The Hen That Crowed - Hardcover

Cole ( When the Tide Is Low ; The Dragon in the Cliff ) sets her slight but cheerful tale in the picturesque town of Bean Blossom, where roosters are outlawed because the residents do not want to be awakened at dawn. Imagine Mr. Goodhart's surprise when Charlene, one of his hen chicks, has absolutely no luck laying eggs--and looks a lot like a rooster. Yet despite his resolve to obey the law and get rid of his raucus rooster, Mr. Goodhart cannot bring himself to make soup out of Charlene. He is equally unsuccessful at keeping his rooster from welcoming the day, but Charlene's persistence ("he was determined to do what roosters do") turns out to save the day. When the fowl mistakes a fire for dawn's early light, his crowing awakens the townfolk and the blaze is extinguished. Rogoff's buoyant illustrations, bordered in vivid blues, reds and oranges, feature colors as bold as Charlene's spirit, and signify an auspicious children's book debut for this artist. Especially amusing is the range of expressions on the various creatures' faces, and a gaggle of pink porkers who in cameo appearances hilariously exemplify ham on the hoof. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.