Chicken Cheeks
by Michael Ian Black (Author), Kevin Hawkes (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 3 – 7
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing (January 6, 2009)
Bend over, let me see you shake your chicken cheeks. On second thought, maybe just stay in your chair and keep reading. Chicken Cheeks is Michael Ian Black’s first children’s book. After reading this book I was not surprised to discover that on top of being a writer, Michael is also a comedian and an a actor. Using his comedic talent he has provided us with a delightfully funny collection of names used for one’s bottom.
The premise of the book revolves around a bear who wants to reach the top of a tree where there are some bees making honey – he wants the honey. To reach the top he builds an animal ladder, piling one animal on top of another until they reach the honey. As an animal is added to the ladder a wonderful word is used to describe its behind: chicken cheeks, penguin patootie, gnu wazoo, and so on. I can’t tell you if they reach the top, because the ending of this book is a hilarious clincher I wouldn’t want to spoil.
The illustrations, provided by Kevin Hawkes (illustrator of the New York Times bestseller Library Lion), are so bright and cheery. They perfectly punctuate the text to deliver an enjoyable read for anyone with a sense of humor. Adorably amusing!
Links: A review by Three Silly Chicks.
Michael Ian Black reads from his book …
