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The Chicken Squad

The First Misadventure

Illustrated by Kevin Cornell
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About The Book

Now an animated series on Disney Junior!

They’re darling. They’re daring. They know their shapes! They’re chicks on a mission—and on this, their first (mis)adventure, the Chicken Squad launches a galactic backyard expedition.

Meet the Chicken Squad: Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie. These chicks are not your typical barnyard puffs of fluff, and they are not about to spend their days pecking chicken feed and chasing bugs. No sir, they’re too busy solving mysteries and fighting crime.

So when Squirrel comes barreling into the chicken coop, the chicks know they’re about to get a case. But with his poor knowledge of shapes (“Big” is not a shape, Squirrel!) and utter fear of whatever it is that’s out there, the panicky Squirrel is NO HELP. Good thing these chicks are professionals.

But even professionals get worried. Especially once they see that round, shiny, green, BIG thing in the yard. What if it’s a UFO full of aliens who want chickens as pets? It’s up to the Chicken Squad to crack a case that just might be out of this world.

About The Author

Photograph (c) Doreen Cronin

Doreen Cronin is the author of many bestselling and New York Times bestselling picture books, including Click, Clack, Quack to School!; Click, Clack, Surprise!; Click, Clack, Ho, Ho, Ho; Click, Clack, Peep; Click, Clack, Boo!; Dooby Dooby Moo; Thump, Quack, Moo: A Whacky Adventure; Bounce; Wiggle; Duck for President; Giggle, Giggle, Quack; Bloom; and the Caldecott Honor Book Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type as well as The Chicken Squad series and Cyclone. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. Visit her at DoreenCronin.com.

About The Illustrator

Kevin Cornell’s secret spy headquarters are located in Philadelphia. He has successfully accomplished several thrilling missions, including illustrating Mustache! and Count The Monkeys by Mac Barnett, the Chicken Squad series by Doreen Cronin, and the Lulu series by Judith Viorst. Leave a coded message for him at KevSkinRug.com.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (April 8, 2014)
  • Length: 112 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781442496767
  • Ages: 7 - 10

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Raves and Reviews

"Cornell’s illustrations give life to the chicks and their individual personalities. Each one pursues his or her own agenda, though they are often united in a common cause. Like four small, fuzzy, yellow Don Quixotes, they see giants in windmills or, in this case, aliens in backyard grills."

– New York Times

Awards and Honors

  • ALA Notable Children's Books
  • Kansas NEA Reading Circle List PrimaryTitle
  • Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Master List
  • Texas Bluebonnet Master List
  • Flicker Tale Award (ND)
  • Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Selection Title
  • Cybils Award Finalist
  • Wisconsin State Reading Association's Reading List
  • Sunshine State Young Readers' Award Jr. Nominee (FL)

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More books from this author: Doreen Cronin

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