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Get Real, Lucille!

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34 pages, Paperback

Published August 5, 2025

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Laura Petrisin

6 books12 followers

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5 stars
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5 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
1 review
August 15, 2025
“Get real Lucille” is already a family favorite and will get the lions share of the rotation in our dozens of children’s books. The message of the book is captured brilliantly through the fun, engaging illustrations and dialogue. Some of my favorite parts were the facial expressions of Lucille and the hens and the detail of the illustrations like the coloring and speed lines on the eggs and the dust cloud when Lucille is trying to scratch the dirt. In fact the whole middle sequence with the hens is fantastic! You will feel bad for Lucille and laugh at her good natured attempt to fit in at the same time. This book is sure to delight young readers and will certainly be a great book to read aloud to your kids. It will have them clucking and honking right along with you!
Profile Image for Stephanie Cotta.
Author 9 books86 followers
July 3, 2025
I LOVED everything about this picture book! I smiled and laughed out loud so much while reading this delightful picture book. The illustrations are wonderful--the movement and expressions of the characters, especially Lucille, are truly excellent. The way Lucille--a rubber chicken--stands with her arm on her hip just cracks me up!

The message is endearing too: be true to the real you. I also think children will enjoy the unique font, which is interactive, with highlighted colors and stylistic flair.

Get Real, Lucille would make an excellent addition to any child's bookshelf.
Profile Image for Grace Petrisin.
166 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2025
LOVE this book! It is the perfect gift for my friends and family with children. Such a great lesson about making your own path and how being different is beautiful. The story is powerful, while also hilarious, and the main character is just downright lovable. The illustrations are also fabulous making this book a 10 out of 10!
Profile Image for Stacey Bartlett.
Author 2 books18 followers
June 23, 2025

It is easy to fall in love with the fun, colorful picture book Get Real, Lucille! by Laura Petrisin the moment you set eyes on the cover. Children will enjoy joining Lucille the rubber chicken as she leaves her life in the circus behind to find out what it means to be real and happy with herself just the way she is, valuable lessons for little ones to internalize without even realizing it as they turn the pages of this story full of vibrant illustrations and adventure. My son particularly loved the surprises among the audience at the circus! This is one of those picture books little ones will pick up again and again and count among their favorites!
1 review
June 26, 2025
What an amazing book with a lesson for everyone on finding our spot in the world and the importance of perspective and communication. I enjoyed each and every page. The illustrations were colorful and fun. From the beginning, I was in love with sweet Lucille and was smitten with her journey to find her joy.
Profile Image for Feathered Quill Book Reviews.
486 reviews67 followers
September 8, 2025
Get Real, Lucille by Laura Petrisin centers around Lucille, a rubber chicken, who feels disappointed with her simple role as a circus prop. Every day, as showtime begins, Peaches grabs Lucille and tosses her in the air, juggling her along with juggling pins. When Peaches rides her bike, she squeezes Lucille so hard that she screams “Honk,” making the audience laugh out loud. When Lucille gets drenched by the funny flowers which splash water on her the minute Peaches hands them to her, people continue to enjoy the spectacle and start laughing even louder. Only, Lucille doesn’t find it funny. To her, it seems everyone keeps laughing at her expense.

As Lucille discovers real chickens running about happily in a farm, she yearns to be a part of their community. Despite being painfully aware of her difference, she can’t help but wish she could be accepted by them. What follows is a journey of self-discovery and emotional growth. Lucille finally finds a purpose in her role at the circus and instead of feeling dejected for not being like the other chickens, she develops a greater sense of appreciation for who she truly is. With humor and sensitivity, this book encourages children to love themselves and to develop empathy for those around them.

Situations where children feel excluded from groups or shunned by other kids for being different can begin happening once they step into their school life. Although kids might not see any apparent harm in teasing their classmates, it can still be very upsetting for the one who gets mocked by others. Yet, differences are bound to be felt because no two persons are alike. When comparisons arise, it is also natural that there might be some who share common interests and who are then more likely to form a community. While we cannot prevent such instances, we can prepare our children for how to react to them. This is where Get Real, Lucille comes into the picture. It helps children learn to deal with such situations, while also grounding them morally and teaching them social-emotional thinking.

