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Chicken Little Investigates, Science Folktales, Lois Wickstrom, Review by Kristin Boutelle, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, Kids, Family

Chicken Little Investigates: a science folktale (Science Folktales)Chicken Little Investigates: a science folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is very good for the little ones. The characters have a lot of curiosity and intend to find out the answer. The characters are very relatable to young children. I love how certain words are more artistic than the regular words. It makes the words more noticeable and very appealing to the eye.

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Chicken Little Investigates (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jennifer Allen

Chicken Little investigatesChicken Little investigates by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lois Wickstrom has done it again. Chicken Little investigates is a very cute tale. Chicken Little and his friends decide to investigate items falling and the sound they make. As they make their way to see the King, they pick up more friends with different sounding items. All that they want is for the king to name the sound for them. If you love cute children’s book, then this is the book for you.

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Chicken Little Investigates (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Emily H

Chicken Little investigatesChicken Little investigates by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chicken Little is out and something hits him in the head. She decides to investigate and with her entourage of friends she meets along the way comes up with a variety of ideas to call what hit her on the head.

Fun little adventure on a classic tale. I liked the illustrations and it had some really funny moments where I think children would laugh out loud.

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Katie Matthews

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a lovely take on the traditional tale Hansel and Gretel. Again as with other books by this author the story was well written, a nice pace and beautifully illustrated. This would be a great addition to read alongside the original tale and see how the two stories differ and how the characters were different in each one.
This was a fun and engaging read and a great story for young children to enjoy!

@katiem
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Chicken Little Investigates (Science Folktales Series Book #1) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Angela Hayes

Chicken Little InvestigatesChicken Little Investigates by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 Stars

 

Chicken Little Investigates is the first book in the Science Folktales series by Lois Wickstrom. It is a cute children’s fantasy story- a reimagining of the classic fairytale, Chicken Little (aka- Henny Penny) with plenty of fun and adventure along the way.
The story has humour, mystery, friendship, investigation, and a little drama to keep things interesting. It introduces children to the concept of gravity but doesn’t go into it or explain any further though, keeping things light and fairytale-esque.
I wish the internal quality of the illustrations matched the quality of the ‘new’ cover picture- as the internal illustrations are a little naïve/simplistic, and ‘bland’. They just don’t grab and hold your attention like the cover image does, and I was left feeling a little let down because of it.

The Science Folktales Series contains (so far):
-Chicken Little (Book #1)
-Huff…Puff…Grind! The Three Little Pigs Get Smart (Book #2)
-Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! The Real Magic of the Beans (Book #3)
-Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Book #4)
-Little Red, the Detective (Book #5)
-Just One More Egg (Book #6)
-The Dwarves’ Dilemma (Book #7)
-Saving the Gingerbread House (Book #8)

So, as you can see, there’s lots to explore in this series- plenty of adventures to take, and things to learn along the way.
Looking forward to more from Ms. Wickstrom.
Happy reading…

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Chicken Little Investigates (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Shelly Kittell

Chicken Little Investigates: a science folktale (Science Folktales)Chicken Little Investigates: a science folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love it! What a fun take on the original story. To investigate the sounds that things make is a really fun way to gain the child’s attention. I found the story entraining and fun. We enjoyed making sound effects with all the noises. I am a large fan of stories that can get the children interacting. Another winner for this author!

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Chicken Little Investigates (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Angela Renee Diaz

Chicken Little investigatesChicken Little investigates by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The characters investigate when things fall and make different noises. Then they go on their way to see the King. On their journey they get mislead but concur through. Then they go back on track in their journey. There the King decides what he is going to call the investigation.

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Chicken Little Investigates (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Julie Johnson

Chicken Little investigatesChicken Little investigates by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“The sky is falling!”

Most of us are familiar with this popular saying by Chicken Little. This great little STEM focused book follows up on that saying with a physics lesson that also includes Turkey Lurky, Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky, and Goosey Loosey. Foxy Woxy will also make an appearance but we all know how sly those foxes can be!

