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The Wolf's Chicken Stew
The wolf loves to eat more than anything in the world and one day he has a terrible craving for chicken stew. He spots a chicken who seems just right, but then he thinks how much more stew there will be if he fattens her up before dining himself. So he goes home and begins to cook all kinds of scrumptious food for the chicken to eat. A big surprise is in store for the wolf when he finally visits Mrs. Chicken to collect his meal.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
About the author
Keiko Kasza
26 books62 followersKeiko was born on a small island in the Inland Sea of Japan. She grew up in a typical Japanese extended family with her parents, two brothers, and grandparents. Uncles, aunts, and cousins also lived nearby. She came to the United States in 1973 to continue her education, and in 1976 she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in graphic arts from California State University at Northridge.
While working as a graphic designer, Keiko read Leo Lionni’s masterful work, Frederick, and she became interested in picture books. She began experimenting with picture books in her free time. Her first book was published in 1981 in Japan and thereafter she continued to publish in her native language. The Wolf’s Chicken Stew, a 1987 ALA notable book and the winner of the 1989 Kentucky Bluegrass Award, was her first work to be published in the United States. She has now published 22 books and her work is translated into 16 languages.
Keiko compares the process of creating a book to acting on stage under the lights: “I become the character that I’m working on at that moment. I pretend that I’m a bird looking for a mother, or a pig trying to impress his girlfriend. When I’m acting, I’m a child myself.” Her ambition is not to create a hundred books but to create one really good book that will be kept on the bookshelves for generations (although a hundred good books would be even better, of course!)
Keiko Kasza lives in Bloomington, Indiana with her husband, a professor of Japanese politics at Indiana University, and they have two sons.
While working as a graphic designer, Keiko read Leo Lionni’s masterful work, Frederick, and she became interested in picture books. She began experimenting with picture books in her free time. Her first book was published in 1981 in Japan and thereafter she continued to publish in her native language. The Wolf’s Chicken Stew, a 1987 ALA notable book and the winner of the 1989 Kentucky Bluegrass Award, was her first work to be published in the United States. She has now published 22 books and her work is translated into 16 languages.
Keiko compares the process of creating a book to acting on stage under the lights: “I become the character that I’m working on at that moment. I pretend that I’m a bird looking for a mother, or a pig trying to impress his girlfriend. When I’m acting, I’m a child myself.” Her ambition is not to create a hundred books but to create one really good book that will be kept on the bookshelves for generations (although a hundred good books would be even better, of course!)
Keiko Kasza lives in Bloomington, Indiana with her husband, a professor of Japanese politics at Indiana University, and they have two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
February 11, 2026
A wolf has a plan to fatten up a chicken before he plops her in his stew, but his plan goes awry in a silly way.
My daughter liked this story when she was three, but then and now I was pulling for the tasty stew. Happy ending be damned, I choose to believe the wolf is just playing the long game in order to have an endless supply of soup stock down the road.
My daughter liked this story when she was three, but then and now I was pulling for the tasty stew. Happy ending be damned, I choose to believe the wolf is just playing the long game in order to have an endless supply of soup stock down the road.
September 30, 2021
You hear about books being windows and mirrors. If a book is a "window," it allows you to see and learn about something outside of your lived experience, if it's a "mirror," it's a reflection of something you can relate to. Well, this book was a definite mirror for me. The first lines saying, "There once lived a wolf who loved to eat more than anything else in the world. As soon as he finished one meal, he began to think of the next" hit a little too close to home for me. :)
Overall, a cute story about a wolf, baked goods, and a failed chicken stew.
Overall, a cute story about a wolf, baked goods, and a failed chicken stew.
August 27, 2013
We all loved this book. Probably around a level 1 reading book, I read this to the kids at lunch. When mouths have food in them, it tends to be quieter, not much, but a little. My 3 yr old twins loved this as well as my 5 yr old. It was engaging, and adorable, with an ending we didn't really see coming. A nice twist that kept all interested, this is a great addition to any children's collection.
February 20, 2021
An oldie but still a goodie. ;)
The wolf had a good plan but the reconnaissance was lacking. The illustrations are good. I think the chicken is adorable.
Did this book leave you craving cake?
