The Case of the Weird Blue Chicken

March 1, 2015
Gr 2-4-Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie, otherwise known as the Chicken Squad, are back in another comical backyard adventure. When a little blue bird enters the chicken coop, Sugar and Dirt decide to help the "weird blue chicken" recover her stolen birdhouse. After some rather clumsy investigating, the chicks realize that the house-napper is none other than their brother Poppy. They also discover that in addition to the missing birdhouse, Grumpy Squirrel's acorns have disappeared. With the help of the little bird, the Chicken Squad set out to end the crime spree that has swept the backyard. Cronin creates a humorous story of bumbling detectives who in the end, manage to save the day. Young listeners will enjoy piecing together the clues along with the heroes. Adam Grupper voices J.J. Tully, the retired search-and-rescue dog who keeps an eye on the Chicken Squad, and Michele O. Medlin voices the remaining animals. Both narrators succeed in portraying likable characters who will appeal to beginner readers. VERDICT Fans of Geronimo Stilton and Kung Pow Chicken are sure to delight in the antics of the Chicken Squad.-"Amanda Spino, Ocean County Library, NJ"

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2014
Retired search-and-rescue dog J. J. Tully reintroduces the "four featherballs" from The Chicken Squad (rev. 5/14) -- Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie -- then moves offstage to let their silly, bumbling adventure unfold. The little chicks post a flyer advertising their services -- finding lost things, fixing broken things, getting clients out of trouble, or bringing trouble to them. A number of mysteries collide: a blue jay has lost her birdhouse; Grumpy Squirrel has lost all of his acorns; and one of the chicks, Poppy, seems to be at large as well. Full-page black-and-white illustrations and spot art use a range of exaggerated perspectives to escalate the characters' personalities and bring a bit of intrigue to every page turn. The chicks resolve things without the help of J. J. Tully this time, who shows up again in the epilogue to sum up the whole escapade as simply as possible: "Never trust a weird blue chicken. Plus eat some fruit." Full of comic turns and silly details, this early-chapter-book mystery allows new readers the satisfying privilege of being savvier than any of its featherbrained characters. julie roach

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)