Big Chickens by Leslie Helakoski, illustrated by Henry Cole is a rollicking story of four big chickens who see a wolf by their henhouse.  When the door of their house slams shut with them outside, they run into the forest to hide.  This starts the story of their worries as they walk along.  First they are afraid to go home, then afraid to jump, then afraid of cows, and on and on.  Each fear is announced and then follows the same pattern and rhythm, making this a perfect read aloud.  The illustrations are bright, vibrant and filled with their own humor.  The expressions on the chickens’ faces are priceless at times.  By the end of the book, the four big chickens have changed their tune and are heading home worry free and chests puffed out proudly.

This is a great read aloud.  Add it to you storytimes and share it.  Just make sure that you give each chicken its own distinct voice, because it makes the pattern so much stronger and the rhythm clearer.  Kids will love the humor that infuses the story the whole way through.