Accompanied by beautiful illustrations and color-coded words, reading this book is guaranteed to be as much a pleasure as a learning experience.

Quill says: Get Real, Lucille is perfect as a bedtime story for young children. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Kathy Temean.
1,647 reviews41 followers
December 29, 2025
Get Real, Lucille! is a joyful, laugh-out-loud picture book that blends humor, heart, and self-discovery into a story kids will want to revisit again and again. Lucille may start out as a rubber chicken in a circus act, but her journey quickly becomes something much deeper — a tender exploration of what it truly means to be “real.”

Children (Ages 5–8 will love this book. Laura Petrisin delivers a narrative that is both silly and sincere, giving young readers permission to embrace their quirks, find their voice, and shine from the inside out. The premise is delightfully absurd in the best way, yet the emotional core is grounded and relatable for children navigating honesty, identity, and self-acceptance.

The writing is lighthearted and clever, and the humor lands without ever overshadowing the message. Early readers will giggle at the feathers-flying chaos, while adults will appreciate the gentle emotional themes woven throughout. The tone remains uplifting and heartwarming from start to finish.

Lucille herself is an unforgettable character — earnest, funny, and wonderfully expressive. Her journey encourages kids to celebrate what makes them unique, reminding them that being “real” isn’t about how you look or what others expect from you, but about being true to who you are.

This makes it Perfect for Classroom SEL discussions and Storytime read-a louds. Plus, families looking for books about confidence and authenticity and kids who love humor with heart will be drawn to this book.

Bottomline is that : A charming, meaningful picture book with a big personality and an even bigger heart. Lucille is the kind of character who sticks with you — and the world truly does need the Real Deal Lucille.

“Lucille may be a rubber chicken, but her message is the real deal — and one kids will carry long after the giggles fade — feathers, flaws, and all.”
Profile Image for Children's Bookshelf.
416 reviews39 followers
August 17, 2025
Wonderful book about embracing your true self!

It follows Lucille, a rubber chicken, who’s tired of being just a joke in a circus act with her friend Peaches. Peaches likes their performance, but Lucille is unsatisfied and yearns to be something more… she wants to be a real chicken.

One day, the circus train passes a farm full of real chickens, and Lucille decides to run away and join them. But her dream quickly becomes a challenge. The farm chickens mock her, saying she can’t scratch, cluck, fluff feathers, or lay eggs. Feeling rejected, Lucille feels like she doesn’t belong anywhere. But when the chickens throw eggs at her in anger, Lucille instinctively juggles them. Her skills begin drawing laughter and admiration. The chickens realize she is special after all. Reinvigorated, Lucille returns to Peaches and embraces her identity, and the circus but suggests a new more respectful act. After that, their new act was a smash hit!! Rather than fitting in, Lucille reinvented her role, offering a model of adaptive authenticity rarely portrayed so effectively in a children’s book.

We read this with the third graders, we all had some laughs, the kids loved the illustrations. The deeper message about embracing who you are and having self worth was easy for them to understand. Lucille’s internal conflict is relatable to kids, as many grapple with feelings of being “different.”Afterwards we talked about the book and it led to a great discussion.

