Preschool Book Review – Big Chickens

Picture this: three fearless farm animals, trembling with terror at the sight of a tiny fox. *Big Chickens* by Valerie Shaff is a brilliantly funny picture book that turns everything your preschooler thinks they know about courage upside down—and in doing so, opens the door to deeper conversations about what bravery really means. This laugh-out-loud story works beautifully for the 3–6 age range because it uses humor (a preschooler's favorite teaching tool) to explore genuine emotions like fear, friendship, and self-discovery. When you read this book together, you're not just enjoying silly illustrations and ridiculous chicken voices; you're helping your child see that courage doesn't look like what they might expect, and that's a powerful, comforting lesson.

What You'll Need

• **A copy of *Big Chickens* by Valerie Shaff** — Check your local library first (it's wildly popular, so you might find it immediately or have a short wait). Alternatively, purchase from any bookstore or online retailer; it's an affordable hardcover that holds up beautifully to repeated readings.

• A comfortable reading spot — A couch, armchair, bed, or cushioned corner where you and your child can sit close together and see the illustrations clearly. Good lighting matters, so position yourself near a window or lamp.

• A blanket or stuffed animal (optional) — Some children like to snuggle with a comfort object while listening to stories, especially if there are mildly scary moments (like the fox!). This gives them a sense of security and makes the experience feel more cozy.

• Paper and crayons or markers — Have these on hand for post-story activities, but don't feel pressured to use them every time. They're great for letting your child draw their favorite character or act out the story if they want to extend playtime.

• A notebook or sticky notes (optional) — If your child is 4 or older, jot down funny lines or moments they react to strongly. This helps you remember what resonated and gives you conversation starters for later reads.

How to Do It

1. Start with the cover and build anticipation. Before you open the book, sit with your child and ask what they notice about the cover illustration. Point out the three chickens and the small fox. Say something like, "Look at these chickens—they look kind of nervous, don't they? I wonder what they're worried about?" This primes their brain to think about the story theme and gets them curious about what's coming.

2. Read with expression and distinct character voices. Use different voices for each chicken—make Henny, Penny, and Little Cocky sound worried, high-pitched, and a bit silly. Give the fox a small, squeaky voice that sounds less threatening than the chickens expect. Your enthusiasm and vocal variety transform the reading from words on a page into a mini-performance that keeps preschoolers riveted. Don't worry about being a professional actor; your genuine silliness is exactly what works.

3. Pause after the funny moments and laugh together. When the chickens do something ridiculous or the fox does something unexpected, stop reading and share a genuine laugh with your child. You might say, "Did you hear what just happened? That was so silly!" These pauses let your child process the humor and feel like you're experiencing the story together, which strengthens bonding and comprehension.

4. Ask questions during the story to keep them thinking. Don't wait until the end to engage their mind. Pause and ask, "Why do you think the chickens are running away?" or "What do you think the fox is feeling?" These moments help your child predict, problem-solve, and stay actively involved rather than passively listening.

5. Discuss the ending and what the chickens learned. After you finish, talk about how the chickens overcame their fear and what changed by the end of the story. Ask, "Do you think the chickens were really as scary as they thought at first?" and "How did being friends help them be brave?" This helps your child extract the deeper message—that courage often comes from teamwork and that our fears can be bigger than the actual threat.

6. Connect the story to your child's own experiences. Share a genuine moment from your life when you felt scared or nervous about something that turned out to be okay. Then invite your child to share a time they felt brave or scared. Say, "Remember when you were nervous about the big slide, but then you tried it? That's kind of like what the chickens did." These personal connections help children internalize the lesson and see themselves as brave too.

7. Offer a creative follow-up if your child is interested. Ask if they'd like to draw their favorite character, act out the chicken waddle, or make up what happens after the story ends. Keep it low-pressure—some reads will spark immediate creative play, and others will just end with a satisfied smile. Both responses are perfect.

8. Plan to read it again soon. Preschoolers are meaning-making machines, and each re-read reveals something new. On the second or third read-through, your child will probably laugh at different moments and catch details they missed before. This repetition is brain-building, not boring.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

Emotional Understanding — By watching how the chickens experience fear and then courage, your child learns to identify and name complex feelings in themselves and others. This emotional literacy is foundational for empathy, friendship skills, and self-regulation throughout childhood and beyond.

Humor and Playfulness — Silly, character-driven stories like this one build your child's capacity to find joy in absurdity and appreciate wordplay. A sense of humor is a tremendous resilience tool and a sign of cognitive flexibility—the ability to see situations from different angles.

Problem-Solving and Collaboration — Your child observes the chickens working together to face their shared problem, modeling the idea that friends can help us feel braver and stronger. This plants early seeds for collaborative thinking and the understanding that we don't have to handle challenges alone.

Confidence and Courage — Hearing about characters who are scared but try anyway gives children permission to be nervous while still taking action. This is far more realistic and useful than the idea of "being fearless," and it builds genuine self-trust.

Listening Skills and Narrative Comprehension — Following a plot-driven story with multiple characters and a clear arc strengthens attention span, memory, and the ability to sequence events. These skills are essential prerequisites for reading success in elementary school.

Imagination and Perspective-Taking — The book's silly premise (chickens afraid of a fox) invites children to imagine different viewpoints and understand that not everything is as it first appears. This kind of imaginative thinking fuels creativity and critical thinking.

Tips & Variations

• Read it multiple times, and expect different reactions each time. Preschoolers love repetition, and your child will giggle even harder the second or third time around. They'll also catch new details and make different connections on each read. This is exactly how their brains learn best.

• Act it out together. After reading, encourage your child to waddle like the chickens, practice looking scared and then brave, or create their own chicken voices. Movement helps cement the message in their body and brain, and it's hilarious for everyone involved.

• Create a "brave moment" chat. Over the next few days, casually mention times you noticed your child being brave—trying something new, asking for help, trying again after falling. Connect these moments back to the chickens. This positive reinforcement is powerful.

• For younger toddlers (ages 2–3): Keep the read shorter by summarizing some pages and focusing more on the colorful, expressive illustrations. You might read just the first half and return to the second half another day. Use lots of silly sounds and exaggerated expressions to hold their attention. Don't worry about covering the whole plot—enjoyment and connection are the goals.

• For older preschoolers (ages 5–6): Dig deeper into character motivation and predictions. Ask, "Why do you think the fox wasn't really mean?" and "What do you think will happen if more foxes come to the farm?" Encourage them to retell the story in their own words or draw a comic strip of the events in order.

My Two Cents

*Big Chickens* is the kind of book that genuinely gets better with each read-aloud, which means you're not going to get sick of it (okay, maybe a little, but you'll also find yourself laughing). The humor works on multiple levels—your four-year-old will giggle at the silly chickens, while you'll appreciate the clever writing and the sneaky way it teaches real lessons about courage. Most