Lulu the Big Little Chick [Paperback]

Impeccably crafted and stylishly illustrated, Lulu is the imaginative brainchild of author/illustrator Paulette Bogan. I initially saw her work in the "Chicks and Salsa," in which her illustrations added pizzazz to a zany barnyard caper. Here, Bogan is both author and illustrator, and her spare, straight style is an effective counterpoint to her boldly realized animal portraits, exaggerated just enough to impart character and personality--a signature style for this very talented illustrator.

Young chicken Lulu, tired of hearing that she is too "climb the big fence" or "play in the cornfield," declares that she is leaving home, by herself, to go "far, far, away." Momma Hen calmly bids her chicklet goodbye rather than battling her. One gets the feeling that Mama is wiser than your usual mother hen, and has some experience with youthful cravings (and that human parents could learn a thing or two from her).

Lulu, wearing nothing but a red and black scarf (!) and carrying a small traveling bag, begins her trek to the "far far away." Her first stop is the pig sty, where one mischievous piglet "accidently" splashes her with mud. In a wonderful two-page spread, we see mud-spattered Lulu against a sea of snout-faced swine laying around like a pig mélange. It's unpleasant for Lulu, but very funny for the reader. There are similar unsuccessful encounters with even larger animals: sheep who almost crush her, and a horse and a cow who tell her what she least wants to hear: "You are too little to go far, far away." The cow even laughs at her with a big, bovine "Ha!" At this point, I felt a little sorry for Lulu; there's an air of defeat, as if her dreams were too big for her size. As a cautionary tale, this works, but, rooting as I do for the under-chicken, I wanted Lulu to show them all that she could do it!

Yet, there is a healthy realism, as Lulu realizes she finally is "too, too far away now," and she begins to realize that maybe there was some thought behind Mom's earlier statement (Lulu, you are too little to go far, far away from me"). Lulu, scared and getting more scared with the approaching night see something swoop over head with an unrecognized "CAW" sound. She's is very relieved to find that her mother (who we suspect has been secretly following along--as well as two big-hearted pigs who we see on every page), is right beside that scary (but friendly) crow, and Mom scoops her up in her arms. You can SEE the love in their eyes; even the two pigs who've been following Lulu are all smiles. There's also a heartwarming ending, as tender and touching as you'll find in any great kids' book:

"Momma," said Lulu.
"Yes, my love," sid Momma.
"Momma, next time I go far, far away, I will take you with me."

The latter is said with excitement by the undaunted Lulu, who feels a sort of triumph after the earlier slights and indignities. I was happy for her. Paulette Bogan triumphs as well, with a funny, exciting, and loving book about the duality of adventure and safety, of big and small. In a way, it depends on perspective, and Bogan penultimate illustration reveals that, for all her real fear, Lulu never really traveled out of eyesight of her home--it just felt that way. Ms. Bogan has produced one of my favorite books of the year in this epic tale of small proportions.

Filled with comical illustrations that bring smiles and a story that teaches a valuable lesson there's a lot to like about LULU THE BIG LITTLE CHICK. Author/illustrator Bogan fills pages with bold whimsical illustrations that capture and hold young eyes, such as smiling hens happy in their hen house reading a book and knitting. More farm animals include docile, furry sheep in need of shearing, pudgy pink pigs, and an outsize cow.

Very much like other youngsters Lulu doesn't like being the littlest chick on the farm. She doesn't like being told all the thing she cannot do because she's so small - she cannot lay eggs, she cannot climb the big fence, she cannot play in the cornfield. All of that was difficult for her to take. However when Momma said, "Lulu, you are too little to go very far from me...," Lulu decided that wasn't true and she was going "far, far away."

Little did she know where "far, far away" was or what she might find there. Youngsters will be surprised by her adventures and undoubtedly realize along with Lulu that home is the best place to be.

Highly recommended to remind young ones that they will grow in time and go to other places but meanwhile it's best to stay safe at home.

- Gail Cooke

Little Lulu, a chick, dreams of being big and traveling far, far, away. She leaves the barn and travels by the pig sty and the sheep pen, all the way to the horse and cow pasture. But as Lulu reaches the farthest edge of the farm, she starts to want to be back at the barn with her Momma and the other chicks. Just then, her Momma comes to the rescue, promising to bring Lulu with her the next time she goes far away. Children ages 2-5 will love this story of growing independence.