Chicken Cheeks
What’s inside...
Some bears will go to any length to get some honey. This one recruits every animal that comes along to form, well, a stack. The result? Tail of the duck to the gluteus maximus of the duck-billed platypus (with many other rears in between). Readers will giggle with delight at the bird's eye view of some hysterical animal bottoms. Follow this back-sided journey up the tree - where the real surprise awaits. The pairing of Black's minimal text with Hawkes's visual story line will keep you chuckling from the bottom up.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
35 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the animals are stacking on top of each other?
How do you feel when you see the different names for the animals' bottoms?
What do you think the bear was trying to reach at the top of the stack?
Can you think of a funny way to solve a problem, like the animals did?
Which animal in the stack was your favorite, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive tones and voices for each animal to make the reading experience more entertaining.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or animal from the book.
Discuss the illustrations and ask your child to describe what they see, focusing on colors, expressions, and actions.
Create a fun game by guessing other animals that could have been in the stack and what their funny names might be.
Relate the stacking of the animals to everyday tasks that require cooperation, discussing the importance of team work.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Vocabulary Expansion
Explanation: Chicken Cheeks features a variety of animals, each described with a playful synonym for their behinds. This whimsical approach helps children learn new words in a fun context.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by using newly learned synonyms in their everyday conversations, enhancing their linguistic skills and expression.
Example Lesson: Humor Appreciation
Explanation: The book utilizes different terms to describe animal buttocks, adding a humorous twist that captures the attention of young readers.
Real-World Application: Understanding humor helps in social interactions and can make learning more enjoyable. Children can share jokes and funny observations with friends and family, thereby enhancing their social bonds.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The playful and unexpected use of language in Chicken Cheeks inspires creative thinking and imagination in children as they visualize the various amusing scenarios.
Real-World Application: Encouraging creativity helps children in problem-solving and in expressing themselves in unique ways in both academic and social settings.
Example Lesson: Animal Recognition
Explanation: By showcasing a range of different animals in the story, Chicken Cheeks aids young readers in identifying various animal species.
Real-World Application: This knowledge can be applied in educational settings like zoos, nature hikes, or when watching documentaries, increasing a child’s understanding and appreciation of wildlife.