The Birdy Snatchers

Reviewed by: Bernie Alie - Kennebunk Free Library, Kennebunk, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 14, 2015

Review

Book #3 in the Kung Pow Chicken series.

After being booed offstage from a quiz show, the nefarious Birdbrain is changing smart chickens into zombies in the hopes that he will appear smart by comparison. Before being zapped himself, Uncle Quack had made two Zom-B-Gone helmets that the two brothers, Gordon and Benny, aka Kung Pow Chicken and Egg Drop, wear as protection. Despite his sidekick role, it is Egg Drop who comes up with the plan to defeat Birdbrain, and it is new friend Annie Beakly, aka Beak Girl, who saves the day.

Unfortunately, Annie is kept to a stereotypical female role. Gordon tells her to go home where she will be safer (p. 30), to babysit the zombie-fied Uncle Quack (p. 44), and to hide when battling the zombies (p.65). When she catches the zombie zapper, she tosses it to Gordon rather than using it herself (p. 67).

All characters are chickens, except Benny who is an egg. Gordon wears a superhero costume when in the role of Kung Pow Chicken. Full color art alternates between 1 and 2 page spreads and some comic panels. Speech bubbles add to the comic book flavor. Comments from Benny/Egg Drop add humor and show that he is really the brains behind the operation. Puns are sprinkled throughout the text. Readers new to chapter books will appreciate the clear font and minimal text on each page. Questions testing reading comprehension are given as a "Prove your superhero know-how" quiz on the last page. Although others in the series are stronger titles, children will appreciate the continued humor and use of chicken-related puns.

Overall Book Score: good