If you’re looking for a fun book that highlights an important life lesson, this is a must have.
270 reviews
June 23, 2025

Lucille is a bright yellow rubber chicken. She is the sidekick to Peaches the Clown in a traveling Circus. Being tossed and honked and squirted in every show brings howls of joy and laughter from the audience. But, Lucille is tired of it and longs to be a real chicken. One day as their circus train chugged past a farmyard full of real chickens Lucille hatched, no, not eggs, she hatched a plan. A plan to become a real chicken. And while Peaches was busy setting up for their next show Lucille bounced back to the farm she’d seen. She is soon surrounded by real chickens who, when she introduces herself as a chicken, laugh and tell her, Get real, Lucille! You are not a real chicken! Lucille quickly learns that she cannot do all the things real chickens can. She can’t cluck or fluff her feathers or scratch the yard. They call her a fraud and worse still they start throwing eggs at her. Catching the eggs Lucille begins to juggle them. And it was during her fantastic egg juggling act that Lucille realized just how much she loved making people laugh. And so she returned to the circus and a delighted Peaches who’d missed Lucille so much she agreed to make changes to their show. Get Real, Lucille is a heartwarming story of how one unhappy rubber chicken discovers her real purpose and joy in life.

This wonderfully illustrated picture book skillfully shows Lucille’s journey from self reflection to personal growth.


Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Lori Keating.
Author 5 books28 followers
June 24, 2025
Get Real, Lucille! by Laura Petrisin is a joyful and heartfelt picture book that blends humor with a meaningful message about being true to oneself. Lucille, a lovable rubber chicken from the circus, isn't content with just making people laugh—she dreams of something more: becoming a "real" chicken. Her quest leads young readers on a charming journey filled with whimsy, wonder, and unexpected wisdom.

With bright, playful illustrations and a cast of quirky characters, this book will easily capture the imagination of young children. Lucille’s adventure gently introduces themes of self-acceptance and the value of embracing who we are, making it both entertaining and enriching. Parents, teachers, and caregivers will appreciate how the story opens the door to conversations about identity, self-esteem, and the idea that being "real" doesn’t mean changing what makes us special.

Whether it's the giggles from Lucille’s circus acts or the sweet twist in her story, Get Real, Lucille! is a read-aloud favorite in the making. This book is perfect for bedtime, classroom shelves, or anytime a little reminder of self-love is needed.
1 review
August 5, 2025
Laura Petrisin beautifully and creatively brings “Get Real Lucille” to life.
The story is rich with wonder, reflection, and a captivating journey that draws you deep into Lucille’s world. From the very beginning, you feel her heart, her questions about belonging, her curiosity, and the quirky charm that keeps you engaged in her adventure.

You’ll find yourself laughing out loud as Lucille speaks honestly from her heart, and identifying with her as the other chickens question her authenticity. Laura weaves reality with whimsy in such a candid yet gentle way, inviting readers, young and old, to reflect on life, growth, and self-discovery.

The pages are bursting with hysterical humor, delightful illustrations, and a sense of playful imagination that makes Lucille’s circus adventure unforgettable. I highly recommend this book for your children and grandchildren. It’s a story you’ll return to again and again, right to the heart of the circus, with Lucille leading the way!
1 review
July 7, 2025
Get Real, Lucille! Is a wonderful book about a rubber chicken who was used as a prop in a circus. She longed to be a real chicken and set off on an adventure to a chicken farm. It didn’t take her long to realize that she didn’t fit in there and that she missed her life in the circus. Lucille found that she too had a special gift, that of making people laugh instead of always being laughed at.

This is a great story of accepting who you are and what you have to offer to others.

As well as an endearing story, the illustrations are amazing. They are cute, imaginative and draw you in, bringing life to Lucille’s story.

Thank you Laurie Petrisin, for your dedication, love of writing for children and for using your amazing talent in illustrations. I loved this book and would highly recommend it to young readers and families alike.
1 review
Read
July 7, 2025
Who can’t relate to Lucille whether she’s rubber or real? The whole gamut of feelings out in the real world Lucille experiences has all been experienced by young people and adults at one time or another. Laura’s book makes you feel well…normal. What a wonderful ending! It put a smile on our grandson’s face (And me too!)
When asked what he thought of the book he replied simply, “I loved it!”
“What did you love about it, Oliver?”
“I loved Lucille and I loved the pictures.”
Being a lover of art at such a young age, he knows a good artist when he sees one!
Oliver is a lover of books and is always either listening or reading.
Thank you, Laura, for allowing us to be a part of Lucille’s world, and for the chuckles and smiles she brought to us! Bravo!
Profile Image for Kalie (Half of Pristine Prose).
205 reviews22 followers
July 18, 2025
This is the first time an author for children’s books has reached out to us to request a review. So that’s fun.

