Gladys the Magic Chicken

by Adam Rubin, Adam Rex (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

From the hilarious author of Dragons Love Tacos, Adam Rubin, and the riotous illustrator of The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, Adam Rex, comes Gladys the Magic Chicken. The two Adams take us on an epic adventure that follows a tantalizing chicken, Gladys, as she unknowingly enchants her way through Ancient Times. What came first, the chicken or the egg? The answer: Gladys! Gladys came first.

From the mega-bestselling author of Dragons Love Tacos and the mega-bestselling illustrator of The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, comes this hilarious new picture book about an irresistible chicken who unexpectedly finds herself on an epic journey during Ancient Times.

Gladys the chicken must be magic. After all, for everyone who encounters her, a wish is granted. The Shepherd Boy wishes to be beautiful, the Brave Swordsman wishes to join the Royal Guard, the Purple Pooh-bah wishes for his only daughter to be happy, and the Learned Princess wishes to escape the palace. And one by one, each of these wishes comes true. But . . . is Gladys really magic? Or is everyone making their own fortune? Either way, it adds up to one heck of an adventure for a chicken named Gladys. Blending a classic storybook feel with a thoroughly modern sense of humor, this side-splitting read aloud is perfect for anyone who wishes to see magic in the world—even if they are only looking at a chicken.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593325605
Publisher:	G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	10/26/2021
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	82,029
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.40(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	AD900L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Adam Rubin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of ten critically-acclaimed picture books, including Dragons Love Tacos, Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel, High Five, Secret Pizza Party, Robo-Sauce, and El Chupacabras, which won the Texas Bluebonnet Award.

Adam Rex has illustrated many books for children, including the New York Times bestseller The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt. He is the author and illustrator of Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, also a New York Times bestseller; Nothing Rhymes with Orange; and On Account of the Gum.

Editorial Reviews

08/16/2021

Gladys isn’t really magic—she’s just an ordinary chicken with orange feathers, a bright pink comb, startled eyes, and a tendency to “ploop” out an egg at opportune moments. But back in “Ancient Times”—a phrase seemingly portrayed in a Grecian font—those who find themselves in Gladys’s company also seem to find their wishes fulfilled: from a gawky, tan-skinned shepherd who grows into a muscled hunk, to a cloistered brown-skinned princess who yearns for adventure and ends up on a pirate ship. So they celebrate Gladys’s seeming powers in story and song (“Glaaaaadys the Maaaaagic Chickkkkcken,/ Abra-cock-a-doodle-dee-doo!”), and the myth grows, while the oblivious chicken hunts for her next worm. Rubin (High Five) and Rex (On Account of the Gum) fracture mythology left and right, with a performance-worthy, aside-heavy text and comically dramatic digital cartooning. Though the scrolls and temples and toga-wearing sometimes mix questionably with stereotypical portrayals in pursuit of “Ancient Times,” Gladys’s feathered manifestation of that very human desire to “see magic in the world” is nothing to cluck at. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Jennifer Joel, ICM Partners. Illustrator’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for Gladys the Magic Chicken:

A Kids' Indie Next List Pick
A Golden Kite Award Finalist
A Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year
A Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee

"[A] magical (not to mention hilarious) tale . . . In the annals of fabulous fowl, surely Gladys reigns supreme . . . Everyone's gonna love it." —Booklist, starred review

"[A] knee-slapping, wing-flapping picture book romp . . . Rubin's humorous narration strikes the perfect tone for reading aloud . . . Cartoonishly zany." —Shelf Awareness

"Rubin and Rex fracture mythology left and right, with a performance-worthy, aside-heavy text and comically dramatic digital cartooning . . . Gladys’s feathered manifestation of that very human desire to “see magic in the world” is nothing to cluck at." —Publishers Weekly

"Written with a cheeky tone, this offbeat story puts a modern spin on exaggerated archetypal characters . . . Will appeal to elementary-age kids as well as adults . . . Flamboyant illustrations, unexpected adventures, and larger-than-life characters anchor this zany read-aloud." —Kirkus Reviews

"Sure to elicit more than a few laughs . . . The final lesson that there is magic in ordinary things (Gladys the chicken, in this case) is very sweet. Give this to the kid who has an obsession with Ancient Greece and Egypt to scratch the itch for an entertaining story set in a parody of those times. —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

From the Publisher

2021-09-15
A ravenous chicken leads the humans of the Ancient Times on a riotous romp.

Gladys begins her life as a dancing chicken living on a mountain with a Shepherd Boy, but her knack for being in the right place at the right time launches her on an incredible adventure. Touted as a magical wish-granting chicken, Gladys is spoiled, stolen, gifted, and bartered, until she finds her unlikely way home. Maybe Gladys is magical, maybe not, but either way, there’s no doubt that few chickens have led such an exciting life as she! Written with a cheeky tone, this offbeat story puts a modern spin on exaggerated archetypal characters known only by their capitalized titles, including a Traveling Merchant, the Brave Swordsman, the Learned Princess, and the Fearsome Pirate. An unnamed narrator adds humor that will appeal to elementary-age kids as well as adults. “Ancient Times” dialogue set on unfurling scrolls adds another comedic layer—as does Gladys’ penchant for “plooping” out an egg when faced with a surprise. Gladys’ rainbow-tinted plumage is set off by equally vibrant background hues. The painterly illustrations mix full- and double-page art with smaller, sequential artwork to achieve a cinematic effect. Melodramatic facial expressions and body language bring the characters, depicted with a range of skin tones, hair colors, and body types, to life. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Flamboyant illustrations, unexpected adventures, and larger-than-life characters anchor this zany read-aloud. (Picture book. 5-10)

Kirkus Reviews