Three Hens and a Peacock

Three hens become jealous of a peacock who is new to the farm because he doesn't have to work as hard and it's just not fair. However, when they switch places, they quickly learn that they just can't do what the peacock can - attract visitors to the farm, and the peacock can't do what they can - lay eggs! They all get a lesson on possessing unique qualities and gifts. This is a great book for children to understand that diversity in all areas should be cherished, and that their talents may be different but all are equally important. ( )

This book is about how you shouldn't judge another person's job based on appearances. The peacock couldn't do the chicken's job, and the hens couldn't do the peacocks job. This story would be good to use for many age groups. I think older children in middle school, would be able to understand the moral and the lesson better than a younger student, but the moral is valuable. We judge too often in our culture, so a book that suggests that these judgements are wrong, is valuable and necessary in education. ( )

A peacock shows up at Tucker's farm by accident. As the family is selling their goods on the side of the road the peacock comes out, attracting lots of customers. However, the hens get really jealous that he doesn't do any work but gets all this attention. So one day they trade places...the peacock tries to lay the eggs and the hens dress up and try to attract customers. But what a disaster! There end up being no customers and the hens realize what a tough job the peacock has. By the end of the story everyone appreciates their own place on the farm.

I have to say I'm a bit biased. I love Lester Laminack and he's a great advocate for teaching children to read, and one for teachers. I thought the book would be great for children who are learning to work together. I love how it's told through animals so that children have to look past that to get the meaning from the book. A great book for 3rd-5th graders for the moral content and younger grades for the enjoyment of the characters, illustrations and humor. ( )

Nothing unusual ever happened on the Tuckers farm. Until the day that peacock showed up... When a glamorous visitor lands unexpectedly in their midst and begins attracting customers, three hardworking hens protest: How come we do all the hard work and he gets all the attention? To keep the peace, the wise old hound dog suggests a swap. The hen ...

A peacock suddenly shows up on a sleepy farm. Not knowing how farm animals are supposed to behave, he does what he does best; shows off his feathers and shrieks. He quickly becomes the big attraction for the farmstand and the farm is busier and happier than ever. Until the chickens decide they're doing all the work and the peacock isn't helping at all!

So they switch places for the day, with the dolled-up hens as roadside attractions and the peacock trying his best to lay eggs. But male peacocks, of course, can't lay eggs and ordinary hens, even in jewelry, aren't very impressive - or big enough to catch the attention of passing cars. Both sides realize their jobs are important and require more effort than they had expected. Reconciled to their own jobs, the peacock and the hens switch back and all is peaceful once more. Until...

The text is a little lengthy, but moves smoothly through the story, emphasizing the sounds of the farm and the clash of personalities between the different fowl. The real draw for this picture book is Henry Cole's illustrations from the sleepy dog to the pop-eyed chickens, with the rather feather-headed peacock providing giggles all the way with his transparent face showing every emotion, from worried to proud to determined to crestfallen.

This story is a funny retelling of the Norwegian folktale, sometimes called "The day the husband minded the house" where a husband scornful of his wife's labors switches places with her and discovers just how hard her job is. Henry Cole's illustrations are always fun and kids of all ages will enjoy this story.

Verdict: Not a required purchase, but an excellent book for storytimes and a good addition to any picture book collection.

ISBN: 9781561455645; Published March 2011; Review copy provided by publisher at ALA Midwinter