Chick Chat

Chick Chat

Friendship comes in all shapes and sizes. Peep, peep, peep! Baby Chick has a lot to say! Everyone in Chick’s family is too busy to chat. When chatty baby Chick adopts a large egg, Chick finally finds someone who is willing to listen. But when the egg goes missing, Chick is heartbroken—that is, until Chick finds that the egg has hatched into a brand-new friend! PreS-K—Baby Chick has a lot to say, and their family is overwhelmed by the chattering! Luckily, there is someone new to talk to—a large egg buried under dirt. What will happen when the egg hatches? The egg turns out to be a turtle, who is only too happy to listen to Baby Chick peep. Bynum includes some subtle joking for slightly older readers: Baby Chick's sister reads a pile of books including A Coop of One's Own and Find Your Inner Chicken, and later suggests that Baby Chick "hit the hay." Dynamic digital illustrations in pastel tones detail Baby Chick's search for someone to listen and celebrate a joyful quest. Readers will delight in the full-page spreads with simple detailed backgrounds, and will enjoy following the antics of a stuffed elephant toy from page to page. The plot isn't as strong as the illustrations, and some adult readers might take issue with a few elements: Baby Chick's family doesn't have time for the youngest member, which is really sad, and it's a little nerve-wracking for the egg to be dug up from where it was safely buried. At times, the book comes close to making statement on talking too much or taking things that do not belong to you but never quite spells it out VERDICT The illustrations turn an adequate text into something truly charming.—Kelsey Socha, Westfield Athenaeum, Westfield, MA "Baby Chick is surrounded by clouds of printed Peep! s throughout the story; these are full of movement indicating unabashed joy. Saturated, summery colors and black-outlined figures lend vibrancy to the story. The text is further enhanced by well-placed, but not overdone, chicken-related puns: Sister is reading A Coop of One’s Own , and when she takes Baby Chick to bed, she suggests “Let’s hit the hay, Baby Chick. A sweet story told with gentle humor." ― Kirkus Reviews Dynamic digital illustrations in pastel tones detail Baby Chick’s search for someone to listen and celebrate a joyful quest. Readers will delight in the full-page spreads with simple detailed backgrounds, and will enjoy following the antics of a stuffed elephant toy from page to page. ― School Library Journal "Cheerful watercolor illustrations are filled with the round chick’s ceaseless peeping and obvious joie de vivre. By tale’s end, Baby Chick's family appears to be quite pleased that the exuberant bird has someone who loves listening to her chitchat." ― Booklist "This colorful illustrated story is enhanced by baby Chick’s constant peeping—over 100 of them." -- Charles Sutton ― Vermont Country Sampler "It is not just the expressive Chick but the placement of the Peeps that charms this story." ― Youth Services Book Review Janie Bynum grew up in Texas and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design. As an author and illustrator, she has created many lovable characters and stories for younger children. Several of her books have been recognized as Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections. From cute-and-cozy to fun-and-funky, Janie puts heart and humor into everything she creates. Many mornings you’ll find her doodling fresh ideas at her local café, fueled by espresso and possibly the flakiest croissants in southern France.