Scan barcode
pussreboots's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
scottjbaxter's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed reading Pinkwater's book. It was one of Michal's favorites in second grade and he did a class project about it and I was curious to read it ever since then. Like all of Pinkwater's books, this one is filled with an absurd sense of humor as, I think, the following passage illustrates:
"But how do you get squared off goldfish?" he asked.
"Of course! My secret! I do this: I put the little baby goldfish in a medium sized tank. All around the tank I put beautiful oil paintings of the bottom of a lake. The little baby goldfish is very stupid. He doesn't know they are only photographs. Also, when he bumps into the glass walls of his tank, he can't understand that it is glass -- so he forgets about it. Fish do not like to think about things they can't understand. So! Thinking the tank is as big as a lake, the goldfish begins to grow. He gets so big that his sides are touching the walls of the tank. Soon he grows to fill the corners. To make the top of the fish flat, I turn him over every so often. Presto! A square fish. The only thing I have to watch out for , is that the fish will displace all the water in his tank and suffocate. When the fish is nice and square, I put him in a nice big tank, with other nice fishes, and his is very happy."
"but why do you want them to be square?" Arthur asked.
"Why? Why? Because they are easy to stack when the are that shape, you silly boy!" Professor Mazzochi shouted.
And so on...
"But how do you get squared off goldfish?" he asked.
"Of course! My secret! I do this: I put the little baby goldfish in a medium sized tank. All around the tank I put beautiful oil paintings of the bottom of a lake. The little baby goldfish is very stupid. He doesn't know they are only photographs. Also, when he bumps into the glass walls of his tank, he can't understand that it is glass -- so he forgets about it. Fish do not like to think about things they can't understand. So! Thinking the tank is as big as a lake, the goldfish begins to grow. He gets so big that his sides are touching the walls of the tank. Soon he grows to fill the corners. To make the top of the fish flat, I turn him over every so often. Presto! A square fish. The only thing I have to watch out for , is that the fish will displace all the water in his tank and suffocate. When the fish is nice and square, I put him in a nice big tank, with other nice fishes, and his is very happy."
"but why do you want them to be square?" Arthur asked.
"Why? Why? Because they are easy to stack when the are that shape, you silly boy!" Professor Mazzochi shouted.
And so on...
blankpagealex's review against another edition
3.0
A cute, quick, and fun read for young children about what happens when we let fear corrupt our sensibilities. After attempting traps, outside experts, and a full police force, the townspeople realize that kindness is what wins in the end.
emmeline7's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick, fun read aloud! My son really enjoyed it.
angiesix's review against another edition
2.0
My 8-year-old son thought it was very good: it's tremendously silly, and he belly-laughed through multiple scenes. As a read-aloud, not so much; it wasn't super fun or entertaining for the grownup. I would most definitely recommend it for middle-grade readers between the ages of 8 and 10. For future reference, it ties in well with Thanksgiving if you want to save it for a holiday read.
missprint_'s review against another edition
4.0
I wasn’t sure about the book when it was foisted upon me by one of the children’s librarians. Chickens . . . they don’t seem that interesting. This is not the case for 266 pound chickens like Henrietta.
Arthur brings Henrietta home on Thanksgiving having failed to procure a turkey (or duck, or normal sized chicken) for his family’s holiday dinner. But, upon meeting Henrietta, the family decides she might be more pet than poultry. Chaos ensues, however, when Henrietta gets loose.
It’s a cute story and a quick read. The characters created by Daniel Pinkwater (and illustrated by his wife Jill) are memorable and lots of fun. I also really liked the message of the story, which overtly is that “Chickens need love too” but is also just a call for tolerance–something that can never be stated enough. Pinkwater originally wrote this book in the 1970s and I’m pretty confident it will continue to be a favorite for years to come.
Arthur brings Henrietta home on Thanksgiving having failed to procure a turkey (or duck, or normal sized chicken) for his family’s holiday dinner. But, upon meeting Henrietta, the family decides she might be more pet than poultry. Chaos ensues, however, when Henrietta gets loose.
It’s a cute story and a quick read. The characters created by Daniel Pinkwater (and illustrated by his wife Jill) are memorable and lots of fun. I also really liked the message of the story, which overtly is that “Chickens need love too” but is also just a call for tolerance–something that can never be stated enough. Pinkwater originally wrote this book in the 1970s and I’m pretty confident it will continue to be a favorite for years to come.
ferrisscottr's review against another edition
5.0
Still great (re-read) but what else would you expect when you have Pinkwater and a 266 pound chicken, Hoboken and a Professor named Mazzocchi and his great chicken system invention. Hijinks ensure.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
4.0
I admire any writer who can write humor for elementary age students. You have to have just the right combination of making it seem real and funny without going too far over the edge. Pinkwater does a great job with this book. Funny, touching, and just an enjoyable little book. Great for girls or boys though boys might appreciate it more. Also really more for 7 to 9 year olds than 9 to 12 year olds. I would also recommend it for reluctant readers.
The book is basically a tale of friendship between a boy named Arthur and a 266 lb. 6 foot tall chicken named Henrietta. When Henrietta gets separated from Arthur and does on a rampage, Arthur has to figure out how to get her back.
The book is basically a tale of friendship between a boy named Arthur and a 266 lb. 6 foot tall chicken named Henrietta. When Henrietta gets separated from Arthur and does on a rampage, Arthur has to figure out how to get her back.
everemmareads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.5
robinfowl's review against another edition
3.0
I have fond childhood memories of this book and enjoyed reading it out loud to my kids-- but the feminist in me had to "gloss" some of it as I read. It's not just that it would fail the Bechdel test-- only female characters are his mom and the chicken. It's more that the city council, nameless/faceless folks, can still be addressed as "gentlemen." It's probably good for me to realize that it's not *that* long ago that it was unimaginable to have a woman in local government-- but it's not like kiddos are reading this and thinking about the historical context. The book reads mostly like it's in-the-present, and I kind of wish it were updated very mildly to reflect that.