The illustrations are great in this book as well. The words appear to be interactive on the page which makes this one even more fun!

Add this to the list to share with a youngster in your life!

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Chicken Little Investigates (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jennifer Crain

Chicken Little investigatesChicken Little investigates by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Really a darling retelling of the folk tale “Chicken Little.” Attractive illustrations, great use of onomatopoeia and clever twist to the original story.

Younger children will delight in “what happens next.” At the same time, older children could experiment with the gravity experiments and see, if they were king, what they would call the stuff falling from the sky.

Engaging tale all the way around.

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@bookworm1909

Chicken Little Investigates (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jenni Bishop

Chicken Little Investigates: a science folktale (Science Folktales)Chicken Little Investigates: a science folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With a twist on the classic Chicken Little tale, Chicken Little Investigates introduces kids to the world of science and learning has never been as fun. It is a bright and colourful story with humour that makes you laugh.
Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky, Goosey Loosey and Turkey Lurkey all make an appearance and try to outsmart the wily Foxy Woxy.
With lovely illustrations by Francie Mion you can’t go wrong as the story draws in readers and opens their little minds.
Is the sky falling? Well you will have to read it to find out.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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Chicken Little Investigates (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom

🌼 .•°*°•.🌼 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🌼 .•°*°•.🌼
Chicken Little Investigates (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 32
Cover Designer – Ada Konewki

When Chicken Little gets on the head, she thinks the sky is falling until she sees the acorn. With the help of her friend, Henny Penny, Chicken Little does experiments and learns about the power of gravity. On the way to tell the king of this new scientific discovery, they are captured by a sly fox and need to outsmart him before they become his dinner.

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for What Chicken Little Investigates (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of What Chicken Little Investigates (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom

Lois is a former high school chemistry teacher and former head science teacher at Science in the City Summer Camp in Philadelphia. She has also been an adjunct science teacher at University of South Florida. Since retiring, she continues to take science classes. Her class in Forensic Biology led to Little Red, The Detective, in which Red is studying fingerprint identification, so she can tell that “Grandma” isn’t who she says she is.

Lois has taken so many science classes that she believes science is the solution to almost every problem, including the dilemmas in fairy tales. She has invented what she calls Science Folktales. In each science-based tale, the protagonist achieves a better ending than the original because of learning scientific principles. She has turned some of these tales into plays.

She has also created a series of Mermaid Science stories, which make use of water science.

Lois is married to the love of her life. She has two children, four grandchildren and a dog.

Author Interview with Lois Wickstrom

~ FACEBOOK ~ INSTAGRAM ~ BOOKBUB ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ GOODREADS ~ YOUTUBE ~

~ WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ YOUTUBE ~ INSTAGRAMFACEBOOK GROUP ~ TIKTOK ~

 

Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Nakyshia Leger

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an adorable rendition of Hansel and Gretel! The two are traveling with their father through the forest when they hear a strange sound. Curious Gretel investigates the sound, only to get them turned around in the woods. When trying to find their way back to their dad, they come across a beautiful house that smells delicious and is being eaten by animals! When the homeowner catches them, she insists they help her fix the home to win the most beautiful house contest. But is this the witch everyone fears? Can they finish the house on time? Will they find their way back to their dad?

This story captures the audience and draws them in with captivating illustrations. The story is easy to follow and fun for young readers. My son is seven and loves stories by this author. This is a great new telling of the adventures of Hansel and Gretel, perfect for kids to enjoy!

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Sandra (Crandomblog)

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a cute little Hansel and Gretel type story with a twist. It was very cute and I loved that they solved problems along the way. I felt that it covered the importance of thinking for yourself and not going into situations or meeting people with preconceived opinions/judgements. The kids loved this and I appreciated a more happy version of a darker fairy tale. We had a few discussions about this book.

My oldest kid said: I really like the fact the girl wanted to stop and sketch the animals that she saw. I want to do that on our next hike please? I also really liked that the kids helped the old lady fix her house. That was sweet.

My youngest said: I liked that it was a gingerbread house. I think I would want to eat it to. I didn’t know that animals liked gingerbread houses.

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jamie Burns

Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom is a wonderful picture book packed full of wonderful topics to talk to your child about. The first thing that stood out to me is that you should always know your way home- the crumb trail. Another thing that children should be taught is not to wander away from their parents because it is not safe. I love how Wickstrom has created such an outstanding retelling of Hansel and Gretel. The illustrations and storyline works well together, and are entertaining for children.

Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Rachel Moss

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really cute book! I enjoyed the illustrations a lot, they were very colorful, detailed and beautiful! This is kind of like a retelling of Hansel and Gretel, without the bad-ish ending and violence towards children. I think this children’s book had a good theme in not judging books by its cover? Something along those lines anyway. Either this was a cute book for children and I highly recommend it!

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Stephanie Robb

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another excellent book from this author.

I loved this alternative take on Hansel and Gretel, a delightful and happy take on this fairytale.

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Emily H

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hansel and Gretel have heard the rumors about the witch that owns the gingerbread house. While out on an outing they discover the house, but are the rumors true?

This was a different take on the Hansel and Gretel story. Had problem solving skills as well as a couple of lessons along the way. Fun read.

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Anna Hirsch

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom
4 Stars

This is a cute version of the fairytale Hansel and Gretal. As this is a book for children, there are no scary parts like in the real fairytale. As Hansel and Gretal are hiking with their father, he mentions that the witch wants to enter the most beautiful house contest. The children find this really silly. Upon hearing a strange noise, they decide to investigate and get lost in the woods. What happens next is an adventure filled with animals, a witch and of course a gingerbread house. The book is filled with colourful pictures sure to keep your children’s eyes glued to the pages.

Review by @Anna Hirsch
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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Megan Conley

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a cute retelling of Hansel and Gretel. As always, I love how Wickstrom weaves science and storytelling. Hansel and Gretel go out with their dad to have a picnic and along the way Gretel stops to identify and draw birds and other woodland creatures. They cross paths with the “witch” who makes them help her rebuild her house because they, and the animals, have been eating her “prize-winning house.” I do feel like this story ends abruptly and I had to go back a read it a couple of times to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Overall, I enjoyed the story.

Reviewed by @meggs1717

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jennifer Allen

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of my favorite stories when I was younger was that of Hansel and Gretel. This is the retelling of that story, with a nicer version than the original. I enjoyed the concept Lois conveys of helping someone in need. A very quick read with a good message. If you like classic children’s tales with a slight twist, this is the book for you.

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Julie Johnson

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a fun little take on the Hansel and Gretel story. Along with their dad, Hansel and Gretel take a walk into the woods. Dad has taught the kids well to leave a bread crumb trail to find their way back. Dad is telling the kids to be careful of the witch in the woods. They hear a bird and take off looking for it and in the meantime, come across a beautiful gingerbread house. The animals are eating it so the kids decide to try some for themselves. Then the homeowner comes out and puts the kids to work. She’s wanting to win the “most beautiful house” award but it’s becoming impossible with the bricks disappearing.

I’m a huge fan of Lois Wickstrom and her books just don’t disappoint! The illustrations are very vivid and the stories are engaging. Most, if not all, of her books also have some learning component to them as well. These books need to be in every home, daycare, school, library, etc!

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Gabrielle

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a different take on the original Hansel and Gretel fairytale. In this story the brother and sister are on a picnic and get lost. When they come upon a gingerbread house the old lady makes them help her repair the damage that the animals have done to her house.

This is a quick easy read that will keep youngsters engaged. It helps to teach children to make up their own minds and find ways to solve problems without giving up. While this was an interesting story, I would have liked to see more to it. The ending is left open so this is a nice way to get children thinking and imagining. The children in the story are curious and smart making this an easy story to engage little ones with questions and have them give ideas.

