The Chickens Are Coming, written and illustrated by Barbara Samuels. Farrar Straus Giroux, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2019. $23.50 ages 4 and up

"The next day Winston and
Sophie went out with their
baskets to collect the eggs.

There were no eggs, but
there was plenty of chicken
poop!

Three days later -
still not a SINGLE egg. All
the chickens did was roll in
the dirt."

I love the farm eggs we get twice each month, and I have learned from our farmers the joy that comes from raising chickens on pasture. Their eggs do not taste like any I buy in a grocery store. Raising chickens as egg producers is now becoming more popular in small urban backyards.

Winston and Sophie's community has a number of families raising chickens. When their mom sees a sign offering chickens for sale due to a move, she is interested. Soon the family is involved in creating a backyard environment for the chickens advertised. They have good reason for wanting to raise those birds. The children are excited for their arrival.

Five chickens in total! They run in fear from Winston's boisterous welcome. Days pass, and there are no eggs. Lots of chicken poop, not one egg! The chickens love to roll in the dirt, offering a new form of entertainment for a little boy. No matter what the children do, the chickens show absolutely no interest in egg laying. Music doesn't help, nor do stories. As the children do their best to make the chickens feel at home, they begin to learn about each unique personality.

"Desiree was the best flier.
Delilah was the most curious.
Divina was bossy. Dawn was shy.
And Daphne bumped into things."

The children spend much of their time with these new charges. When they finally begin finding eggs in every corner of the yard, they are upset to discover that, while there are eggs, there are no chickens! Kids will be overjoyed to learn where they are finally found, and what they are doing.

The colors are bright, the chickens captivating, and the work to keep them content is full of action and accommodations. The chicken's individuality is evident from the moment they arrive, and that adds an extra element of fun and frustration.

An author's note provides additional information, and is followed by Sophie's Chicken Chart which identifies each breed, their weight, country of origin, and the color and size of the eggs produced.