FICTION

Chicken Karaoke

by Heidi E.Y Stemple (text) & illus. by Aaron Spurgeon
S. & S./Simon Spotlight. (Ready-to-Read). Jan. 2023. 32p. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781665913904; pap. $4.99. ISBN 9781665913898.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2–This story of a karaoke-singing Duck has a rhyming narrative with music-related vocabulary that will pull in even the newest reader. Color illustrations of various types of fowl and adorable yellow ducklings enhance the story of overcoming fear of the unknown—specifically, singing in public and stage fright. Flamingos, a toucan, a rooster DJ, and a flock of chickens cheer on Duck as she finally makes her way to the stage. Karaoke machine issues present shenanigans from secondary characters, which make the book quite humorous. However, the illustrations convey the setting of the story as a bar, including tables with drinks found in several of the page spreads, which is more mature than a beginning reader would expect.
VERDICT This title is very clever with its message about overcoming fears and supporting friends, but the mature illustrations present an issue with the overall book.
Reviewed by Katie Loomis , Feb 17, 2023

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