The wolf had a good plan but the reconnaissance was lacking. The illustrations are good. I think the chicken is adorable.
Did this book leave you craving cake?
May 23, 2022
A ravenous wolf gets his just desserts by serving up fattening confections to a neighboring chicken, the intended main ingredient of his next dinner. Quirky illustrations dramatize the wolf’s scrumptious scheme and the chicken’s clever subterfuge. Kindness is indeed its own reward, even the calculating kind.
January 16, 2023
The Wolf's Chicken Stew is definitely a Text-to-World Connection. In our world today there is a lot of judging, hate and prejudice. Organisms are wired to behave and react based on the genetic makeup and exposure. This does not mean that the prejudices cannot be redirected to be more positive and for the better. The Wolf from what he knows his position is to stop that chicken at any cost, but to ensure he is fully satisfied unbeknown to him he stays focused on his gold not realizing his action is helping an individual in need. Seeing the chicken for who she is and how grateful for his deed his initial goal has changed for a more pleasant outcome.
April 16, 2026
Not as great as My Lucky Day!, but still fun.
April 12, 2021
This book tells a story of a hungry wolf who plots to fatten up a chicken before catching and eating it. He does this by leaving copious amounts of sweets and treats outside the chicken’s door at night. When he finally goes to catch the chicken, the chicken thanks him for the food and the wolf comes to realize he has actually been feeding the chicken’s large family. The wolf leaves, debating what to make for the chicken’s family next. This book teaches children about plot twists, having them clearly expect one situation to unfold, only to be surprised when something entirely different ends up happening. It also teaches children a lesson about the importance of caring for those around you. The book creates an endearing tone for child readers by personifying animals, even going so far as to have the chicken refer to the wolf as “Uncle Wolf” to his children. One very effective aspect of the illustrations in this book is how it furthers the personifications of the animals. While the animals are personified throughout the story by cooking and living in houses, the illustrations take this to the next level by showing the wolf in a chef’s hat, using mixing bowls and other cooking utensils, as well as walking on its hind legs like a human. The chicken is also portrayed wearing a bonnet. This visual personification helps effectively hold the interest and attention of young readers.
I gave this book four stars because it is a fun book to read. The large watercolor illustrations are vibrant and appealing to the eye. The story is touching and heartfelt, and the basic defying of original expectations will be incredibly exciting to a young, unexpecting reader who is new to plot twists. This is undoubtedly a book I would share with my own children.
I gave this book four stars because it is a fun book to read. The large watercolor illustrations are vibrant and appealing to the eye. The story is touching and heartfelt, and the basic defying of original expectations will be incredibly exciting to a young, unexpecting reader who is new to plot twists. This is undoubtedly a book I would share with my own children.
February 23, 2018
The thing that Wolf loves more than anything, Food. As soon as he is done eating one meal he is getting ready to plan and prep for the next meal. One day he gets a craving for chicken stew, but first he needs to find a chicken. When he finally finds one and is about to catch it, he decides that if he were to fatten her up, he'll have more stew for himself. That is exactly what he sets out to do, the first night he leaves her 100 pancakes, the second night he sets out 100 donuts, and the third night a 100lb cake! He is sure she will be nice and plump by the fourth day. However, he finds a big surprise when he goes to collect his main ingredient for his stew.
This is a great story to read to out loud to young children. The illustrations are easy to follow and there is minimal text on the pages. It is also a great opportunity to talk about the intentions behind one action can have a different unintended result.
This is a great story to read to out loud to young children. The illustrations are easy to follow and there is minimal text on the pages. It is also a great opportunity to talk about the intentions behind one action can have a different unintended result.
September 10, 2019
The Wold's Chicken stew is humorous and a great read! The wolf plans to eat the chicken by putter he in his stew but he decided he wants to "fatten" her up before he eats her! He bakes all kinds of yummy desserts and leaves it out for the chicken. Once he goes to actually get the chicken he sees that he has actually been feeding her millions of babies! Instead of eating the chickens he decides to bake more cookies for the babies. I think this book has a hidden message to be nice and it kind of teaches kids to treat others with respect. The illustrations are beautifully made and look like water paint!
