Reviews

Chicken in the Kitchen by Mehrdokht Amini, Nnedi Okorafor

minda's review

Go to review page

lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

kemendraugh's review

Go to review page

4.0

So strange. Gorgeous.

snazel's review

Go to review page

Fun and playful, but not written for me or people with my background, and thus I didn't have the whole cultural context to hit the emotional beats at the right time.

Which is to say it's fun and playful, and not for me, and that's fine, but I can't really write a decent review.

misspentdays's review

Go to review page

5.0

A magical visitation the night before the yam festival makes for a book I can't wait to use at storytime!

readingsofaslinky's review

Go to review page

lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

theybedax's review

Go to review page

2.0

This lack magic and cohesion (something Okorafor is usually phenomenal with). While it was cute it lacked intelligence or purpose.

agudenburr's review

Go to review page

3.0

A beautifully illustrated picture book that tells a story during the New Yam Festival in Nigeria. Has a lot of text so it would make a great read aloud for older elementary children.

jennybeastie's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Ok, usually I really enjoy Okorafor's work, but I'm just not sure who this book is for -- is it meant to be an introduction to the idea of what a masquerade is for younger children? If so, I think it's somewhat successful on that level, but it's also very confusing, -- it's like it skips a page -- there's this mysterious giant chicken causing havoc and then suddenly the increasingly worried girl in the story realizes that it's a masquerade and the end. Weird. Yay for multicultural storytelling, and I liked the bright images, but this is an odd book.

I reread it, and it was less confusing this time around, but I'm still not sold on the storytelling. I'm glad other people like it, but it doesn't work for me.

aderinola's review

Go to review page

lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

ellalouise99's review

Go to review page

3.0

This is a good book with vibrant pages which draw your attention to the chicken. Anyaugo hears noises coming from her kitchen one night and goes down to see what is happening, she finds a chicken which is trying to eat the food ready for the New Yam festival. Anyaugo goes to find the Wood Wit to help her with the chicken, however the reader could infer that it is the Wood Wit causing the trouble in the first place. The story relates to the New Yam festival giving children information in a subtle and easily understanding way.