The premise of this story being a rubber chicken was quite hilarious to me and it ended up being cute. The fact that Lucille is a river chicken that wears a pearl necklace made me smile quite a lot. That was a great edition to the illustrations in this story book.

I didn’t expect the lovely morals to the story that this story book had. You don’t need to fit in to have a place where you belong, loving your people is the most important thing, and the difference between laughing at someone and laughing with someone.

Over all this silly little story is a great addition to any child’s collection of wholesome reads.
Profile Image for Ameliessa Richardson.
Author 5 books59 followers
February 27, 2026
Amazing Story About Staying True to Yourself!
I was absolutely charmed by Lucille’s journey from a circus rubber chicken to finding her true calling. I loved the deeper message, it’s not about changing who you are to fit in, but about finding the place where your unique talents are celebrated.

The "egg-juggling" part had us both giggling, but it also opened up a great conversation with my girl about the difference between being laughed at and laughing with someone. Seeing Lucille return to the circus as her "true" self was such an empowering ending. It’s a witty, heartwarming, and beautifully told story that proves being "real" is all about being yourself. A total must-read for any little one finding their way!
Profile Image for Bernadette Frenz.
181 reviews
August 7, 2025
A dear story for children, with a positive message and more, this is a story reminiscent of The Velveteen Rabbit, but with humor. A story which may bear multiple readings to your children and grandchildren, Lucille is, yes, a rubber chicken who works with her partner Peaches the Clown, at the circus. But Lucille longs for more authenticity, and she wants to be taken seriously by others. So, she begins to explore life outside her circus world, and begins to work out a plan to achieve what she's looking for. Humor and heart abound in this little story, as Lucille, the rubber chicken with the pearl necklace, finds her way into your own heart, and makes you laugh as she does it.
Profile Image for Dawn Feltrop.
Author 1 book8 followers
December 30, 2025
Get Real, Lucille! is a delightful children’s book about Lucille, a rubber chicken used as a circus prop. Dreaming of becoming a real chicken, she embarks on an adventure to a farm—only to discover she doesn’t quite fit in there and misses her circus life.
Along the way, Lucille realizes her true gift: making people laugh and bringing joy, rather than always being the one laughed at. This heartwarming story beautifully explores themes of self-acceptance, embracing who you are, and recognizing the unique value you bring to others.
A fun, uplifting read that’s perfect for sparking conversations about identity and confidence!
26 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2026
This imaginative story offers a thoughtful exploration of self-acceptance and the courage it takes to stand firmly in one’s own identity. Though the message is delivered through the lens of a rubber chicken, its emotional resonance feels genuine and accessible for young readers. The rhythmic repetition throughout the text lends itself beautifully to read-aloud moments, inviting participation and anticipation, particularly with the spirited refrain, “Get real, Lucille!”

This story opens the door to meaningful conversations between children and the adults who guide them, gently reinforcing the enduring truth that authenticity matters (and that's a message that resonates at every age!).
7 reviews
May 11, 2026
I like the message behind this book. Just like Lucille, we sometimes struggle with accepting who we are and tend to focus on wanting to be someone else, instead of appreciating the great things about ourselves. Over time, we realize that other people’s lives aren’t as perfect as they may seem.

Lucille thought she truly wanted to be a real chicken, until she saw the reality of what that actually meant. It’s a simple but powerful reminder about self-acceptance and appreciating your own unique strengths.
Profile Image for Carol Baldwin.
Author 2 books70 followers
June 21, 2025
Lucille, the circus chicken has a problem. She wants to be a REAL chicken. But she's made out of rubber! She can't fluff out her feathers or lay eggs. All she's good at is making people laugh at her silly antics with Peaches the clown. Until...she discovers the trick of being the Real Deal.

