Gwen the Rescue Hen

Kirkus Reviews–

Chickens in a factory farm get an unexpected chance at a better life. Crammed into a tiny cage, with hardly any room to move, Hen longs to stretch her wings and fly. But like the other chickens in the cages that line the pitch-black barn, she is part of an egg farm, so the only flying she can do is in her dreams. Suddenly a roaring sound fills the air ("HOWOOOOH!"). A tornado rips the roof off of the barn ("KABOOM!") and takes Hen's cage swirling with it. When she touches down ("CLONK!"), she is amazed to see a world of color and tasty grass. But there are also new dangers to fear: barking dogs and zooming motorcycles. Luckily she meets Mateo, a tan-skinned, brown-haired boy who has a penchant for chickens. Mateo renames Hen "Gwen" and learns to care for her and her friends, whom he finds and brings home. Readers will happily learn along with Mateo, using the intriguing list of chicken facts appended at the end. Stangl's teardrop-shaped fowl further endear as they peer out from the pages with big eyes and bobbling bodies. With a light touch (and much onomatopoeia), Crawford offers compassion and insight on farm-animal rescues. (Picture book. 4-8)

"In telling these heartwarming tales of resilience, compassion and love, Crawford avoids the more brutal realities of factory farming, showing simply that these farms are extremely unhappy places for such intelligent and emotional beings. She focuses instead on how truly wonderful these overlooked and poorly treated animals are—that they're way more than just bacon and nuggets."—Reynard Loki, Ecowatch

"A gentle first entry into animal rights that will inspire young readers to think critically about the meat we consume and how farm animals are treated."—School Library Journal

"Gwen shows children, and adults that "happily ever after" is a real thing—and making it happen can be as simple as letting chickens live like chickens."—Randy Graham

"I’ve always said there are more reasons to raise backyard chickens than just getting fresh eggs – as good as that reason may be. Three other great reasons – to promote humane food production, to educate children about animals, and to have wonderful family pets – are explored in this delightful children’s book, Gwen the Rescue Hen."–Deb Neyens, Counting My Chickens blog

"Our society has long needed more kid-appropriate, high-quality media that gives them access to pro-animal stories in a compelling, age-appropriate way. Gwen the Rescue Hen does just that, allowing young readers to follow along as this darling chicken goes on the adventure of a lifetime thanks to a sudden twist of fate. Her story safely allows young readers to ask important questions about humans' relationships to animals, and the stunning illustrations allow readers to stay fully engaged. I have no doubt this book will quickly become your kid's favorite nighttime read."–Jasmin Singer, co-host of the "Our Hen House" podcast, Senior Editor of VegNews Magazine

“Do we ever really think much about the chicken, or the egg? We should! Gwen the Rescue Hen asks us to really see chickens  and understand their unique kind of intelligence and their superpowers. Told with humor, insight, and compassion, and beautifully illustrated, Gwen uses her wits to find her way to a new life in which she can be the chicken she was meant to be.”–Brian Kateman, Editor of The Reducetarian Solution and The Reducetarian Cookbook

"Your books, Sprig the Rescue Pig and Gwen the Rescue Hen, are wonderful. Bravo! I can’t wait to see them in every kid’s hands."—Kathy Freston, bestselling author

"The writing was immediately captivating and left me wanting to find out what happened to Gwen."—The Book Horde

"Gwen’s story safely allows young readers to ask important questions about humans' relationships to animals, and the stunning illustrations keep readers fully engaged. I have no doubt this book will quickly become your kid's favorite nighttime read."—Veg News