Owen's Marshmallow Chick

Mouse Books

by Kevin Henkes

"My favorite," said Owen when he saw the marshmallow chick.

"My favorite," you will say when you read this book.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Holiday, Fantasy

24 pages, Board Book

First published January 22, 2002

About the author

Kevin Henkes is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. As an illustrator he won the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon (2004). Two of his books were Newbery Medal Honor Books, Olive's Ocean in 2004 and The Year of Billy Miller in 2014. His picture book Waiting was named both a 2016 Caldecott Honor Book and a Geisel Honor Book. It was only the second time any author has won that combination of awards.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of course and truly, I majorly understand and realise that for very young children (and in particular for those children who enjoy tales of anthropomorphic mice), both Kevin Henkes' text and his supremely cute accompanying illustrations will probably make Owen's Marshmallow Chick a superbly lovely and delightfully simple Easter themed picture book (and that most young readers or listeners will likely also be heartily cheering that Owen refuses to eat his marshmallow chick and that it therefore becomes as much and as cherished a personal toy and plaything as his, as young Owen's yellow security blanket is).

But while as an older adult reader I can definitely, totally and very much completely so appreciate and celebrate that Owen's Marshmallow Chick is likely absolutely perfect for young children from about the age of two to four years of age (with a simple and sweet text, delightfully lush and fun illustrations, and really with Owen's Marshmallow Chick wonderfully showing the total joy and delight of young children finding all kinds of delicious goodies and treats in their Easter baskets), sorry, but my own inner child kind of feels like there is more than a bit textually and thematically missing in and with Owen's Marshmallow Chick. For yes, I am definitely rather disappointed that Kevin Henkes simply has Owen decide to not eat his marshmallow chick and this scenario then being the end of the story, as for me, Owen's Marshmallow Chick would be a lot more interesting if either one of Owen's friends or a sibling had taken and eaten his marshmallow chick or if Owen himself had felt pressure to consume, to finally eat his marshmallow chick (from friends or from family members).

So while I do agree that Owen's Marshmallow Chick is a cute little story, for my own inner child, there is just not enough narrationally, verbally content present with Kevin Henkes' words, and that yes, the almost complete lack of action and of possible conflict, well, I do think this rather makes Owen's Marshmallow Chick a trifle tedious and not all that engaging (and thus only a three star book for me and also recommended with the caveat that Owen's Marshmallow Chick does not really feature all that much of an actual plot, not all that much of a story).

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner from Kevin Henkes! This one is a simple boardbook full of heart and understanding. Perfect for kids who just can't stand to gobble up their adorable, animal-shaped Easter goodies ;-) (I was one of those kids so thank you, Mr. Henkes, for capturing that so beautifully!)

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet and so simple and so special! Owen adores *everything* tasty in his Easter basket, but when he gets to the Marshmallow Chick, he decides that perhaps he'd rather play with it then eat it. So cute, and so delightful! Definitely highly, *highly* recommended!

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chocolate isn’t Owen’s very favorite?! While Owen and I might disagree, this is an adorable book that rang so true. Owen goes through his Easter basket and eats the jellybeans, the gumdrops, and the butter cream eggs. However, when he gets to the cute little candy chick he decides he’d rather play with it and love it rather than eat it. This reminded me of friends who had holiday candy in their rooms for months after the holiday had passed. I was not one of those kids. I’d eat the head last, but that chick would have gotten eaten. As usual though, Henkes remembers 100% what it’s like to be a child. I just love his books.

[⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ des ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

an icon. i fear i am owen and ykw hell yeah.

[CarolineDearman RDNG4130 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a mouse named Owen who wakes up Easter morning to find all the treats the Easter Bunny left. He eats the jelly beans, gumdrops, buttercream eggs, and big chocolate bunny first, then he forms a bond with the little marshmallow chick and plays with it all day long.

I can't tell if I like this book because there isn't much to it. It's sweet and it's an easy read, but there really isn't much of a story here.

I think this book could be used in the classroom around Easter time. However, it looks like it's for very young readers so I don't know if I would have it in my classroom.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute board book about a little mouse who just loves his Easter candy. "My favorite!" he says over and over, as he eats it all up. But what will he do when he gets to his Marshmallow chick? We enjoyed reading this book together.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this book my 3 year old only said “well that was short!” Haha

I thought it was a cute book about a greedy mouse who ate all of his candy. I just wanted a lesson about him feeling really sick after doing it!

[D'Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Owen, a plaid overalls wearing mouse, eats an entire Easter basket's worth of candy like a complete glutton and then goes on to fetishize a Peep. Dumb.

[Mackenzie Guthrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woooah! I got this one when I was 3!! (Thank you inscription!)

Owen- I too see all candy as “my favorite,” and love the fact that you found a friend in a marshmallow, you do you lil funky mouse kid w purple suspenders. :D

[Lacy | literary_lacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story that my little ones enjoyed! It would be cute to read around Easter.

Owen keeps the marshmallow chick because he loves it so much. This story is very sweet, and good for younger kids.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure why the child is allowed to eat all his sweets in one morning. If he gets a tummy-ache it's on him? Otherwise, it's a darling book, perfect as a board book for tots, thanks again to the wonderful Henkes.

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute, the two year old could relate!

[Shaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture: this is a great book! a really cute and simple board book about owen's favorite candy from his Easter basket

[J.]

J read April 2020

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Owen eats all the candy in his Easter basket except the yellow marshmallow chick, the same color as his blanket. It's his favorite play mate.

[Citri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sweet. Seeing Owen's yellow blanket will always warm my heart 💛

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Owen eats all his Easter candy except for the marshmallow chick, which he plays with.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a board book that's main topic is candy.
There's some kind of disconnect here... :p
Not sure how candy is an interesting subject for those just starting to eat solid food.

[Elyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book from childhood, my mom read it to my cousin and I listened in haha

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book great pictures

[Kim Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute for Easter.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Owen's Marshmallow Chick is a board-book-size addition to Henkes' mouse world. Simple plot with a little twist at the end.

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I like that he put his chick on the shelf and kissed it.” - Luke

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute series by Kevin Henkes; for several holidays, there is a book based around an appropriate treat. This one is for Easter, so there is a marshmallow chick, or Peep. What is fun about the stories is that even though they each feature the treat, they are not cookie cutter. Each one has a unique story with developed characters from Henkes picture books. In this one, we see Owen and his blanket from his own self titled book. I liked how Owen continued to be sweet and sensitive, as seen through his affection to his blanket and the chick that reminds him of it. I also can taste that kiss every time I read it! The story is cute and explores the word favorite. For me this is particularly fun because Natalie does tend to say many things are her favorite, though she really does know deep down which things are truly special to her.

[Smith Family · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Easter Board Books: http://onceuponatime-bookblog.blogspo...

I loved Henkes's mouse books growing up and was really excited to find out that he wrote a series of board books as well. This one features Owen as he opens his Easter basket and discovers all sorts of candy and a toy chick. Perfect for reading with my one-old-daughter - she loves turning the pages of board books - and the story was cute and simple. And, of course, the famous "fuzzy yellow blanket" made an appearance as well!! Looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series!

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect board book to tuck into an Easter basket along with some bright yellow Peeps! Owen the mouse is thrilled with his Easter basket. He eats his jelly beans, proclaiming them "My favorite." He eats his gumdrops, proclaiming them "My favorite." It seems that every type of candy in his Easter basket is his favorite and is quickly gobbled up...until he comes to the marshmallow chick. Owen plays with the chick all day and puts it on the shelf with his best toys that night. How Owen's stomach can handle all that candy is not addressed.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had used the keywords either easter picture or board books on our libraries online catalog to read with my almost three year old.
I like to read books for every holiday with her.
I want it to be our thing.
It was very cute for easter but those marshmallow peeps are my least favorite candy personally!
This book however will stay on our easter reading list for next year and the years to follow.

[Josiah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is great fun. I love the way that Owen so eupeptically dives right into the enjoyment of his Easter candy, verbally labeling each kind of candy "my favorite!", just as he seems to do in everything in his life. So, this book is fun to read, and a good pep talk for life. :-)
I would give one and a half stars to Owen's Marshmallow Chick.

[Christie Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short book, with a lot of repetitive language which is great for beginning readers. Owen doesn't eat all of his Easter basket candy. He saves the yellow chick because it's the same color as his favorite blanket. This story obviously predates Owen, the story of when he gives up his whole blanket fot a partial to take to school. Cute illustrations, and a sweet little story.