Busy Chickens

Hens, roosters, and chicks take center stage in the latest addition to the Busy Book series. Through gorgeous color photographs children will recognize chickens—both familiar and spectacularly fancy—busy performing actions like squawking, perching, leaping, and more.Reviews“Those who don't love chickens need not apply. This full color photographic board book is all about barnyard birds in action: "cheeping," and "leaping"; "caring" for their eggs; as well as chickens with elaborate mohawks and an interest in taking naps. For those who wish to move beyond the coop, a series of other "Busy" beasts are available.” —Publishers Weekly

Hens, roosters, and chicks take center stage in the latest addition to the Busy Book series. Through gorgeous color photographs children will recognize chickens—both familiar and spectacularly fancy—busy performing actions like squawking, perching, leaping, and more.Reviews“Those who don't love chickens need not apply. This full color photographic board book is all about barnyard birds in action: "cheeping," and "leaping"; "caring" for their eggs; as well as chickens with elaborate mohawks and an interest in taking naps. For those who wish to move beyond the coop, a series of other "Busy" beasts are available.” —Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

"Busy, busy chickens. What are they doing?" They're walking and squawking, peeking and sneaking, flapping and napping-among other participle pairs, eight in all. Holt's engaging photographs illustrate chickens in each mode, from " aww'-inspiring fuzzy chicks to wildly top-knotted grown-ups. As fowl go, this is a remarkably expressive group, aided and abetted by clever compositions and wily use of exposure times-that zooming chicken really looks like she's pouring it on. Visually busy, these photographs are for older babies. The crisp rhymes introduce a deceptively rich vocabulary that is subtly assisted by appropriately playful typography in a clearly legible sans-serif typeface printed in contrasting colors. A barnyard winner. (1-2)

The Busy Book series enables author JOHN SCHINDEL to combine his love of animal photography with writing for children. He lives his busy, busy life with his two daughters in Oakland, California.


To capture the birds at their busiest, STEVEN HOLT raised some busy chickens of his own. He lives with his wife in Coos Bay, Oregon.