This is an adorable picture book that children will enjoy and want to read over and over. Kudos to Laura Petrisin for bringing this fun social-emotional story to life!
1 review
August 6, 2025
A great example of why the grass isn't always greener on the other side, Get Real, Lucille! is a tale of a rubber chicken that, through a series of charming misadventures and perspective gained, realizes purpose and joy can come from unsought corners of life . Wonderfully illustrated by the author herself, the book also plays with the ideas of belonging and acceptance...things that not only children can empathize with, but parents, too!
Profile Image for Janet Ashmore.
419 reviews17 followers
December 21, 2025
"Get Real, Lucille" is a children's picture book that introduces children to the concept of being true to themselves. In this story, a rubber chicken thinks she'd like to be a real chicken, then finds a way to enjoy being herself. There is also an empathy-building theme in which the rubber chicken likes to have others laugh with her, not at her.The illustrations are fabulous. Children will read this book again and again!
Profile Image for Carole G. Barton.
538 reviews28 followers
January 23, 2026
“Get Real, Lucille!” Is a fun picture book by Laura Petrisin. Lucille, the talkative rubber chicken and Peaches, the clown work at a circus. Lucille was really sad as the crowds laughed. When Lucille sees a chicken farm, she goes there. Will she fit in with real chickens or will she go back to the circus with Peaches? I highly recommend this adorable picture book. It is great for social emotional learning. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Ann Fleming.
Author 4 books24 followers
February 10, 2026
Get Real, Lucille is an endearing story about a rubber chicken who is unhappy with being the butt of all the jokes in a circus act that she performs with her friend Peaches. When Lucille heads out on her own and has an encounter with some real chickens, I couldn’t help but be reminded of The Velveteen Rabbit, one of my all time favorites. The message is delivered in an entertaining and lighthearted way that children will enjoy, and the illustrations are delightful.
Profile Image for Nicholas Bruce.
Author 1 book1 follower
May 22, 2026
This was such a sweet and unexpectedly charming story! I’ll admit I was a little skeptical at first based on the description and artwork, but the book completely won me over. Lucille’s journey of figuring out what it means to be “real” was both funny and heartfelt, with a great message about self-worth and belonging. The humor kept things light and fun, and honestly, a rubber chicken is always going to get some laughs. Definitely a cute and enjoyable read to add into the rotation!
Profile Image for Rella B..
Author 5 books61 followers
January 22, 2026
Very relatable and fun to read, this story follows a rubber chicken longing to belong. It beautifully captures the experience of children discovering who they are and where they fit in the world. Paired with bright, colorful illustrations and a circus-themed storyline, it gently reminds young readers that they don’t need to change who they are to be accepted. Being real is enough.
Profile Image for Penny Schneider.
Author 2 books25 followers
June 23, 2025
Lucille, the rubber chicken from the circus, has dreams of being a Real Chicken. When Lucille finally has her chance....is it all that she hoped for? Or does she learn to appreciate who she was all along... "for real"? Read along Lucile's sweet, adorable and funny journey.
Profile Image for Pat Danna.
Author 7 books10 followers
January 2, 2026
I loved this humorous read-aloud book about Lucille, a rubber circus chicken, who "flocks" to a farm believing that there's a better life as a chicken in the hen house...only to discover that she should accept herself as she is...an entertainer!
Profile Image for Carolyn Watson-Dubisch.
Author 49 books102 followers
January 20, 2026
Adorable story with a great message. Lucille is unhappy as a funny rubber chicken in the circus and runs away to a farm. She learns being a real chicken is not all it’s cracked up to be. Very cute and funny. This is a great classroom book for kindergartners.
Profile Image for Betty Cetas.
Author 10 books2 followers
February 8, 2026
Humorous story to help kids find their worth

This was a fun book to read and the illustrations were cute too! There is a good lesson here for children to help them discover their own talents and in learning to advocate for themselves. I can't wait to read this one to my own grandchildren.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews