Little Rooster's Diamond Button

As the author's note reminds us, this effectively could have been called "Little Rooster's Magic Stomach." The French have [b:Drakestail|15478556|Drakestail|Jan Wahl|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|21134940], the Spanish have [b:Medio Pollito|8430627|Medio Pollito|Eric A. Kimmel|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355030624s/8430627.jpg|13293981], [a:Kate Seredy|80667|Kate Seredy|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1453402760p2/80667.jpg] told a Hungarian version in [b:The Good Master|258038|The Good Master |Kate Seredy|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386921616s/258038.jpg|250092], etc. Awesome when a domestic fowl can get the better of a greedy king, eh.

The only thing about this version that show more bothers me is that "they" who threw Little Rooster in the fire, etc, are never given a noun. I *think* they're advisors. I couldn't tell the tale, myself, and go straight to the pronoun. Especially because Terry drew these three with what are, imo, very creepy smiles.

But MacDonald is a master storyteller, and now that I have discovered her I will continue to read everything by her that I can find! And for the most part the vibrant illustrations are engaging and apt. show less

Story of a rooster that takes on an angry, selfish king with his helpful stomach. The notes at the end of book say that this is a well-told story from many countries but I had never heard of it. I love this fun story and the vibrant illustrations.

This is a retelling of a Hungarian folktale. A rooster finds a diamond button and wants to take it back to his mistress. The king saw that he had the diamond and steals it so he could add it to his treasure chamber. The rooster goes to the king and demands it back and the king has him thrown into several dangerous places: a well, a fire, and a beehive. The rooster had a magic stomach and could escape from all the kings attempts to get rid of him. The rooster gets him diamond back and the kings treasure, too.

This a simple story, but amusing. The illustrations are eye-catching , vibrant and engaging. This is a fun story/fable to read aloud for storytime. Children will cheer for the heroic rooster.
Recommended grades: 1-3

A sweet little retelling of a Hungarian folk-tale.

Great book. I loved the imagery and the story. Good triumphs over evil.

The illustration in this book went very well with the story. This story is a great book for learning about being nice. Every child can learn about history of the kings and that if you are selfish, bad things can happen to you.

Little Rooster has found a diamond button and wants to take it to his mistress. Along comes a greedy king who wants it for himself. What he does not know is that this rooster is a special rooster with a very unique stomach. The concept of a bird swallowing objects appears in many stories from other countries--hence why folklore.