Marigold is a Chicken: a funny and heartwarming picture book about unconditional love

Marigold is a Chicken is a charming picture book about realising that you are you, and that is the best thing you can be.

When the hens in the coop start hatching their eggs, the chicks that emerge are all excellent at something - science, art or Maths even...but Marigold? Marigold is a cute, fluffy chick. She tries her best at all of the things the other chicks excel at, but she just can't do them. Marigold's mum then steps in to help her realise what she is excellent at . . . being herself! 

This is a story with a really lovely message, about everyone being different and that being happy with yourself is one of the best things you can be. The pictures are engaging, help to convey the story and are also amusing.

The story is written with humour and good vocabulary - it's a nice 'step up' picture book; the story is easy to follow but the language is a little more developed than first picture books. There's a good amount of text on each page, with speech bubbles and onomatopoeia presented differently - making it a great one for introducing the conventions of text to younger readers in the classroom.

Marigold is a Chicken is a lovely book to share with your own children with the core message that Barbara loves Marigold no matter what she can or can't do, or one that would be lovely to share in PSED/PSHE in an educational setting.

Picture book / Reviewed by Lizi Backhouse, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+

Four hens in the hen coop are sitting on eggs, patiently waiting for them to hatch. First is Philomena's chick. She seems born to be an athlete and Philomena is delighted. Karen's egg is next and her chick appears to be a talented artist. The next chick is very intelligent and Hilda, her mother, is sure she will become a scientist. But, when Barbara's chick hatches, her mother calls her Marigold and thinks that she is perfect, just the way she is.

Marigold is a Chicken is a wonderful story about unconditional love and the joys of being yourself. Barbara is a wonderful mother who wants nothing more than for her child to be happy and healthy, offering love and support so that her little Marigold can admire and appreciate the talents of the other chicks whilst being perfectly content to be herself. Whilst it is natural to be proud of your children and offer them support and encouragement when they show an aptitude for something, Barbara gives Marigold the best gift of all - the self-confidence to be herself and grow at her own rate.

Perfect for discussions both at home and school, this heart-warming story is one to share and enjoy again and again! The illustrations are delightful, full of humour and details to notice! The story could also be used to help children to learn about the life cycle of chickens, with a page showing how Marigold becomes a chicken at the end.

Children might enjoy making a papier mache egg shell (using a partially blown balloon for the form) and then a pom pom chick to go inside. This could become their own chick character, a friend for Marigold, to remind them how lovely it is just to be yourself!

Picture book / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+