Chicken vs Egg

This funny, clever book starts with a question everyone wants to ask: "Which came first - the chicken, or the egg?" The book tries to answer the question with an actual race between the sporty chicken and the surprising egg and, of course, some enthusiastic spectators watching the race. There's also a pesky fox who tries to get in on the race too!

Chicken vs Egg is full of great fun and with its play on language, such as "let's get ready to scramble", "cracks under pressure" and many more. The reader is taken on a jam-packed race following the chicken and egg over land, water and even the air. They meet and are helped or hindered by other animals, who become part of the race, too. The race ends in an unusual way with a surprise winner at the end - a brilliant way to finish the race!

The illustrations are bright and colourful with large pictures and small pictures supporting the fast-paced story. Children will love the fun and the antics of chicken and egg!

This book could be used in lots of different ways in the classroom, exploring questions, vocabulary and the bold words within the text. Children could make maps of the race which would support geography skills. They could also write their own versions of the story with their own surprise winner, which would link in with knowing which living things hatch from eggs. This book was shared with a class of six and seven-year-olds who laughed and really enjoyed this fun book!

Picture book / Reviewed by Maria, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The age old question is set to finally be answered in this fun picture book which depicts a very egg-citing race full of ups and downs.

Younger readers will enjoy the illustrations, which are cartoon-like and entertaining. They really help to convey the plot and make the book more accessible for early readers with engaging animals that have human-like personas.

The plot is witty and has some puns that grown-ups will enjoy, making this a lovely book to share together. I'd says it's a picture book for those in their first few years of school rather than toddlers/preschoolers as a lot of the funny moments require some wider understanding of racing, jokes and common phrases that are used in day to day life.

Chicken vs Egg is a quick paced book, that doesn't have a hidden lesson or morals, just one that is to be enjoyed. I think it would particularly be popular with sporty children who are full of energy and will enjoy watching the escapades of the chicken and the egg! I particularly enjoyed the ending which does indeed answer the question that we've wondered for years ... I'll let you read it and find out!

Picture book / Ages 4+ / Reviewed by Lizi Backhouse, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+