Argus

by Michelle Knudsen, Andréa Wesson (Illustrator)

From the author of the best-selling Library Lion comes a funny, heartfelt picture book about embracing the unusual, green scales and all.

Sally's class is doing a science project, and Mrs. Henshaw is handing out eggs for hatching. "Mine looks different," says Sally. "Don't be difficult," says Mrs. Henshaw. When Sally's egg cracks, what emerges is something green and scaly with big yellow eyes. Argus isn't like the other chicks;he isn't small and fuzzy, and he doesn't like seeds and bugs. He'd rather eat other chicks (or children, as he grows even bigger). Watching the other kids playing with their identical chicks, Sally wonders, would she be better off without Argus? With sly humor and a subtle tug at the heartstrings, Michelle Knudsen hatches a story about learning not just to tolerate, but to love what is different, while Andrea Wesson's endearing illustrations bring the tale to life with quirky details and offbeat charm.

Genres: Picture Books, Dragons, Fantasy, Fiction, Childrens, School, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 22, 2011

About the author

I'm the New York Times best-selling author of more than 50 books for young readers for all ages, including the award-winning picture book Library Lion, which was selected by Time magazine as one of the 100 Best Children's Books of All Time. My other books include the picture book Marilyn's Monster (NPR's Best Books of 2015) and the novels The Dragon of Trelian (VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers) and Evil Librarian (YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults; Sid Fleischman Humor Award Winner). My newest book is LUIGI, THE SPIDER WHO WANTED TO BE A KITTEN (a new picture book with the wonderful Kevin Hawkes, published 3/5/2024). Next up will be INTO THE WILD MAGIC, a new middle grade fantasy novel coming August 2025.

I also work as a freelance editor and teach in Lesley University's MFA program in writing for young people.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS Soo adorable! I just loved this story about a girl who gets a very... different-looking egg for her class project of raising chicks. At first, she is disgruntled that her egg and eventual chick look so different from the others, but eventually she comes to realize that different can be good! As my friend Chandra pointed out in her review (thanks for the recommendation, Chandra!), the book doesn't shy away from showing that being different can be lonely and arduous, but there are also rewards! The message is isn't too heavy-handed and the overall effect is charming and humorous. The illustrations are darling (reminded me a bit of Trisha Tusa's work) All in all, a real winner! :-)

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Argus is adorable with a capital A. This is a wonderful picture book for children who enjoy outrageously silly stories. There is a message there about how being different is okay, to be welcomed at times, but generally this book is just for fun. It’s so over the top that nobody, no matter how young, is going to take it completely seriously. Very cute! The names of the chicks are great. The teacher is a hoot; I really appreciated how she “told off” the adults as much as the children. And, the illustrations are marvelous and perfectly enhance the story. It’s a joy to read and a fine read aloud book.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "unusual egg which hatches out into a dragon" theme - also explored in middle-grade fantasies such as Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher and Weird Henry Berg , not to mention early readers like Dragon Trouble - is given a schoolroom setting in Michelle Knudson's Argus, a sweet picture-book about a class science project that produces some... unusual results. When Sally notes that her egg is different from the others, her teacher, Mrs. Henshaw, replies: Don't be difficult," a response that she uses again and again, as Sally notes the differences between her hatchling, and the other chicks. But when Argus goes missing, and Sally - who decides she likes her unusual charge after all - is distraught, Mrs. Henshaw and the other students rush to help.

As the friend who recommended this one to me noted in her own review, the picture-book world is awash with the "different is cool" message right now. Argus stands out from the crowd, however, not simply because it highlights the difficulties of being different, rather than just concentrating on the pleasures, but also because the artwork, done by Andréa Wesson in watercolor and ink, is so very engaging. I liked the message here, but I also liked the humor and heart of the story, with Sally's ambiguous feelings, and Argus' disruptive habits. The finale, in which Mrs. Henshaw directs her "Don't be difficult" at someone other than Sally, really had me chuckling!

