Mr. Watson's Chickens

by Jarrett Dapier, Andrea Tsurumi (Illustrator)

Interrupting Chicken meets Click, Clack, Moo in this zany classic-in-the-making!

With rollicking rhythms, nonsensical refrains, and too many chickens to count, this modern classic will inspire unstoppable giggles and endless rereads. Bawka-bawka!

Mr. Watson has 456 chickens in the sink, on the bed, in the bread box. When his partner, Mr. Nelson, threatens to leave, Mr. Watson takes his chickens to town to sell only for them to escape! Young readers will follow Mr. Watson all around town as he gathers up his chickens. But, when they're all rounded up, does he have the heart to sell them? Does a different fate await these chickens?

This quirky, irresistible book is full of read-aloud fun with its onomatopoeia, rollicking rhythm, and familiar refrains and ends with a touch of sweetness. It has all the makings of a classic, with a farm theme, hilarious refrains, and a familiar narrative structure that unfolds in threes. Librarians, teachers, and parents looking for a new book that feels traditional will love sharing this book with children.

A JOY TO This is a very classic-feeling storybook. Paired with its funny farm setting and hilarious refrains, this book is sure to inspire countless rereads and endless giggles.

PERFECT This book is full of nonsensical sounds and repetition that make it fun to read out loud and invite audience participation. It's a perfect choice for classroom events and laptime reads.

LIKE CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM, WITH CHICKENS!: With its bouncy refrains and rollicking rhythms, this book will remind readers of classic bestsellers like Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

REALISTIC RELATIONSHIP UNUSUAL IN PICTURE This book features a gay couple at its center, but doesn't call specific attention to it. It simply portrays a healthy relationship between two men (and their chickens!).

WRITTEN BY A NEW TALENT WHO REALLY UNDERSTANDS This is Jarret Dapier's first book! He's a popular, award-winning teen librarian who works with kids, knows what they like, and is well-versed in the rhythms of the classic children's book—and he has many more stories up his sleeves.

DELIGHTFUL, DETAILED DRAWINGS OF OVER 400 CHICKENS!: With hundreds of chickens to find and scenes crammed with action and detail, the pages of this book are chock-full of things to look at. Young readers will spend hours poring over each spread.

Perfect parents, families looking for LGBTQIA+ stories, fans of funny books

Genres: Picture Books, LGBT, Animals, Humor, Childrens, Storytime, Queer

48 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2021

About the author

Jarrett Dapier is a writer, librarian, and drummer who has loved listening to jazz all his life. He lives in Evanston, Illinois, with his family and their many pets. His favorite treat is an Art Blakey Flakey. Jazz For Lunch! is his picture book debut.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

CLUCKTASTROPHE! What do you do when you have too many chickens? How will you find a home for all of them? When will your life go back to normal? A fun book that reminds us that there is always a companionate solution to a problem if we just look hard enough and reach out to our friends for help.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the gay leading couple but hate all the chickens.

Latching onto the urban chicken farming fad, this story exaggerates what happens when backyard breeders get out of control with their livestock in a humorous manner, but I have some serious reservations about that particular topic, so I wasn't able to let loose and enjoy all the antics.

(Another project! I'm reading all the picture books and graphic novels from NPR's Books We Love 2021: Kids’ Books list.)

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I award this book 456 chickens

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, mixed feelings on this one! I loved the wacky fun of the illustrations, the inclusivity, and the fact that chickens are depicted as personality-plus birds, rather than the standard societal view of them as objects and ingredients. The wonderful illustrations are an absolute joy to look at and kids will be pouring through them again and again to see what they missed the last time. And there are so many laugh-out-loud moments of chickens doing everything from playing the piano to giving themselves "punk" hairdos!

At the same time, as someone interested in animal welfare, I also see the cringe factor of a story of people allowing their pets to breed out-of-control until they take over their home, then dumping them on someone who conveniently "wants them all," and then, at the end of the story, starting the whole cycle over again. When these things happen in real life, it is never as cute and happy as it is in this story.

That said, considering the pervasive fantasy element of the chickens' antics and the way the story plays out, it is clear MR. WATSON'S CHICKENS is meant to be taken in a cartoonish spirit. As long as readers see it as such, this book is a lot of fun.

[Kathryn]

In many regards, this is super charming and FUN! The kids loved this one, and my youngest wanted several re-reads. The humor and "Where's Waldo" aspect with finding the chickens and all their antics really appealed to him. I appreciated the super sweet love story. That said, I was uncomfortable with the lack of responsibility with Mr. Watson's chicken population getting out of control then running amok through the town causing destruction (and potentially endangering themselves). I know it was done for the humor and the guys do seem to care about their chickens, but it just didn't sit too well with me knowing that it's all to easy for people to let their pet population get out of control then become someone else's burden and not all of those real-world animals will have the "happy ending" (and was it, really?) these chickens do. (See Peacegal's review for more details.) So, I'm a little torn on this and not quite sure how to rate it.

[Aneesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally the children's book we've all been waiting for about queer characters but not about being queer.

[Trevor Klundert · Rating 4 out of 5]

An NPR best book of the year. I love how casual this storybook is about the main characters being a gay couple. What would I have given for this type of representation and visibility when I was a kid! Plus, this story has such a beautiful, heart wrenching moment: “Mr. Watson loved his chickens, but he loved Mr. Nelson more. Without Mr. Nelson, his heart would become a broken egg.”

[Patricia Q · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't even want to think about the smell that almost 500 chickens would make in your home but it's hard not to think about while reading this. 🐔

[Ricki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hysterical. The chickens cracked me up. Teachers will love reading this book aloud. Mr. Watson's partner Mr. Nelson is threatening to leave because they have TOO MANY CHICKENS (456, actually). So they take their chickens into town to give them away to chicken homes, but all does not go as planned. There is so much care and thought in this book--from the writing to the illustrations of all of the chickens. Kids will love it.

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up at our school library. I love the wonderful story of how three chickens quickly overtake Mr. Watson's home. The chickens are everywhere! But, do not fear, when things get too crowded, one particular chicken's singing prowess saves the day.

[Adele · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the chickens and I really didn't like that Mr. Watson let them wreak havoc on everyone around. Also, why are Mr. Watson and Mr. Nelson referred to throughout the book in that way even by each other? What's up with that?

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Watson lives with Mr. Nelson and in their home, they have some dogs and cats, plus three chickens. Everything worked out just fine, mostly. They're in the house and Andrea Tsurumi's illustrations show some funny scenes. Those THREE chickens are everywhere, playing musical instruments, having pancakes with everyone for breakfast, the usual! Well, soon enough, "one, two, three" wasn't enough. Jarrett Dapier's story becomes outrageous, hilarious, hard to believe. Pretty soon, there are 456 chickens, EVERYWHERE. As Mr. Watson and Mr. Nelson try hard to be happy about it, they do realize it's just too much. They box them up for moving them to a new home. What happens then, you'll need to read and read it aloud to a group of young readers who will love it and laugh till they cry. What a story!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK!! There are so many chickens! Such a whacky fun and silly story about owning too many chickens. I love it. I love chickens and this story was just great. Also I love how it hints that Mr. Watson and the other Mister are probably a gay couple since they live together and share a bed, but the story doesn't make it to be about their sexuality. It's about Mr. Watson's chickens. Love it.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute. The illustrations are funny. The inclusivity was a part of the story and not anything to hang a lantern on. But having too many chickens could be symptom of animal hoarding.

Best part:

Mr. Watson loved his chickens. but he loved Mr. Nelson more. Without Mr. Nelson, his heart would be a broken egg.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Add this to your rainbow library! Part counting book, part seeking/gazing book. Loaded with humor and chickens, it's a tale about urban farmers nearly losing their minds and their relationship when things get overwhelming. There is no such thing a a free egg bawka-bawka in da chow-chow!

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 A chicken edition of Where’s Waldo.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book, silly, whimsical, and fun to read-aloud, or to read alone and get lost in the detailed pictures. Loved the casual gay and trans rep

[deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Downright adorable, highly entertaining, and has some wonderful Where's Waldo-style spreads chock full of chickens doing all kinds of wacky things! I can't wait to read this one to my nephews. :)

[Molly Schrank]

In this EGGcellent and zany story of a flock of crazy chicken run aFOWL, Dapier and Tsurumi have crafted a hilarious and heartfelt picture BAWK. With a gay couple at the story's center and images packed with hysterical (and inclusive) details, this is perfect for fans of Bathe the Cat, another TAIL of animal antics featuring a queer family.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amusing story about a couple whose pet chickens multiply and take over their lives! The illustrations are busy and full of great details to pore over, reminiscent of a search and find (culminating in a full page "where's waldo" esque spread). I love the matter of fact presentation of the men's relationship, and how tenderly they obviously care for each other. The chickens themselves are full of character and detail, with various breeds shown. Well suited for storytime, with the caveat that EVERYONE will be wanting to check it out afterwards to look more closely at each page.

[Aspen Gillman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Confused, mostly.

As a nonbinary person and long-time chicken keeper, I was so excited to discover this book. Queer chicken owners and fun on par with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom? Yes, please!

Despite the cute illustrations, this one missed the mark for me. The book has some rhyming parts, but it isn't in any kind of consistent meter and Aunt Agnes' song, for being the humorous parts, just fell flat. Silly chicken sounds might have landed a bit better instead of her being able to sort of speak? It's all a bit awkward to read aloud and not the rhythmic fun I'd been hoping for.

