A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 148

Picture Book: Chicken Little

Illustrator: Laura Rader

Summary: “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” These are the dire warnings Chicken Little gives her neighbors who believe her as soon as she claims to have seen it with her own eyes and heard it with her own ears. Then she tells each of them that a piece of the sky hit her tail. Chicken Little and a growing number of neighbors make their way to the king to warn him. Only their wise king investigates Chicken Little’s tail and finds a simple acorn.   

Hanna’s Comments: There are many versions of this traditional tale about poor assumptions, fear laced with panic, the fast pace of ideas, and the wisdom of a king. How might you use this story in a lesson for children? How about as an example of wisdom when talking about one of God’s gifts?  You might use this story when talking about how children might struggle with fear and how their faith (and their intelligence) can counteract such fears. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. This book is a perfect example of a lack of self-control. You could even use this story when your faith community has big changes ahead. For children who have relatively little control, having faith in loving adults and dealing with situations as they come rather than ruminating over worrisome possibilities is always a good strategy. When big changes are ahead, share your personal beliefs that your community leaders will make loving and wise decisions.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Harper Collins, 1998

Age & Grade Appropriateness:  2 and up, toddler and up

# of Pages: 24

Available in Spanish? Yes, in another version of this story

Formats other than Book: There are several videos of this tale though they are different from this picture book.

PBT Category: Traditional

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, action, anxiety/worry, change, disaster, doubt, faith/faithfulness, fear, fruit/fruit of the Spirit, heaven/sky, mistakes, neighbors, safety, self-control, sin, truth, wisdom, witness

Scripture Connections: King Solomon asks for wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-15); fear not, for I am with you (Isaiah 41:10 & Matthew 28:20); fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7); there is not fear in love, perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18)

Idea(s) for Application: Wisdom is an abstract concept that is often difficult for young children to understand. Consider using this book when talking about Solomon’s request that God bless him with wisdom.