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THE TROUBLE WITH CHICKENS: A J. J. TULLY MYSTERY

Trouble with Chickens cover
Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Cronin
Author's First Name: 
Doreen
Illustrator's First Name: 
Kevin
Illustrator's Last Name: 
Cornell
Publisher: 
Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: 
2011
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

A former search-and-rescue dog solves a missing chickens case in suitably hard-boiled detective fashion over twenty-three very short and funny chapters, complete with noir-style patter and lots of puns. Clever and satisfying. Seven to Ten. Annette Klause

Moosh and her two chicks, Dirt and Sugar, enlist J. J. Tully, a retired search-and-rescue dog, to solve the mystery of the missing members of their brood: Poppy and Sweetie. This punny and suspenseful whodunit will have readers guessing to the witty end.

Comments

Meeting Notes for November

by ladamson - 11/22/2011 - 10:41pm

Meeting Notes for November 18

Positive Comments:

  • This funny story charms with entertaining illustrations and delightfully drawn chickens that almost look like popcorn with feet.
  • The dog’s dry sense of humor and the jokes reveal the book’s hard-boiled style.
  • No people interfere with the actions of these animals.

Observations:

  • Cartoons are full of hard-boiled language and style so children have read it elsewhere.

Concerns:

  • Will children understand the noir approach?