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‘Every bit as good as the best standalone books for emerging readers’ The Chicken Knitters gets a big thumbs up from Madge Eekal Reviews!

Madge Eekal Reviews has just published a glowing review of The Chicken Knitters (published 28 March 2019) a gold band Early Reader by wonderful storyteller Cath Jones:

The Chicken Knitters is a ‘Gold Level’ book in the Early Reading Scheme from Maverick Arts Publishing. I’ve now reviewed a handful of the books from this scheme… and I’ve been impressed by the quality and originality of the stories. However, this is the first time that I’ve singled out one book from this series to review separately. This is because The Chicken Knittersis every bit as good as the best standalone books for emerging readers.

Let’s start with the story itself. I loved everything about this from the slightly silly central premise to the details author, Cath Jones, incorporates. For example, when Lilly finds the barn is locked, she uses the handy knitting needle tucked behind her ear to get in. And, when she sees the chickens shivering, she immediately sets about knitting them some cosy chicken-sized jumpers. Her knitting skills also shape the plot and the climax when nasty Farmer Claw is defeated – yes, you’ve guessed it – by a trap Lilly and her friends have knitted!

While the story is light-hearted and instantly appealing, I also liked the way it subtly raises awareness around the issue of cruelty to battery chickens. The underlying theme about the triumph of good over evil is also always good for this age range.

As this is part of an early reading scheme the language is carefully selected to fit the book’s grading, but this is by no means obvious when reading this book. Instead, the text flows well with lots of interest that keeps the reader wanting to read on. The structure of the book into five distinct chapters is also shaped by the reading scheme but, again, this works well and gives the feel of a real ‘grown up’ book.

The full colour Illustrations by Sean Longcroft are clear, lively and colourful and complement the text well, giving clues to help the child decipher any unfamiliar words and aid their reading.’ 

Thanks, Madge!

You can order a copy of this title here or view all of our Early Readers (including several others by Cath) and download activity packs and audio files here