Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

Wahoo, folks–I finished ANOTHER book that’s been languishing on my “Currently Reading” list! As for why it’s been languishing, well, let’s just say that it wasn’t available on audio, and concentration is hard for me, even though it didn’t used to be. (Parenthood.) Which isn’t to say that I wished for it on audio, exactly, because the illustrations are so ridiculously delightful…kind of like the story, honestly. I loved Kelly Jones’ Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer, and its sequel–Are You Ready to Hatch an Unusual Chicken?–is just as delightful. Earnest, hardworking Sophie is back, taking watchful care of the chickens she inherited from her Great-Uncle Jim, only now that she’s inherited Redwood Farm from Agnes, she’s also starting to hatch unusual chicks. It’s a lot of work–and there are some very unusual chicks. Can Sophie balance doing her best with asking for help when she needs it?

I could probably give you more, but that’s a perfectly respectable plot summary to be going on with. Katie Kath’s illustrations both crack me up (I love Henrietta’s expression!) and make me teary, and I would love my children to be able to be friends with Sophie and her peeps. (You see what I did there…) If you or your kiddos have an interest in farming or 4-H–or even just animals–or, heck, stories about kids moving and finding friends and being friends–this two book series is most definitely for you.