My biggest "meh" about this book is, as others have pointed out, the depiction of excessive (hoarding?) animals magically being rehomed. I absolutely understand it's meant to be silly and not literal, but we can do better than showing kids animals can just be passed off when they become a problem. It's a kid's book, I get it, but the irresponsible owner part is a bit too much for me.

I was hoping to use this book for a story time with chickens event, but this one will be a pass. :c

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The inclusiveness of this book is fantastic. And it offers a lot of interesting illustrations to explore. I am unsure what the book's audience is, though. Some of the style comes across like a Web comic, a random few of the page spreads look like they belong in a Where's Waldo book and disrupt the flow, and the plot has aspects that would be entertaining to young readers but overall seems more geared toward adults, with a kind of muddled message. The disparate intimacy level of showing the characters in their shared bed together (which I found sweetly normalizing and totally appropriate) yet having them call each other exclusively "Mr. Watson" and "Mr. Nelson," even in a major relationship conversation, was distracting and odd. Also, I have to give an extreme side-eye to the chickens helping Mr. Nelson to cook eggs!

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm buying this book from my best friend who has chickens. Love the story, and that Mr. Watson and Mr. Nelson's hearts are big enough for so many pets. Mention of a farmer's market made me very happy.

[Rikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super duper cute story!
LGBTQ characters and humor.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a gay male couple, a hilarious singing chicken, and tons of humor, this is a storytime hit with good LGBTQ rep.

[Lizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute mostly but the solution to animal hoarding and improper breeding control is hardly worth celebrating.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story slight, but art and characters amazing. I especially love the 'Where's Waldo' spread at the fair, and the night-time scene including the expressions of bemusement on opossum and raccoon.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Watson lives with Mr. Nelson in a big house in an even bigger city. In their little yard, they kept dogs, cats and three chickens. They started with a sensible number of chickens, but Mr. Watson’s collection quickly grew until they had 456 chickens! Their big house had chickens in every room. One of the chickens, Aunt Agnes, even wrote a song that added to the chaos and noise. She sang it all the time. Finally, Mr. Nelson had had enough and threatened to move out to the chicken coop in the yard if nothing was done. The two of them took the chickens to the county fair to get rid of them. But after an accident sets all of the chickens free, they are forced to gather them all up again. Luckily, their accident proves to be exactly the solution to the chickens.

This picture book shares rollicking rhythms and repetition along with a skillfully told story. Dapier leans into the full chaos of so many chickens. It’s the song that Aunt Agnes writes that really proves to be too much, though young listeners will love it. There is a merriness to the entire book, where the chickens steal the story away from the gay couple who are struggling to adapt and figure out how to take control back from their feathered friends. The human couple caught in the frenzy are a wonderful example of how being gay can be an integral part of a story but not seen as an issue.

Tsurumi’s illustrations have a touch of vintage cartoons mixed with modern elements. She shows the wild world of the chickens with details that are great fun to look at. There is even one double-page spread of the county fair where readers can search for the last chicken. She layers additional visual jokes and humor onto a story that is already great fun.

A funny feathery frantic tale of pets that get out of control. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t like surprises and I don’t like anything or anyone forced on me and I especially don’t like people forcing their sex styles on me or on children.

Before introducing a book to my grandchildren I read it first.

Mr. Watson’s Chickens was not solely about chickens.

Mr. Watson’s Chickens is about teaching children about homosexuality!

Mr. Watson’s Chickens opens with the narrator saying he lives with another man and ends with the narrator getting into bed with another man.

Mr. Watson’s Chickens is the perfect book to read to learn what grooming looks like.

Personally, I don’t care if a biological male enjoys having sex with another biological male—it’s none of my business.

Personally, I don’t care if a biological female enjoys having sex with another biological female—it’s none of my business.

I do care when it’s being introduced to children!

I found Mr. Watson’s Chickens in the Fairfax County Virginia public library in the children’s section.

I highly recommend reading books before introducing the material to children because, in today’s climate, they are camouflaged with beautiful and colorful expensive looking covers and deceiving titles.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious and wonderful and has all the elements for a great read-aloud that kids will ask for again and again! Mr. Watson and his partner Mr. Nelson live with 456 chickens and it's just as wild and crazy as it sounds. The illustrations are nicely paired with the lyrical and fun-to-read narrative, with lots of fun stuff to find/observe on each page. I love how quirky it is and yet contains a nice heartwarming thread that isn't overdone. My kids particularly like the scenes at the market when all the chickens get loose--eventually Mr. Watson and Mr. Nelson find the perfect buyer for their chickens. This nicely resolves the insanity, but as it turns out the duo maybe actually like having the chickens and chaos around. There is so much to enjoy about this unique tale. I especially want to highlight the LGBTQ representation -- I appreciate how the couple and others in the story (e.g. a non-binary cheese seller) are represented as the norm.

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book by Chronicle Book. Opinions are my own.