September 4, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book because it teaches a wonderful lesson. Even something so scary as a wolf can still have love in its heart. This was just a simple book, filled with illustrations and an ending you weren't expecting.
October 24, 2018
I loved this book. It is great traditional literature for grades K-2. It is a very cute book and has a fun twist at the end. I think that kids of any age would enjoy this book. I would definitely recommend it for a classroom.
November 6, 2018
The Wolf spies a Chicken for his stew, but decides to fatten her up first, and leaves food at her door at night for her to gorge herself on. When he thinks she's nice, and plump for his stew, he sneaks up to her door, and is shocked by what he discovers.
January 25, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. The way he lets the chicken and her family live, is a perfect of example of how sometimes we spend so much time obsessing over something in life we realize it isn't worth it at all. We also spend so much time preparing for something we never take the actual chance.
February 8, 2012
Love sharing this one on the 100th day of school!
January 20, 2025
Escrito para niños y leído en dos semanas, día a día, El Estofado del Lobo de Keiko Kasza comienza con una narración prometedora y atractiva. Las ilustraciones detalladas y llenas de vida crearon expectativas en los niños manteniéndolos intrigados mientras se desarrollaba la misma. Sin embargo, cuando llegó el final, cayó como mosca en el café, sin ganas de salvarse y muriendo lentamente.
El desenlace resulta prematuro, casi desapercibido y con un aire de desesperación por cerrar la trama, perdiendo así la fuerza de sus intenciones genuinas. Aunque el lobo, como protagonista, está bien perfilado, la historia en su conjunto carece de una conclusión satisfactoria. Una idea más creativa, como alimentar a los otros pollos o introducir un personaje adicional que complemente la trama, podría haberle dado mayor interacción y dinamismo.
Con un inicio cautivador pero una conclusión floja y torpe, la historia deja una sensación de insatisfacción que no logra corresponderse con el potencial inicial. Se puede semejar con el rumor de la llegada de la nieve a la ciudad, se pronostica su euforia todo el mes de diciembre para que al final solo haga frío y neblina, entonces la decepción se genera automática, muere la emoción, aunque no fuese la intención desde el principio del autor.
No había leído la historia y la leí con los niños en clase, el final fue tan chocante y banal para ellos y para mi. Nos la pasamos bien desde el principio, por eso el consenso de la calificación se refleja, pero…
El desenlace resulta prematuro, casi desapercibido y con un aire de desesperación por cerrar la trama, perdiendo así la fuerza de sus intenciones genuinas. Aunque el lobo, como protagonista, está bien perfilado, la historia en su conjunto carece de una conclusión satisfactoria. Una idea más creativa, como alimentar a los otros pollos o introducir un personaje adicional que complemente la trama, podría haberle dado mayor interacción y dinamismo.
Con un inicio cautivador pero una conclusión floja y torpe, la historia deja una sensación de insatisfacción que no logra corresponderse con el potencial inicial. Se puede semejar con el rumor de la llegada de la nieve a la ciudad, se pronostica su euforia todo el mes de diciembre para que al final solo haga frío y neblina, entonces la decepción se genera automática, muere la emoción, aunque no fuese la intención desde el principio del autor.
No había leído la historia y la leí con los niños en clase, el final fue tan chocante y banal para ellos y para mi. Nos la pasamos bien desde el principio, por eso el consenso de la calificación se refleja, pero…
July 23, 2024
The Wolf's Chicken Stew, written and illustrated by Keiko Kasza, is a splendid story about a wolf whose favorite pastime revolves around food. One day, he gets a hankering for chicken stew, so he goes out and about to search for a chicken for his stewpot. He spots one in the forest, but instead of grabbing her right then and there, he decides to fatten her up by baking her all kinds of yummy treats. Little does he know that this decision will lead to an unexpected outcome.
The Wolf's Chicken Stew is a delightfully engaging story with good-hearted humor and precious illustrations. I love the wolf's tenacity even though his goal is to eat the chicken in a stew. I choose to believe the chicken is aware of the wolf's intentions but does not judge or treat him like a "Big Bad Wolf." Other messages in this story center around empathy, acceptance, and making good choices. It is also a wonderful mentor text to teach cause and effect, making predictions, writing about favorite foods or animals, as well as math concepts with the number 100. In fact, this book would be great to include in 100 Days of School activities.
The Wolf's Chicken Stew is a delightfully engaging story with good-hearted humor and precious illustrations. I love the wolf's tenacity even though his goal is to eat the chicken in a stew. I choose to believe the chicken is aware of the wolf's intentions but does not judge or treat him like a "Big Bad Wolf." Other messages in this story center around empathy, acceptance, and making good choices. It is also a wonderful mentor text to teach cause and effect, making predictions, writing about favorite foods or animals, as well as math concepts with the number 100. In fact, this book would be great to include in 100 Days of School activities.
February 15, 2018
The thing that Wolf loves more than anything, Food. As soon as he is done eating one meal he is getting ready to plan and prep for the next meal. One day he gets a craving for chicken stew, but first he needs to find a chicken. When he finally finds one and is about to catch it, he decides that if he were to fatten her up, he'll have more stew for himself. That is exactly what he sets out to do, the first night he leaves her 100 pancakes, the second night he sets out 100 donuts, and the third night a 100lb cake! He is sure she will be nice and plump by the fourth day. However, he finds a big surprise when he goes to collect his main ingredient for his stew.
This is a great story to read to out loud to young children. the illustrations are easy to follow and there is minimal text on the pages. It is also a great opportunity to talk about the intentions behind one action can have a different unintended result.
This is a great story to read to out loud to young children. the illustrations are easy to follow and there is minimal text on the pages. It is also a great opportunity to talk about the intentions behind one action can have a different unintended result.
January 24, 2023
This is an oldie from 1987 but it is also a goodie. And I think kids will love this silly wolf.
Wolf loved to eat! One day he got a terrible craving for chicken stew. After a long day searching in the forest he finally sees one. But, hmm, she’s a wee bit too skinny. Wolf tries to think up ways to fatten the chicken so there would be more stew for him. He made one hundred pancakes, and doughnuts, and a cake weighing 100 pounds and left them on the chicken’s porch. “Eat well, my pretty chicken. Get nice and fat for my stew.” After a while the wolf peeks into the chicken’s house to see if she is fat enough for his stew yet. Shes not! But there’s 100 excited little chicks happy to meet their generous, Uncle Wolf!
Cute funny story with beautiful illustrations. The blues of the night scenes are especially gorgeous.
Wolf loved to eat! One day he got a terrible craving for chicken stew. After a long day searching in the forest he finally sees one. But, hmm, she’s a wee bit too skinny. Wolf tries to think up ways to fatten the chicken so there would be more stew for him. He made one hundred pancakes, and doughnuts, and a cake weighing 100 pounds and left them on the chicken’s porch. “Eat well, my pretty chicken. Get nice and fat for my stew.” After a while the wolf peeks into the chicken’s house to see if she is fat enough for his stew yet. Shes not! But there’s 100 excited little chicks happy to meet their generous, Uncle Wolf!
Cute funny story with beautiful illustrations. The blues of the night scenes are especially gorgeous.
February 13, 2020
I was thinking about putting this under my "true crime' shelf. I am a little conflicted over this one. The ending is delightful, but do we really want to tell children that someone like scary wolf who only fails to commit his "murder" because he didn't do enough research to realize his target had 100 children. Holy smokes! One hundred chicks could have ganged up on him if he wasn't lucky enough to fool them into thinking he was not meaning them any harm in the first place. In the back of my mind I was thinking back to my childhood when grown-ups cautioned you from taking candy from strangers because they might mean you harm. In this case I do not think we need to tell children that their first reaction to a very scary person aka wolf is incorrect.
February 13, 2023
The wolf in this story is hungry and would like to eat a chicken for dinner. But the chicken he sees is more on the scrawny side so the wolf decides to fatten it up first. He drops off 100 doughnuts, as well as 100 of other treats. When he comes knocking on the chicken's door, he notices she isn't much different in size, but sees she has 100 chicks. The chicken is so grateful for the food, the chicks call the wolf "Uncle!" The wolf changes his plans and is a little happy to go home and make 100 cookies for the chicks.
Cute story with a nice twist that the wolf can change and plans can be adapted--often in better ways we imagine.
