Chicken Licken
Usborne English Readers Level 1 Series
What’s inside...
When an acorn drops on Chicken Licken's head, he thinks the sky is falling and rushes to tell the king. Along the way, he meets other animals who join him in his journey, leading to a surprising and humorous conclusion. Chicken Licken is convinced that the sky is falling. One by one, he persuades the other birds around the farm to come with him and tell the King. Then the procession meets Foxy Loxy, who seems extremely keen to help them. Why, he even knows the quickest route... A lively retelling for young English language learners of a well-loved cumulative story, with delightful illustrations full of charming detail.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Chicken Licken felt when the acorn fell on her head?
Why do you think Chicken Licken wanted to tell the king about the sky falling down?
How did the other animals react when Chicken Licken told them the sky was falling?
What can we learn from the way the animals reacted to the news?
If you were there, what advice would you give to Chicken Licken and her friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the characters' reactions by asking them how they would feel in a similar situation.
Use the story's plot as a springboard to discuss the importance of critical thinking and verifying information before acting.
Highlight the influence of peers and leaders by discussing the animals' decision to follow Chicken Licken without questioning.
Ask your child to draw parallels between the story and any personal experiences with misinformation or jumping to conclusions.
Reinforce the lesson by concluding with a recap of why it's important to seek out the truth and not spread unverified news.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and skepticism
Explanation: In the story, Chicken Licken jumps to conclusions without verifying the facts, leading to widespread panic. This demonstrates the consequences of not thinking critically or questioning the validity of information.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of assessing situations and seeking truth before reacting. Encourages them to ask questions and gather more information in day-to-day situations.
Example Lesson: Impact of misinformation
Explanation: As Chicken Licken convinces more of his friends about the false belief that the sky is falling, it shows how misinformation can spread quickly and influence many.
Real-World Application: Children learn about the responsibility of sharing information and the importance of ensuring its accuracy before telling others. This is applicable in preventing rumors and misunderstandings in school or with friends.
Example Lesson: Importance of responsibility
Explanation: The characters’ hasty decisions to spread unconfirmed news without understanding the situation highlights the need for being responsible in communication.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think about how their words and actions can affect others, and teaches them to be careful and responsible when conveying messages.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: After realizing their mistake, Chicken Licken and his friends could learn a valuable lesson about jumping to conclusions.
Real-World Application: This story can help children understand that it is okay to make mistakes as long as they learn from them and strive to make better choices in the future.