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Christine Baranek

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Saving the Gingerbread House
By: Lois Wickstrom

This is such a cute version of Hansel and Gretel. I definitely will be reading it to my students when we get to our fairy tale unit. I love that this has a science spin, just as all Lois Wickstrom books do. It has absolutely adorable pictures to go along with the text. I actually love that this has a such a positive spin on a fairy tale that can have more of a dark spin. I love that Hansel and Gretel work with the witch to restore the house, fixing their mistakes. I definitely recommend this story. Especially when reading the original too. I think it can lead to many conversations between children (or students)! This is one I will be recommending to all of my teaching friends!

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Michelle Mulvey

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a fan of this author and her children’s books she puts out. This one is just as
Good as the others I’ve read. This is a story of Hansel and Gretel and how they helped the witch when all the animals were eating her house she was hoping to win a contest.

review by @xchellex

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tanya Wall, March 2023

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hansel, Gretel and their dad go on a walk through the forest to have a picnic. Gretel loves to draw the wildlife she sees. As they are walking, they ask their dad about the witch that lives in the forest. When Hansel and Gretel go on a walk by themselves they happen upon a gingerbread house and meet the old lady who lives there. She is not happy that Hansel, Gretel and the forest animals have eaten some of her house and make Hansel and Gretel stay to fix the house. The house is in a contest later that she wants to win. Gretel comes up with an idea to lead the animals away from the house and to find her dad. It takes a few tries, but is successful – and guess what?! The old woman wins the contest. The illustrations in the book are cute and it is a great new way to tell the story of Hansel and Gretel.

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Angela Hayes

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

4.5 Stars

 

“I didn’t know a witch could have a pretty house,” said Gretel. “What’s she like?”
“I’ve never met her,” said Dad, “but I’ve heard she has a cauldron where she
makes potions. She kidnaps children and makes them work for her. And maybe
she eats them. So, no matter how pretty her house is, stay away.”

 

Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom is a charming children’s fantasy story with interesting and colourful illustrations, plenty of fun, and adventure. It is an original take on the classic ‘Hansel and Gretel’ fairytale.
This is another quirky story from Ms. Wickstrom’s seemingly limitless imagination. It was both engaging and fun.
Hansel and Gretel set off on a picnic in the woods, but soon get lost. They stumble on a gingerbread house and so their adventure begins.
Looking forward to more from Ms. Wickstrom.
Happy reading…

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jenni Bishop

Saving the Gingerbread House: A Science Folktale (Science Folktales)Saving the Gingerbread House: A Science Folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Saving the Gingerbread House is Lois’s unique version of Hansel and Gretel. Children are going to love this folktale. With bright and colourful pictures the story comes alive as we adventure along to save the Gingerbread House. The story is aimed at children 4 to 8 years old.
There is more going on in the woods that send two curious minds out to explore.
All the witch wanted was to showcase her beautiful house and win the House Beautiful Contest. Does that happen or are her chances destroyed? To find out you will need to follow along on the adventure.
After reading this story the kids (grandbabies) wanted to make their own Gingerbread house and enter into a contest of their own. Of course they both won.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tonya Merritt

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was my second children’s book by Lois and she did not disappoint. She took the classic story of Hansel and Gretel and gave it a polite rewrite. It has many values for children to learn and is very fun and informative at the same time. Maybe it isn’t a witch after all but an elderly woman needing help.

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Carrie Reed

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a cute spin on the story of Hansel and Gretel. The artwork is very eye catching and fun to look at while reading. I like that the witch in the story wasn’t a mean witch or a bad witch, but just a witch who needed help to win the contest. Gretel is sweet wanting to stop and sketch all the animals she sees, it is a good lesson to teach children about different animals when they go out walking, keeping them interested in the world around them.

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Shelly Kittell

saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fun take on Hansel & Gretel. This story has a wonderful twist with it’s environmental take on the story. The animals get to help. The kids learn about problem solving and get to help the old lady save the gingerbread house. It’s a nice friendly story that will be good for teaching and little ones will enjoy reading. This author has done it again. Such fun and entertaining stories.

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