How does one loose feather become five dead chickens? Denmark’s most famous storyteller answers that question with a story of henhouse gossip run amuck. A silly remark by a respectable hen is overheard and passed along the chicken coop grapevine. With each retelling, the innocent comment morphs into an increasingly scandalous tale that concludes with a newspaper report of five self-plucked, love-struck hens pecking each other to death in a shameful battle. Sound grim? It really isn’t.

Translator Mus White manages to retain all of the wry humour from the original Danish text, making Andersen’s playful, tongue-in-cheek approach completely comprehensible. This faithful retelling makes an excellent, dramatic read-aloud, especially for early elementary students who will most appreciate its exaggerated silliness.

Vancouver illustrator Stefan Czernecki gives the Andersen tale (first published in 1852) a bold, contemporary look. Previously translated into picture book form by author/illustrator Janet Stevens as It’s Perfectly True, this version takes a less traditional visual route, thanks to Czernecki’s comic book style: simple lines, panels, and eye-popping colours that are completely in tune with Andersen’s over-the-top plot.

Czernecki’s uncluttered illustrations add new dimension and expression to the story, from his scandalized cartoon fowl down to the smallest touches, like the chicken-scratch newspaper font, or the way he tips his hat to Andersen’s roots by flying the Danish flag in a rooftop scene.

This lesser-known Andersen tale makes its appearance in advance of the worldwide H.C. Andersen Bicentenary celebrations in 2005. Is it good timing? For sure!