Chicken Dance

Children and adults alike will love the humor in this book! There are some great choice words in this book, and the illustrations are brilliant. A perfect read for talking about individual talents and writing with appropriate voicing.

I remember the "chicken dance" from my youth. Performed at weddings by Grandma, it was a surefire family embarrassment. Thank goodness author Tammi Sauer has emerged with a humorous tale of barnyard birds that can replace that old chicken dance and create a whole new sensation. According to henhouse pals Marge and Lola, Elvis Poultry is a hunk of bawking love. When the barnyard talent show is announced, the pair discover the grand prize is two tickets to Elvis' Final Doodle Doo concert tour. They must win! Unfortunately, ducks are top dog at this farm, so the two hens have a lot to overcome. Marge and Lola test out their talents but the ducks quack at every failed attempt. When Marge and Lola finally hit the stage--following solid goat, pig and cow acts--they stammer and gulp. A duck heckles, "What's the matter? Are you chicken?" so they begin to flap and shake. Just regular chicken stuff, nothin' fancy. But the crowd loves it and crows for more. The next spread features Marge and Lola performing dance moves that would make Grandma shake in her boots. They vogue, point like John Travolta, domo arigato misuta robotto, and walk like an Egyptian. Illustrator Dan Santat makes chickens boogie better than "So You Think You Can Dance" finalists. I can't reveal the contest results, as that would spoil all the feathery fun. But I will tell you that Elvis is in the building. Err, I mean barn. Yes, just one look at the blinged-out, white-caped Elvis Poultry on the front cover, and you know this ain't Grandma's paltry poultry impersonation. It's guaranteed fun for the entire family, without embarrassment (unless you want to try out the dance moves on the inside covers).

"Chicken Dance" is a fun book with great illustrations by Dan Santat. His artwork is bright and cheerful, and it made my kids (currently 7 and 9; boy and girl) and I laugh at loud. The story is about two plucky chickens, Marge and Lola. The gals seriously want to win the tickets to see their heartthrob, Elvis Poultry, the Elvis of the chicken world. The problem is that they have to enter the Barnyard Talent Show to win, and they don't know what they excel at and thus don't really know what their talent is. And to make matters worse, they face tough competition from the snooty, rude ducks who win the contest every time. The girls try quite a few activities, including bowling!, and therein lies the humor. Do they win? I'll never say. Talking Points::: Overall, this is an entertaining book that's above average in quality. As I said the artwork is a lot of fun and Tammi Sauer's words are a good read aloud. It would deserve more Stars except that I think the message(s) of the story, one of which is that we don't always recognize what our strengths are, is lost in the sort of muddy ending. But definitely do check this one out. It's bound to be a kid pleaser, and we can always emphasize what they ought to get out of it, theme-wise. AR -- generic 2 **3.5 Stars** Pam T~ mom and reviewer at BooksForKids-reviews

This is such a great book...Elvis Poultry is so talented. The story and the way it is told is so entertaining - the kids will want to read it again, and again and again...you get the picture. The artwork is fab and the way Tammi tells a story is amazing. I highly recommend this book and encourage everyone to run, no fly right out and pick up a copy, before they all fly the coup. Be sure to get all of her books that are coming out later this year, as well as, COWBOY CAMP....She is an up and coming star in Children's Picture Books. ;>)

CHICKEN DANCE, written by Tammi Sauer and illustrated by Dan Santat, is one of the funniest books that I've read in a very long time. I don't know who enjoyed it more -- my five year old son or me! CHICKEN DANCE is such a terrific book because it appeals to kids of all ages. The little ones will find the characters and the plot to be very funny, but grown-ups will appreciate all the spoofs and creative storytelling. I absolutely howled when I read this book right along with all of the barnyard animals. The concept behind this book -- that the farm animals are competing to win tickets to the Elvis Poultry show -- is just too funny! I loved the competition and what each set of animals did for their "talent." I also enjoyed seeing the competitive spirit between the chickens and the ducks -- my son thought the mean ducks were hilarious! I don't want to spoil the ending, but suffice it to say that it was very cute. As most parents know, when a child enjoys a book, he/she asks for you to read it to them a lot-- something to do with that whole learning by repetition thing, I suppose. What I love about CHICKEN DANCE is that I don't mind reading it again and again. It's almost always my job to read to my son every night before bedtime, but I told my husband that he needs to read this book to the boy -- it's just so darn funny! I can pretty much guarantee that there is at least one laugh per page. The illustrations in the book are marvelous! Even without the text of the book, these pictures make me laugh. I even liked the little detail with the dance steps that are diagrammed on the inside covers. My son first noticed all the little things in the pictures, and I actually had to slow down reading the book because he kept wanting to take a closer look.