Tuesday, February 17, 2015

PB14:14 Day 4: Cock-a-doodle-hooooooo!

Here is my book for day 4 of Picture Book 14:14.


Title:  Cock-a-doodle-hooooooo!
Author:  Mick Manning
Illustrator:  Brita granström
Publisher:  Little Tiger Press
Year: 2007
Word count: approx. 500
Top 10 Element: character

What is an owl to do when it is a cold, stormy night and he is alone and lost with no place to go? The owl in this book wanders onto a farm, squeezes through a hole in the side of the shed, and finds a cozy place to sleep. He awakens surrounded by a bunch of hens. The hens would prefer a cockerel (in U.S.= rooster) but give him a try. But owl can't peck, scratch, or cock-a-doodle. The hens aren't happy about this, but "the speckled hen put her bony wings round him. 'I'll teach you how to be a cockerel!" she clucked..."

Now we all know an owl is not anything like a cockerel, but owl does manage to learn a few important things, like guarding the hen house and puffing up his feathers. However, poor owl cannot cock-a-doodle. Every time he tries he just goes "Hoooo!"The hens are not impressed. Owl is not happy either at this point. He is hungry and has had enough of the hens silliness. "I'm an owl, not a fowl! Owls aren't hens. We hoot in the moonlight. We don't peck corn, we catch..."

Owl never gets to finish his rant because a hen suddenly squawks, "RATS!" A rat is in the hen house stealing eggs and eating corn. This is owl's chance to show what an owl can do. He flies into action and becomes the hero.

Everyone is happy and owl has new friends (and a new home) for life. AND...

he even learns to cock-a-doodle-hooooo!

This is a classic example of character. Everything revolves around owl. When he is introduced he is down on his luck. The others want to make him into something he is not. The owl even tries to fit in but he is an owl not a cockerel. In the end, when owl can be himself, he saves the day. Owl is accepted for who he is and everyone lives happily ever after.

Here is the link for today to see Linky with other bloggers posts.

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11 comments:

Christie Wright Wild said...

That IS a great example character. Thanks for sharing.

Manju Howard said...

Great review of Cock-a-doodle-hooooooo! I like that Owl learns it's okay to be himself.

Katie TheLogonauts said...

Great message, and the idea of a cock-a-doodle-hooo just keeps me smiling!

Laura Boffa said...

I haven't heard this one, but it sounds great! I love books with a good 'be true to yourself' theme. And it sound like it's got a cute sense of humor, too!

Laura Boffa said...

I haven't heard of this one, but it sounds great! I always love a good 'be true to yourself' theme, and it sounds like this one's got a sense of humor, too. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

How have I not seen this yet!?! Running out tomorrow!

Damon Dean said...

Okay...I'm SOLD on this one. This is a delightful storyline and the development of character in this story appears to be expertly done. Thanks for sharing this one, Linda.

Linda H. said...

this is my favorite book so far. Without the PB14:14 I probably never would have come across it.

Hannah said...

What a great glimpse into this wonderful book, thank you, Linda!!

janet smart said...

I'm going to look for this one at the library. It sounds like a hoot!

Vivian Kirkfield said...

So many cock-a-doodle books...and each one is cuter than the next!
Great book for the challenge, Linda...thanks for sharing it!