That Kookoory!

Written by Margaret Walden Froehlich
Illustrated by Marla Frazee
Published in 1995

Why we picked this book:

As a one-year-old, T became very interested in roosters. We looked for pretty much anything with a rooster on it or in it. When I came across a copy of this book at my library's used book sale, I bought it as soon as I noticed the cover. T and I were pleased to find beautiful pictures on each page, a silly rooster, and a lyrical text.

Mom's Review

When Edgerton Fair comes to town, a rooster's excitement attracts a hungry weasel's attention.

Kookory, an anthropomorphized rooster with human friends, is thrilled to visit Edgerton Fair when it visits his seemingly Industrial Revolution-era rural community. His crowing to both animals and humans alike brings him to the notice of a cunning and hungry weasel. The story follows the weasel who follows the rooster who follows the route to the fair. In the predawn hours, the rooster leaves the chicken coop to spur his friends to the fair. As he does so, the predator tracks him, waiting for an opportune moment to attack. When the moment finally arrives, Kookoory's human friends intervene. 

With poetic language and beautiful illustrations, this tale of a brief adventure will entice young children. While some language may pose a challenge for toddlers (T asks, "What is 'with such an appetite'?"), context clues, art, and caregiver explanation render the book enjoyable for young audiences. The illustrations themselves are detailed and colorful, and more realistic than cartoonish. 

This mom's criticism of the book is the premise of a rooster who can talk but is also a part of the food chain. At one point, the weasel says, "Shame to eat such an amusing fellow." Perhaps I am overthinking the construct of the story, but why are characters who can talk to each other eating one another?

Despite my personal difficulty with the pretense of stalking one's talking meal, the language used and the illustrations make this book enjoyable to share with my son. 

Son's Review
(age: 2 years and 11 months)

Mom: Did you like this book?

Son: Yeah

Mom: Was there any part you didn't like?

Son: I didn't like the weasel because it was trying to eat Kookoory.