 |
Mrs. Hen excitedly welcomed her chicks into the world with names befitting their personalities and appearances. Expecting her firstborn to be a leader and protector, Mother Hen named him George after the nation's first president. Next came Charlotte, a prissy little hen intent on showing off her beautiful, fluffy white feathers. Third in line was a small, yellow chick named Jojo who energetically jumped and twirled around the nest. But Mother Hen's fourth and final chick was quiet and had no obvious beauty, talents, or distinctive personality traits. After much thought, Mrs. Hen lovingly named her last chick Bertha after a favorite aunt. George, Charlotte, and Jojo made fun of Bertha's name and excluded her from their activities, cruelly pecking at her and chasing her away. Saddened but not angry, Bertha grew to appreciate her black-and-white speckled feathers and loud, unique cackle. And one day, Bertha's distinctiveness transformed her into a heroine.
Southwell delivers a heartwarming children's tale reminiscent of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This story powerfully contrasts the cruelty and vanity of the popular with the quiet resilience of the rejected. Young readers will learn several important life lessons. Bertha refuses to reciprocate the abuse of her siblings or respond to their mistreatment with resentment. She also refuses to internalize their negativity. Instead, she chooses to see her differences as beautiful, and she begins each day with uplifting affirmations. This is a poignant example of maintaining a positive self-image despite others' derogatory opinions. In a striking twist of fate, the very trait the other chickens find most distasteful about Bertha is the distinct characteristic that allows her to save their lives. This is a wonderful reminder that differences should be celebrated. Well-written and beautifully illustrated, this children's story has a wealth of depth for readers of all ages.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review