Publishers Weekly
04/08/2024
Rees (Buttercup the Bigfoot) and Bernstein (Ear Worm!) cast readers way, way back to the days of “Edna the very first chicken... hatching her very first eggs.” She’s just successfully welcomed seven fluffy yellow daughters when neighbors Ankylosaurus, Parasaurolophus, and Triceratops point out an eighth egg. Edna knows the spotted egg isn’t hers, but with diligence and devotion, she and her growing daughters hatch Sinclair. While feathered like them, Sinclair is “a very odd bird.” Hopeless at chicken behavior—he “didn’t have a beak, so his nose was always sore” after pecking for worms—he is nonetheless unconditionally loved by his family. And when Gorgosaurus snatches two of Sinclair’s sisters to snack on, Sinclair uses his powers of speed to save them, and is declared “the best chicken ever” in a family group hug. Though it takes the title and an end note to clarify Sinclair’s species among other listed dinosaurs, this kinder, funnier “Ugly Duckling” story is a visual treat: digital artwork depicts the instantly winning, warmhearted cast with elegant hand-painted watercolor textures, while playful typography amplifies the brisk-moving action. Readers should give it a cheer—or, as Sinclair would say, a “RAUUUGH!” Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Emily Keyes, while at Fuse Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Anne Moore-Armstrong, Bright Agency. (July)
From the Publisher
"This kinder, funnier “Ugly Duckling” story is a visual treat...Readers should give it a cheer—or, as Sinclair would say, a 'RAUUUGH!'” – Publishers Weekly
"Silly, with a dash of science." –Kirkus
"The expressive illustrations amplify every mood and emotion within the story. With its cartoon drama and amusing characters, this picture book is fun for reading aloud." –Booklist
Kirkus Reviews
2024-04-20
In this prehistoric tale, a misfit hatchling from an abandoned egg ends up saving his family.
“Edna the very first chicken was hatching her very first eggs.” Her seven eggs hatch, and Ankylosaurus, Parasaurolophus, and Triceratops gather to admire her chicks. The dinosaurs point out another, speckled egg. It isn’t Edna’s, but she decides to take care of it anyway. After all, “one more baby won’t make any difference.” Famous last words. Unlike Edna’s other babies, Sinclair is a feathered dinosaur with “long, sharp teeth and claws instead of wings.” The story humorously riffs on the fact that birds and dinosaurs are related in evolutionary terms, while the art makes it abundantly clear that Sinclair is no chicken. Still, though he has trouble pecking, fluttering, and clucking like the others, his family lovingly accepts him. Bernstein’s illustrations have a loose, comical style that will mitigate readers’ fears when a big, mean, fast, hungry Gorgosaurus makes off with two of Sinclair’s sisters. All the chickens pursue the beast, but speedy velociraptor Sinclair catches up and rescues his sisters, who declare him the “BEST. CHICKEN. EVER.” An author’s note explains the science behind the story: Many birds do imprint on the first living thing they see, while paleontologist Robert Bakker has found evidence that velociraptors really did spend time in trees.
Silly, with a dash of science. (Picture book. 3-6)
