Friday, October 13, 2017

Book Review: Preaching to the Chickens

Preaching to the Chickens. Jabari Asim. Illustrated by E.B. Lewis. 2016. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Little John Lewis loved the spring. He loved it not only because it was the time when the whole planet came alive, but also because it was the season of the chicks. Winter was too cold to bring them safely into the world, and summer was too hot. Spring was just right.

Premise/plot: This is a picture book biography of a young John Lewis. As a boy, he was in charge of the chickens on the family farm--about sixty. One of the things he loved to do was to preach to the chickens.
Like the ministers he heard in church, John wanted to preach, so he gathered his chickens in the yard. John stretched his arms above his flock and let the words pour forth. The chickens nodded and dipped their beaks as if they agreed. They swayed to the rhythm of his voice.
"Blessed are the peacemakers," he'd say when they fought over their morning meal.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness," he would tell a hen who didn't want to share, "for they shall be satisfied."
My thoughts: I enjoyed this picture book biography. I'd read the three volume graphic novel biography series, March, and was intrigued by his preaching to chickens as a young boy. I thought it was a well written story. There aren't an abundance of picture books sharing--showing--how faith impacts lives in the day-to-day. This one definitely does.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

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