  | Lena the chicken (but really a dinosaur!) Author: Bailey, Linda | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
A picture book about a chicken, who knows deep down she's really a dinosaur. Her fellow chickens are confused, but Lena stays true to herself and works on her roaring and her chasing. When a weasel tries to break into the coop, Lena's bravery makes a big impression.
| Illustrator: | Steele, K-Fai |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (07/01/25)
School Library Journal (+) (10/01/25)
Booklist (10/01/25)
The Hornbook (+) (00/11/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 08/04/2025 Convinced she’s descended from mighty dinosaurs, fierce fowl protagonist Lena is sure that her avian family is "a bunch of big chickens," an opinion helped along by the advice they give: "Aim LOW and you’ll never be disappointed." Of the farm’s human caretakers, only young Madeline, portrayed with dark hair and pink skin, appreciates Lena’s spirit: "She has PERSONALITY! I like her!" When a sneaky, magnificently whiskered weasel arrives and infiltrates the coop, Lena taps into something "way down deep inside her bones and DNA." And as the spirits of dinosaur ancestors seem to swirl about her in pale blue hues, she goes full terrible lizard, unleashing a "KKRRAAAGGGHH!!" that both routs the predator and brings her fellow chickens around ("She really IS a dinosaur! She really IS!"). Lena is further vindicated when Madeline returns from school having learned that chickens are indeed "one of the closest living relatives in the WHOLE WORLD to a dinosaur." Gloriously goofy pencil and watercolor illustrations by Steele (That Always Happens Sometimes) and theatrical dialogue from Bailey (Cinderella-with Dogs!) imbue Lena with delicious levels of gravitas across a triumphant, fully fleshed-out work that delivers important observations about honoring one’s nature. A contextualizing note concludes. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 3-7. (Oct.) - Copyright 2025
School Library Journal - 10/01/2025 PreS-Gr 3—Lena, a chicken who firmly believes she is a dinosaur, is distinguished by her bold character, which sets her apart from her easily scared chicken family. Her conviction leads her to guard the coop, attempting to deter egg collectors with "dinosaur" sounds. A human character, Madeline, appreciates Lena's unique self-perception. The plot escalates when a weasel endangers the flock, prompting Lena to unleash a "dreadful GROWL" that swells to the sound of "A THOUSAND DINOSAURS," a powerful move that drives the weasel away. This dramatic moment is enhanced by the narrative's effective use of bolding and capitalization for emphasis, conveying Lena's strong internal belief and the impact of her actions. Following this, the chickens accept Lena's dinosaur identity, and she teaches them self-defense tactics. The book culminates with a scientific revelation, well-supported by excellent back matter: Madeline's science fair project provides evidence that chickens are indeed modern-day dinosaurs, a fact consistent with recent paleontological discoveries. The illustrations, created with pencil and watercolor, effectively portray Lena's world and emotions, contributing to the story's charm and vibrancy and making this great for showing during read-alouds. By celebrating themes of self-identity, bravery, and scientific concepts in a fun, accessible way, this is valuable for young readers and for social-emotional learning. VERDICT This book offers a unique and engaging blend of fictional storytelling and scientific education, making it an excellent addition to school library collections.—Richard Winters - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
