{"id":28095,"date":"2015-08-28T14:49:55","date_gmt":"2015-08-28T18:49:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=28095"},"modified":"2015-08-28T14:49:55","modified_gmt":"2015-08-28T18:49:55","slug":"review-of-the-sky-is-falling-by-mark-teague","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=28095","title":{"rendered":"Review of The Sky Is Falling! by Mark Teague"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"sky_is_falling_large\"<\/a>The Sky Is Falling!<\/em><\/p>\n

by Mark Teague<\/p>\n

Orchard Books (Scholastic), New York, 2015. 32 pages.
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

This book cracked me up. It\u2019s very much in the same style as The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf<\/a><\/em>, by the same author.<\/p>\n

The book contains a twisted retelling of Chicken Little\u2019s story. Or perhaps I should say a more logical telling of Chicken Little\u2019s story. Kids who are familiar with the traditional tale will appreciate the changes in this one.<\/p>\n

And look! The third time through the story, I noticed for the first time a detail on the first page that adds impact to how the story turns out. This is a book that rewards close attention.<\/p>\n

The story starts the common way: <\/p>\n

One day an acorn hit Chicken Little on the head.<\/p>\n

She popped up, screeching,
\n\u201cThe sky is falling! The sky is falling!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The difference is apparent right away:<\/p>\n

\u201dI don\u2019t think so,\u201d said Squirrel.
\nSquirrel knew a thing or two about acorns.
\n\u201cSee, it fell from a tree.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But Chicken Little doesn\u2019t pay attention to squirrel.<\/p>\n

Soon, all the chickens were in a tizzy.
\nChickens are like that.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sky is falling! The sky is falling!\u201d
\nthey cried.<\/p>\n

They danced around the yard,
\nflapping their wings.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But in this version, the birds don\u2019t go to tell the king \u2013 they start a dance that infects all the animals in the barnyard!<\/p>\n

Fox is up to his same tricks, however. If the sky is falling, he thinks everyone should hide in his den.<\/p>\n

I love the chicken logic on this page:<\/p>\n

\u201dBut why aren\u2019t you dancing?\u201d asked Chicken Little.<\/p>\n

Fox began to feel annoyed. \u201cBecause it makes no sense!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone dances when the sky is falling,\u201d
\nChicken Little explained. \u201cLook!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I will simply say about this tale that the fox does get an appropriate comeuppance.<\/p>\n

The pictures of the animals dancing their hearts out definitely make it worth your while to pick this book up.<\/p>\n

A very silly story which is ever so much fun.<\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Picture_Books\/sky_is_falling.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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