We read this story for our 100 day and the kids enjoyed it quite a bit.
Cute story with a nice twist that the wolf can change and plans can be adapted--often in better ways we imagine.
We read this story for our 100 day and the kids enjoyed it quite a bit.
December 5, 2021
Οι ιστορίες με λύκους καλούς είναι αναμφισβήτητα οι αγαπημένες μου. Έτσι λοιπόν και ο λαίμαργος αυτός λύκος 🐺 έβαλε στο μάτι μια κοτούλα , μα αντί να την αρπάξει με μιας να την κάνει σουπίτσα , σκέφτηκε να την παχύνει , να την κάνει στρουμπουλή και όλο έστελνε γλυκά στο κατώφλι της και έτριβε ικανοποιημένος τα χέρια όταν δεν έβλεπε ούτε ψίχουλο... Άραγε η κοτούλα κατάφερε να τον μεταμορφώσει σε έναν δοτικό καλούλη λύκο ; 🐥🐥Τα μικρά κοτοπουλάκια της 🐥🐥 του κράτησαν κακία ή τον θεωρούσαν έναν μάγειρα με καλή καρδιά;
Ένα βιβλίο με ηθικό δίδαγμα να δείχνουμε τον δρόμο της καλοσύνης ακόμη κι να μέσα μας βράζουμε από επιθυμία για κάτι που μπορεί να είναι κακό για τον άλλο , πάντοτε να βρίσκουμε την λύση εκείνη που θα κατευνάζει μέσα μας την επιθυμία και θα μας αλλάξει γνώμη ή και ρότα προς κάτι πραγματικά χρήσιμο και ωφέλιμο. 🌟🌟🌟
Ένα βιβλίο με ηθικό δίδαγμα να δείχνουμε τον δρόμο της καλοσύνης ακόμη κι να μέσα μας βράζουμε από επιθυμία για κάτι που μπορεί να είναι κακό για τον άλλο , πάντοτε να βρίσκουμε την λύση εκείνη που θα κατευνάζει μέσα μας την επιθυμία και θα μας αλλάξει γνώμη ή και ρότα προς κάτι πραγματικά χρήσιμο και ωφέλιμο. 🌟🌟🌟
December 7, 2023
Read Aloud, Children book, Tales
Wolf sees a chicken he think would be perfect for this chicken stew. Wolf comes up with an idea to make his soup even better. When Wolfs plan isn't working out the way he thought, Wolf has a change of plans.
This book is great for a read aloud because of the learning points and the questions that can be asked throughout the text. Good stopping points and students can infer what happens next based on what is happening.
Wolf sees a chicken he think would be perfect for this chicken stew. Wolf comes up with an idea to make his soup even better. When Wolfs plan isn't working out the way he thought, Wolf has a change of plans.
This book is great for a read aloud because of the learning points and the questions that can be asked throughout the text. Good stopping points and students can infer what happens next based on what is happening.
September 13, 2023
I dimly remember someone telling this story at a storytelling festival. Kasza's stories have a universal feeling to them as if they could belong to so many different cultures. I loved that the wolf
January 11, 2018
Cute picture book with a nice lesson in how doing something nice for others can change our motivations or our thinking towards others. Or, with a less generous view of the wolf, the lesson could speak to positive peer pressure or the impact of smiles and encouraging words.
July 9, 2020
Wolf is in the mood for chicken stew, but when he spots a chicken he decides to fatten her up before he eats her. After days of taking delicious baked goods to the chicken, he arrives at her house to eat her...but finds a surprise!
April 9, 2021
A hilarious parody on the original big bad wolf story. Kids will love this story and want it read over and over. I recommend this book to families and silly story times at school. This book would also be funny for any age to read because it is so comedic.
March 4, 2022
Loved it as a kid. I used to have my Grandma read it to me all the time when I went over to her house. I still have the book. Was randomly thinking about it the other day. Probably nostalgia for the memories but I don't care. If I have kids one day I will read it and pass it down to them.
June 1, 2017
A fun, short book to keep a toddler's attention with a silly and sweet twist at the end.
April 19, 2018
Cute! I'd love to read this and Mo Willems' That Is NOT a Good Idea! in the same storytime.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews