This Little Chick proves that a book can be just right for a young audience, but can also be beautiful. John Lawrence has taken a traditional rhyme and adapted it for this large format picture book. Mr. Lawrence, who is a skilled wood engraver, has chosen to use vinyl engravings, watercolor washes, and printed wood textures to make the large, bold engravings that illustrate the story.
This simple tale begins on the front endpapers as Little Chick ventures away from Mother Hen and the other chicks to visit the neighborhood animals.
“This little chick from over the way
Went to play with the pigs one day.
And what do you think they heard him say?”
Before turning the page, ask the children to predict what will happen next. The most frequent response will probably be “oink”, but encourage the child who thinks of another possibility. What about “snort” or “snuffle”? The story comes full circle as Little Chick returns home to share his animal language skills.
The large illustrations make this an excellent choice for a group. It will also reward the attention a lapsit will allow. Toddlers can improve their pre-reading skills by learning animal sounds and retelling or adding to the story. Have children suggest other animals that Little Chick might visit. Preschoolers might create artwork by cutting pictures from magazines to illustrate the new animals.
Check the WRL catalog for This Little Chick.
