Gladys the Magic Chicken

Gladys is a chicken who lives in the mountains with some sheep, a dog, and a shepherd boy. The boy sees his reflection in a puddle. At first, he doesn’t know who it is, but he soon figures it out, and he thinks he is very ugly. He tells Gladys that he wishes he were beautiful. Some years later, a traveling merchant comes upon them. He offers the shepherd boy (who is now a man) a mirror, and when he sees how handsome he has become, he says Gladys is magic and can grant wishes. The merchant trades the mirror for Gladys, and thus begins a journey for Gladys that takes her to many places, including the palace of the Purple Pooh-Bah. Along the way, she seems to work her magic.

Author Adam Rubin has written a very funny story that will have young listeners and those who read to them laughing all the way through. The illustrations by Adam Rex are the perfect complement to the story, with funny characters and backgrounds filled with plenty of delightful details to keep youngsters’ eyes on the pages. This is a real winner.