Six Little Chicks by Jez Alborough is a fantastic rhyming tale that is guaranteed to become a favourite for any child aged 5 years old and under. As well as a great story it offers opportunities for movement and counting as well as beautiful, bright illustrations.
The scene is set, it’s a beautiful day and five little chicks venture outside the chicken coop to play.
Mother Hen has a good look around to make sure that her little chicks are safe and then she goes back indoors to sit on her last egg.
No sooner does the Hen relax than Owl cries out a warning…
The big bad fox is on the prowl.
The Hen dashes out of the chicken coop to check on her chicks. She finds them pecking, cheep cheeping, flapping, hopping and kicking. Hen has another good look around and satisfies herself that all is well.
Back to the chicken coop she wanders, having warned the chicks to play closer to the safety of the chicken coop. Just as she closes her eyes Goose honks a warning…
The big bad fox is on the loose.
Once more Hen runs out to her chicks and checks all around. Once she is satisfied that all is well she clucks back to her egg. But then…
That does it! Hen calls the chicks inside. She tells the chicks to stay indoors whilst she goes off to investigate. Moments after she leaves, the chicks hear a mysterious voice.
Who could it be? The chicks move closer to find out more.
Through the crack in the back of the chicken hut the chicks meet the big bad fox!
I won’t ruin the story by telling you what happens next but I will reassure you that Mother Hen and the five chicks are eventually reunited.
Suddenly there is a crack. The last egg hatches…
… and then there were one, two, three, four, five and six.
The drama of the meeting with the fox is a fantastic climax to this story and he is defeated in the chick’s very own style. Counting feels a natural part of the story and the rhyme leads you through the adventure. It is a well-loved story in our home and a fantastic read for Spring and Easter.
Talk about
Six Little Chicks obviously lends itself to practising counting and numeracy skills but it could also prompt a discussion about fears, bravery, new life or even why it is important to play within the boundaries set by a parent or carer.
Here are some ideas or questions that you might want to use to start a discussion in your family. You know your family and which questions they are ready to tackle now and which can be left for another day:
- Where do chicks come from?
- Why does the Hen keep coming outside to check on her chicks? What is she worried about?
- Are you ever worried about anything?
- Is there anything you are afraid of?
- Do you think that the chicks in the story are clever or lucky?
- What do the pictures tell you about the chicks?
- Have you ever been told to only play in a certain place? Why do you think that was?
- Why is it important to always let a grown-up know where you are?
Crafts and activities for kids
There are lots of opportunities for discussion, play and crafts inspired by Six Little Chicks by Jez Alborough. Get your children to act out all the movements of the chicks to get them up and active. There are lots and lots of ideas for creating your own little chicks and you can have lots of fun creating and counting.
Have a look at the Pinterest Board full of crafts and activities for kids…
- Read and Create Hatching Chick Craft
- Read and Create Chicken Tessellation Activity
- The Gingerbread House Fingerprint Chicks
- Here Come the Girls Easter Chick Cards
- The Fairy and the Frog Chick Numeracy and Play
- Zing Zing Tree Fluffy Chicks
- My Little 3 and Me Rocking Easter Chick
- Nurture Store Spring Chick Play Dough
- Molly Moo Easter Chick Treat Box
- Housing a Forest Spring Oil Pastel and Watercolour Pictures
Here is a short video of the author Jez Alborough reading Six Little Chicks.
So perfect for Spring too
Becky recently posted…I did my Sports Relief 10k in my bedroom!
Bet the twins would love this book as we’ve got chickens
x
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins recently posted…Team Honk Bloggers Bake Off - Team Honk ‘Baton’berg Cake
That looks great
Have just pinned it to my Easter board too x
Kate Williams recently posted…Suddenly Grown Up: Let’s Have An Adventure Linky
Thank you Kate x
Now, as a former hen owner who lost her brood to a fox, I’m not liking this story! Glad to hear it has a happy ending for these chooks though.
Liz Burton recently posted…Easy-peasy button flower stamps
Don’t worry Liz the fox definitely does not come out on top in this version. Sorry about your chooks xx
I love how you get to talk about feelings from this book.
