Medio Pollito: A Spanish Tale

August House LittleFolk Series

by Eric A. Kimmel, Valeria Docampo (Illustrator)

Join master storyteller Eric A. Kimmel as he spins his next tale. Medio Pollito was remarkable from the day he was hatched - he had one leg, one eye, one wing, half a comb, and half a beak. Everywhere he went, he would hop-step, hop-step, hop-step . So, of course, he was called Medio Pollito, which means half chick. When Medio Pollito decided to travel to the big city, the barnyard animals didn't think he could make it. "He's only a half chick! He won't even get halfway!" gobbled the turkey. Medio Pollito's mother believed he could do it one step at a time, so off he went. During his journey, Medio Pollito discovered that even though he was a half chick, he had a whole heart, his most remarkable feature of all. Valeria Docampo's vibrant illustrations rendered in acrylic and pencil add to the charm of this Spanish tale about friendship and the origin of weathervanes. An Author's note about the tale's origins is included.

Genres: Picture Books, Folklore, Animals, Childrens, Spain, International, Fairy Tales

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

Eric A. Kimmel is an American author of more than 150 children's books. His works include Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster, and Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

American children's author Eric A. Kimmel and Argentine illustrator Valeria Docampo join forces in this picture-book retelling of a traditional folktale from Spain. Born from a half egg, Medio Pollito is a little half-chicken, with one leg, one wing, one eye and half a comb. Determined to see the king, he sets out one day for Madrid, helping a number of entities - the water, the fire, the wind - along the way. When he gets into trouble in the city, these elements come to his aid, and he eventually finds his purpose as the weathervane atop a grand cathedral...

I have enjoyed many folktale retellings from Kimmel, and Medio Pollito: A Spanish Tale is no exception. The story is rather bizarre, but no more so than many traditional stories, and the eponymous half-chicken makes for an engaging hero. Young readers and listeners will enjoy his journey to Madrid, just as they will be drawn in by Docampo's colorful, humorous artwork. I appreciated the fact that Kimmel included a brief note, although I would have liked to know more about his source. Leaving that aside, this is one I would recommend to young folklore enthusiasts.

[Disa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Medio Pollito, a half chick born with one leg, one eye, one wing, half a comb and half a beak never lost sight of his adventurous self despite the criticism he heard from the other farm animals. One day he decided to venture away from his barnyard home all the way to the city of Madrid after his mother reassured him that he could do anything! Along the way, Medio finds many friends in need and helps them regardless of his important adventure to the king. "Although he was only a half-chick, he had a whole heart." These special friends eventually return the favor when Medio himself is in dire need.

A cute, creative Spanish tale of a selfless Chick who may have looked different from the rest, but still maintained a happy, kind heart, who helped others despite his own personal needs. I would love to read this to my 3rd graders!

Grades: 1st-5th (some vocabulary in Spanish)
Theme: Perseverance, Friendship, Kindness, Acceptance

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chick is born of a half-egg; he is only a half-chick. The barnyard names him Medio Pollito. Medio Pollito wants to see the town of Madrid so he begins an adventure. On the way he loosens some reeds from the bed of the river so that the river can flow easily. He then help a campfire build itself up and assists the wind in getting loose from a tree. When he gets to the city of Madrid, Medio Pollito is caught by a cook and thrown in a cooking pot to make a bowl of chicken soup. But Medio Pollito is not saved by the river water which will not boil him and the campfire which will not burn hot. When the cook throws Medio Pollito out of the kitchen for not becoming chicken soup, the wind helps carry him to the top of a house where he can see the whole city. There he stays, becoming a weather vane.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually enjoy Kimmel's work, especially because he works with different illustrators every time, suiting them to the story. No disappointment here. However, after reading the author's note, I feel that I have to warn you that this is not a traditional tale so much as it is a beyond fractured tale inspired by a tradition. Still a good story, but I'll want to compare it to (at least) the wonderful Alma Flor Ada's version, Medio Pollito/Half Chicken (and maybe others, too).

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

i don't see a kindle version?? that is what i read. love this read ... great illustrations. so fun. loved it. must read. please check out this author ... what a genius ...his picks for illustrators SPOT ON!! well done!!

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this story - I only wish this version had more Spanish words incorporated into the English text.

[Katherine McKenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A different take on the original Spanish Tale. It was enjoyable to read a version where Medio Pollito was helpful instead of rude and selfish.

[Diana Valdivia-Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a half-chicken who wants to travel to Madrid and encounters nature. It takes place in Spain and is a folktale.

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 3 out of 5]

a... perfectly acceptable version of the story, with perfectly acceptable illustrations

[Amy]

Great story for lower elementary as a read alone book when able to read. Fun story about how the chicken got on the wind veins in Madrid. Encourages friendliness and lending a helping hand.

[Christi Nelson]

This story is about a half chicken with one leg, eye, wing, etc. who was brave and ends up as a weathervane on top of a cathedral building.

[Kayla Spires · Rating 5 out of 5]

A softly drawn story of a one-legged chicken who ventures out of his home to face judgment in the world as someone who is different. This theme is good to connect to all kids to teach them to embrace their differences and accept others. The incorporation of rhythm and Spanish would be good to get students to involved and learning new words. The bright warm and natural colors add to the happy resolution.

[Donalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a traditional Spanish folk tale, Medio Pollito/ Half Chick has only one wing, one eye, and one leg. Yearning for adventure, he travels to Madrid to meet the king and rescues water, fire, and wind along the way. His kindness comes back to him when he needs rescuing. An unusual chicken tale that is unfamiliar to many children.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Medio Pollito is a great example of perseverance and determination. Medio Pollito was born with only one wing, one leg, one eye, and half a beak. His name means "half chicken". He was devalued for the way he was born, however, Medio Pollit did not let this discourage him. He ended up pursuing his dreams which turned out greater than he expected.

[Jennifer Nydahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional
Copyright: 2010

This is a sweet story. The author took a totally new spin on this traditional tale. It is about an adventurous, warm, self-sacrificing half chicken who is saved from boiled soup by wind, water and fire.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about a "half-chick" travels to the big city of Madrid to find the king. Along the way he makes friends with water, wind, and fire who end up helping him make his way. Genre- traditional lit. C. 2010

[Rachel Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my new favorites! It is a beautiful and fun retelling of the old Spanish folktale about the half-chick. It teaches a good lesson that must be inferred by the reader. It is also a great book to work on prediction and inferring.

[Joella · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun story! This will be a great new addition to my storytelling collection.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful retelling of an old Spanish fable. Bright humorous illustrations. Author's note explains the differences between his version and the original.