[529_Amalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Argus by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Andrea Wesson. Sally and her class are doing a science project, hatching eggs. As her teacher, Mrs. Henshaw, is passing out the eggs, Sally’s, not cream colored and small like the rest but bigger and green with yellow spots. Mrs. Henshaw comments “…don’t be difficult. Some eggs just look different.” As the class watches their eggs hatch, Sally’s egg has something emerging, it’s green and scaly and has big yellow eyes. The students respond with “Ewww” and Mrs. Henshaw responds with “…don’t be difficult. Some chicks just, uh, look different-that’s all.” Sally names the chick Argus. The class measured and drew pictures of their chicks every day. Sally’s looked different, not small and yellow and fluffy like the rest of the class. When it came time to investigate what the chicks ate, while the other chicks ate seeds and bugs, Argus wanted to eat the other chicks. As Argus got bigger he stopped wanting to eat the chicks and now wanted to eat the children instead. Outside at recess, Argus chewed a big hole that the other chicks fell in. Everything Argus did the students complained, he didn’t do what the other chicks did. When Sally feels that her chick isn’t working out, Mrs. Henshaw tells her “…don’t be difficult. Just go ahead and mark your chick’s height on the wall with the rest of the students.” When Argus suddenly disappears, Sally thought she would be happy…she wasn’t. As the rest of the class used her drawings, they were on their way to help find Argus. They found Argus digging for bugs in someone’s front yard. Sally was so happy to find him. Mrs. Henshaw thanked the home owners for finding their chick. The home owners questioned Mrs. Henshaw about the holes in their yard and Mrs. Henshaw’s remarks….”don’t be difficult.”
A Kirkus review, recommends ages 4-7. Knudsen states that while writing this story she tried to think of ways Argus could win over Sally and the rest of the class. But realized he doesn’t have to do anything other than be his own unique self. She just had to help Sally to love him too. Knudsen does a great job of using Sally to have readers really like Argus, even though he is different. Argus, always referred to as a chick, Knudsen also does a great job with never revealing Argus’s true identity with words but is unmistakable in picture, letting the readers draw their own conclusion. Making Mrs. Henshaw truly clueless in the fact that Argus was REALLY different than all the rest adds some of the humor for the older readers and adults. Wesson does an amazing job with the clean lines and muted colors, the ink and watercolor artwork to truly engage the reader. This would be a fun read-aloud book for the younger grades. I also feel it would be a great story to use to introduce the process of hatching chicks and a great discussion starter, what would you do if…?

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

When her class at school does a science project with eggs, Sally’s egg looks very different from the regular white chicken eggs. Hers is much larger and polka-dotted. When the others eggs hatch, the fluffy yellow chicks emerge. When Sally’s egg hatches, out comes something scaly and green. Argus is completely different from the other chicks. He doesn’t eat seeds, instead he’s rather eat the other chicks. Perhaps even the students! Sally finds herself longing for a yellow, fluffy, normal chick of her own. But when Argus disappears, she realizes that he has become very special to her and that his own unique qualities are what make him himself.

Knudsen has created a picture book that is very funny. She plays up the humor of a dragon emerging from an egg in a classroom. I also enjoyed the role of the teacher, Mrs. Henshaw, who takes all of the differences and surprises in stride, managing all of the situations without getting flustered. It is as matter-of-fact a book about a dragon as you are likely to find, which is a large part of its charm.

Wesson’s illustrations have a light touch and lots of details. The yellow chicks are roly poly and jolly. Argus is not. Yet children will never be afraid of Argus because he wears a smile and has friendly yellow eyes. Another touch from Wesson are the graphs and measurements that the class makes of their “chicks.” Argus definitely does not conform.

A funny, wry book about differences and acceptance, this book will be welcome in libraries and classrooms as a way to discuss difficult subjects with humor. Appropriate for ages 5-8.

[Sarah W · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Mrs. Henshaw hands out eggs for a science project, Sally is concerned because hers looks different. When beaks start poking through the shells of incubated eggs, Sally's comes out green and scaly. The teacher tries to pass off Sally's hatched creature as a chick that looks different. Sally names him Argus.

Argus grows faster than the other chicks. He doesn't look the same or eat the same. When the other chicks peck, Argus chews a hole in the ground. When Argus eventually disappears, Sally is at first relieved, but she keeps worrying about him. This story could be a fun introduction to any science unit where children raise an insect or animal.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Sally's class hatches eggs for a science project, all the other kids get fluffy little chicks. Sally gets Argus, a baby dragon that just isn't like the other chicks. Sally struggles to accept Argus, mainly because he is so different. She is even secretly relieved when he gets lost one day. A fun story that is not heavy-handed, but addresses the issue of fitting in that kids deal with on a regular basis. Appropriate for elementary kids.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Argus is a funny and touching story that celebrates being different. I loved the watercolor-like illustrations. The characters and story are well developed.

I like how on one of the pages the font changes to a bolder and bigger font (to match the title font). I wish there were even more font changes! I think young kids would enjoy seeing different fonts, and maybe even different colors.

While the recommended age is 4-7, I think kids of all ages would love this book!

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

June's favorite of all the dragon books I picked up at the library. When the class hatches chicks for a classroom project, Argus is surprisingly different. It's an elementary school setting picture book. And it even has a message: being different is sometimes hard, but a lot more interesting! It has humor that makes it very re-readable. (An unflappable teacher whose mantra is "Don't be difficult".)

