I'm not a fan of most versions of the text of the Chicken Licken (Chicken Little) story - it's a great message about how a rumor can lead to mass hysteria and then tragedy, but it's seldom effectively presented. And it's not done better here.

However, the costumes and dramatics of the children acting in the pageant (play) are wonderful. This would be a good play for a primary school class to present, as the costumes are simple and there are lots of speaking parts that are easy to master.

And even better is Ormerod's art, and the second story she tells, wordlessly through the details in teh illustrations. Watch the audience closely! ( )