Flora and the Chicks by Molly Idle - OPTIONAL

Idle, Molly Flora and the Chicks: A Counting Book. BOARD BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2017. $9.99. Content: G.

Mother Hen leaves her nest for a bit to go on a walk, leaving a young girl, Flora, behind. While she watches the nest, chicks begin to hatch—one, two, three and on up to nine. When Mother Hen returns, there are now a grand total of 10 chicks/chickens. Every other page has a “lift-the-flap” page to lengthen the picture scene and discover the next number.  

I have mixed feelings about this board book. There is no text beyond the single numbers listed on each page, so telling the actual “story” requires some creativity. It seems like the type of book a child would look at on their own, however the audience that it’s then aimed at is the same audience that would likely tear apart the “lift the flap” pages. That being said, the artwork is really beautiful and adults will like it. In the hands of a gifted adult who can guide a child through the story and the counting, this could be a nice addition to a library. 

Pre-K—OPTIONAL. Reviewer: TC