Pinkoddy recently posted…Sweet Dreams Little One Book Review & Giveaway
Looks like a super cute book! I love all the follow up questions and activities x
We’re big fans of Jez Alborough and the illustrations look gorgeous. As you say a great way to discuss with kids to stick close by. And perfect book in the run up to Easter with all your suggested activities.
Kriss MacDonald recently posted…There’s something about Mary’s Hair
I’m not familiar with this book but it looks a great book for the run up to Easter.
Perfect time for lots of chick related fun! We’re off on an egg hunt at the weekend. Never too soon to start on the chocolate!
Cat (Yellow Days) recently posted…Win a box of Oliver Jeffers How to Catch a Star goodies to celebrate its 10th Anniversary
This book looks perfect… brilliant for Easter! MM chocolate eggs…
I always love your book posts Kirsty - such fab activities and crafty ideas to accompany them too!
Mammasaurus recently posted…‘Simple’ - a step-by-step walkthrough customisation of the Genesis Framework
Brilliant ideas to go with a lovely book. We’ve not read this one before so we will look out for it. A great choice for this time of year!
Sounds like a fabulous book to read this Easter and some great activity ideas too
Boo Roo and Tigger Too recently posted…The Boy Who Ate Everything {Book Review}
My Mum keeps lots of chickens (in all shapes and sizes!) my two are perhaps (sadly) slightly old for this book now, but it sounds perfect for my nephews. Emma x
Awwh my reception class would love this x
What a fabulous idea - and such a lovely post. My girls are older but have been reading Anne Frank, and Enid Blyton’s Mystery of the Hidden house!
Jen recently posted…The New eBay Collections
I’m a bit worried about the chicks lol
Cass recently posted…Thank you….
My children love anything chick related so we will definitely check this out. Thanks for linking to one of our crafts too
Jenny recently posted…Granola cookies for Mother’s Day
I don’t know this book but it does sound like a winner. And I love your questions to ask after reading the book and craft ideas. Really helpful.
Healthier Mummy recently posted…Food to keep you feeling fuller for longer
What a brilliant looking story. I love Jez Alborough and I always find his stories captivating for old and young
Tired Mummy of Two recently posted…Planning tax returns - hints and tips for bloggers
Grandad has chickens and my little boy loves them so I bet he’d like this book. Fantastic ideas of things to do and talk about - pinning to my home ed board. thanks
Sam recently posted…Wednesday Wishlist - making your own Easter treats
It is a really funny and enjoyable story and thank you for the pin x
Hannah Clementson says
This is a lovely book review! we love books in our house and would love this in our collection x
Great book and great activity ideas
Kizzy recently posted…#TheGallery Sport
oh my - I was scared there!! Cute book x
Michelle recently posted…Salvador Dali Museum, Bruges, Belgium [#MuseumWeek]
This looks nice, although Miss E is older she likes youger books as she finds reading so hard. Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…Would you go to night school?
I love your prompts and tips to talk through the book, makes for a really fun activity! x
Fritha Strickland recently posted…Our Weekend in Pictures
Ooh I’ve not seen this one but it looks great for Easter and Spring, great counting activities too! x
Lori recently posted…WIN A PAIR OF SCOUT GLASSES OR SUNGLASSES // MAMA STYLE
aw how cute reminds me a little of our family lol
A lovely alternative Easter gift for Mums who don’t want to give the kids TOO much chocolate x
Donna recently posted…Eschewing The Fat: Little Things Mean A Lot
Oh wow I love the sound of this book, seems like you can have so much fun with it. POD would love it, thank you for sharing Kirsty x
Perfect story for spring!
Kara recently posted…The Gallery - Swimming
It looks like a wonderful story!!! x
Keri-Anne recently posted…Let’s have an adventure link up VI
Thanks so much for hosting this excellent link up. Loved Jez reading his book and the humour in the book. The craft suggestions are much appreciated.
Lesley recently posted…Isabella’s Bed by Alison Lester