Auch, Mary Jane. 2005. Chickerella. Ill by Herm and Mary Jane Auch. New York, NY: Holiday House. ISBN 9780823418046
Plot Summary
Chickerella delivers a modern take on the traditional downtrodden servant-wins-the-prince story. The story begins with an endearing dialogue between Chickerella’s father and his beloved daughter, the fashionista Chickerella. He soon marries an evil-plotting hen who brings with her two gaudily dressed and spoiled daughters. The stepmother and stepsisters hastily send Chickeralla’s kind father on a “wild goose chase.” Now that they have Chickerella to themselves, they lock her in the springhouse and force her to sew dresses for them. Left to eat bugs and drink magical water from the floorboards of the coop, Chickerella begins to lay solid glass eggs. For the next few days, Chickerella is frantically preparing her stepsisters’ gowns for the Fowl Ball. As she dreams of going to the ball to see the amazing fashions, her Fairy Goosemother transforms Chickerella and admonishes her to be home by midnight. At the ball, she catches the eyes of the prince, who himself is a fan of fashion. Running down the steps at midnight, Chickerella hastily lays a glass egg, which the prince uses to later find her. This is where the authors surprise us with a twist ending. Instead of marrying the handsome prince, Chickerella and the prince establish their own fashion line…and live happily ever after.
Critical Analysis
Mary Jane Auch puts a modern spin on a children’s classic tale. She humorously created a characature of Cinderella, playfully named Chickerella. But this is no ordinary chick; Chickerella is a fashion-forward and forward-thinking little bird. She is fiercely independent and dreams of all things fashion: “’Who wants to get married?’ Chickerella asked, ‘I just want to see the fancy ball gowns.’” Auch cleverly use the chicken theme to use as a play on words, “Chickerella ran cluck naked all the way home.” She also utilized chicken related objects as major props of the story. For example, the quintessential glass slipper is parodied as a glass egg that Chickerella hastily lays on the ballroom steps. But, what really sets this plot away from the traditional fairytale is the ending, which is a small victory for liberated minds everywhere. Instead of Chickerella marrying the heroic prince, Chickerella and the prince become best friends who discover a mutual love for fashion: “’I’m into eggscessories,’ said the prince.” They decide that happily-ever-after is defined as believing in your dreams and following your passions.
Far from being a mere backdrop, the illustrations are vivid, lively, and could easily be the main attraction of the book. Husband and wife duo Mary Jane and Herm Auch molded clay and wire to form characters that seemingly pop out at the reader. They then went on to design elaborate sets and costumes, complete with ornate beadwork and meticulously placed feathers. It is fitting that the Auchs, who take us on a clever departure from a classic tale, would creatively put a whimsical twist on children’s illustrations as well.
Review Eggscerpts
Publisher’s Weekly: “Photographs of the 3-D Fairy Goosemother, the Fowl Ball and the glass egg clue are worth the price of admission.”
School Library Journal: “This is a pun-filled story for libraries in which fractured fairy tales are popular, and the ending will satisfy children who like ‘eggstravaganzas.’”
Kirkus Review: “Wordplay and visual details will have adult readers laughing aloud, from the ‘Chickenstock’ sandals to the ‘eggstravaganza’ of a fashion show in ‘New Yolks.’”
Connections
*Can be used in the context of art. Art classes can explore the detailed, hand-sewed costumes and create their own Chickerella-inspired costume using beads, sequins, and feathers.
*Can be used as a catalyst to discuss independence and career choices.
*Can be used to compare and contrast traditional fairytales with their modern counterparts.
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