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

well the first line that the teacher says is a turn-off! and she repeats it throughout the story. i also don't like how everyone, including the teacher, doesn't see the obvious and continue to ignore sally's "chick" even when she tries to eat everyone. in other words, it makes everyone look stupid.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally's chick is... different from the other kids' chicks in science class. Argus tries to eat the other chicks and Sally just wants a chick like everyone else! But when Argus disappears, what will Sally do?

This story celebrating differences is poignant and touching. Highly recommended!

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute picture book about what happens when a class project to hatch and raise chickens goes awry when one girl hatches a dragon.

The story was nice, but I kept getting distracted by the absolutely gorgeous illustrations of all the garden flowers and wildflowers in the pictures. Just lovely.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I loved Library LionLibrary Lion so much, I thought I might enjoy more by Michelle Knudsen, and I was right! Argus pulls the heartstrings and imparts a gentle message of kindness & acceptance but in a sweet, silly way. Adorable!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bumped up to four stars because of the teacher's reaction when they find Argus in someone's yard. Basically I like that this can be read as a funny & heartwarming adventure, but also metaphorically, about anyone who is 'different.'

[talia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One chick is not like the others....so much fun!

[R. G. Nairam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extra star just for "Don't be difficult."

[Beret Brenckman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being different
Scientific method

[Yotam · Rating 5 out of 5]

מצחיק

[Kristen Thorp · Rating 3 out of 5]

51/365

Thought this book was super cute just wish it didn’t drag on so long.

[Aneesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The teacher is reminiscent of Mary Poppins.

[Tami (agreatbook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book about a girl and her “chick” and how it’s ok to be a little different.

[Adri is Reading]

Liked the sweet pie chart at the end.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's OK to be different

[Team Wolfpack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about being different.

[James Winduss · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book for elementary about an elementary science project which goes awry when one of the eggs being hatched turns out to be a dragon. Good illustrations and story.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl's "chick" hatched for a school project is a bit different which she learns to accept and like.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of Sally’s class was doing a science project with eggs. Sally’s egg looked different than the other children’s eggs. When the eggs hatched, Sally noticed that her chick, who she named Argus, looked different than the other chicks, green, scaly, and with big yellow eyes. Sally’s teacher reminded her that chicks can be different. Sally’s chick continued to be very different than the chicks of the other children, growing much larger than the other chicks, attempting to eat the other chicks, digging enormous holes in the ground rather than pecking quietly for insects.

I found the story to be a clever tale, with Sally’s teacher, quite oddly, refusing to accept Argus as anything other than a peculiar chick, despite the fact that the story takes place in a science class. Everyone loves a dragon, so I think this book will prove to be very popular with the children.

“’Good work, children,’ said Mrs. Henshaw. ‘Now let’s investigate what our little chicks like to eat.’

‘Mine likes seeds!’ said one boy.

‘Mine likes beetles!’ said another.

‘Mine is trying to eat the other chicks,’ said Sally.”

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grades K-3

When Sally's class begins an egg-hatching science project, her egg looks different, and sure enough, the chick that hatches is green and scaly with big yellow eyes. Argus grows quite a bit faster than the other chicks, and while the chicks are learning to eat seeds and beetles, Argus is more tempted by the chicks and the students. Sally tries to make Mrs. Henshaw aware of the situation, but her teacher tells her that some chicks are just different and that she should make the best of it. Sally dreams of a small, fuzzy little chick like all the others, but when Argus wanders off during recess one day, she finds that she cares about her big guy more than she had realized. The class mounts a search for the oversized "chick" and, upon finding him, Sally finally appreciates the lesson that different does not mean bad. Watercolor illustrations by Andrea Wesson are delightfully expressive, and children will get a kick out of the teacher's refusal to admit that there is a dragon in her classroom. A great choice for storytime with younger grades.

[Sweet on Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sally’s class is doing a science project. They put eggs in an incubator and watch them until they hatch. From the start, everything is different for Sally. Her egg is bigger and has spots. Her teacher, Mrs. Henshaw, says “don’t be difficult. Some eggs just look different.” So much for that advice! When it hatches, it looks even more unusual. Her “chick” as everyone continues to call it, looks more like a dinosaur. In an irregular font, we’re told that it is “green” “scaly” and has “big yellow eyes.” Mrs. Henshaw is unperturbed, repeating, her catch phrase about not being difficult. As the chicks grow, Sally’s becomes a bit of a terror and they’re forced to separate it from the other chicks/kids. Sally begins to feel badly that her chick, now named Argus, isn’t like the others, but when he goes missing, she realizes how special he is and that being different is not so bad. The fun illustrations nicely capture the classroom setting, the mischievous Argus and Mrs. Henshaw’s casual attitude.