'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Saturday 27 April 2013

Review: Chook Chook: Mei's Secret Pets

When Mei’s father dies, her mother clears the family farm of all animals due to her owns fear and grief. Mei misses her father terribly and the time they spent together tending the animals.

One day, two tiny chicks wander into Mei’s yard and she decides to keep them. Joy returns to her world as she dances with her new pets, but Mei is f fearful that her mother will find out. Mei hides the chickens, feeding them and tending their needs as they grow, but their existence is bound to be discovered.
Chook Chook is an easy read that hooks your heart and keeps you turning the page to find out what will happen next. Mei faces terrible situations and uses every bit of her ingenuity to try and keep her pets. Will she succeed or will the overwhelming sadness of losing a husband blind Mei’s mother from the benefits of keeping chooks?

This little tale explores grief and love and the joy of having a pet in the simplest of words. The economic struggles that families face when a parent dies, friendship, bravery and the power of generosity to change hearts are also strong underlying themes.

Chook Chook is an absolute treasure. Wai Chim’s simple wording belies the gentle wisdom through which she shares deep truths with the young.

Title: Chook Chook
Author: Wai Chim
Illustrator: Aileen Lord
Publisher: UQP, $14.95 RRP
Publication Date: August 2012
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780702249464
For ages: 7+
Type: Junior fiction