cd and listened to it over and over. Poultry puns galore and clever storytelling.
October 25, 2012
I love Mary Jane Auch's poultry books. This is the first one I read and I still laugh whenever I read it.
themes: ballet, chickens, foxes, militant vegetarianism, self-defense
themes: ballet, chickens, foxes, militant vegetarianism, self-defense
October 29, 2015
What a fun story! It's an interesting play on sleeping beauty and is easily relatable to kids.
March 11, 2016
my daughter and I really enjoyed this book. it was short and sweet and to the point. I enjoyed reading this book and my daughter can't wait for me to read it again.
August 10, 2016
This is a surprisingly good way to teach kids to avoid internet scammers.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews