The Trouble With Chickens

OBOB Grades 3-5 2023/24

The first chapter book from picture book superstar Doreen Cronin—an illustrated mystery novel with all her signature wit and humor

It was a hot,sunny day when I met that crazy chicken.
So hot that sometimes I think the whole thing may have been a mirage.
But mirages don't have chicken breath, mister.

J.J. Tully is a former search-and-rescue dog who is trying to enjoy his retirement after years of performing daring missions saving lives. So he’s not terribly impressed when two chicks named Dirt and Sugar (who look like popcorn on legs) and their chicken mom show up demanding his help to track down their missing siblings. Driven by the promise of a cheeseburger, J.J. begins to track down clues. Is Vince the Funnel hiding something? Are there dark forces at work—or is J.J. not smelling the evidence that’s right in front of him?

Bestselling author Doreen Cronin uses her deadpan humor to pitch-perfect effect in her first novel for young readers. Heavily illustrated with black-and-white artwork from new talent Kevin Cornell, this new series is destined to be a classic.