Review - Chicks Rule!

Chicks Rule!
by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
illustrated by Renée Kurilla
Date: 2019
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

All in step with wing in wing... Chicks can conquer anything!

Nerdy Chick has been waiting all day for the Rocket Club meeting. But when she gets there, she finds a disturbing sign tacked to the door: “NO CHICKS ALLOWED!!!” Puzzled, then baffled, then just plain mad, Nerdy Chick sets out to change the rules. Along the way, she meets other chicks who are just like her: passionate and determined. From Soccer Chick to Science Chick and Wordy Chick to Yoga Chick, these chicks aren’t willing to take “NO” for an answer. They rally together, march to the barn at the center of town, and—when they hear “NO” once again—chart their own path forward (or, rather, up, up, and away!). A celebration of girl power and community action, Chicks Rule! is the playful, diverse, victorious anthem chicks everywhere will love.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a cute rhyming picture book about girls fighting to do the things they love to do. Nerdy Chick is so excited to go to the Rocket Club. But when she gets there, she finds a sign that says, "NO CHICKS ALLOWED!!!" She's frustrated... but she soon finds that she's not alone. All the coops and clubs have similar signs; apparently, this is a really sexist farm where chicks aren't allowed to do anything. But, rather than letting the discrimination deter them, the chicks set out to work together to accomplish a goal. They use everyone's talents and collaborate to do something incredible.

The message is lovely (although it's a bit sad that we still need books like this in 2019). The rhymes are entertaining and the meter rolls off the tongue pretty well. The pictures are colourful and fun. I like how all the characters are chicks, but they're so diverse! They're all different colours and wear various styles of clothing. There's even a chick wearing a hijab.

Overall, this is a nice book about girl power, determination, cooperation, and perseverance. Any girl who's ever been excluded from something because of her gender will likely be able to relate.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.57 out of 5