(3) 1-3 Chicken Squad series. Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin. In their fourth mystery-adventure, the four chicken siblings visit a farm for a family reunion and end up searching for missing jelly beans (and learning about the concept of perimeter). Themes of family and belonging are highlighted through the experiences of a lonely owl. Black-and-white illustrations supply clues and emphasize plot details. Another satisfying entry in the chapter book series.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(2) 1-3 Chicken Squad series. Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin. In this fifth misadventure, Sugar digs a storm shelter for a potential weather crisis. The resulting wacky drama parallels real-life political issues as the chickens debate who is welcome to use the shelter. But when a true emergency strikes, the yard's animal inhabitants all bumble through it together. Slapstick humor, a large font, and regular spot art keep this early chapter book series entertaining and accessible.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(2) 1-3 Chicken Squad series. Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin. What is that new structure in the corner of the yard, and who lives there? In their third misadventure (The Chicken Squad; The Case of the Weird Blue Chicken), the goodhearted, demented poultry quartet investigates. Soon the mystery turns into an altruistic, if daft, rescue mission. Cronin is a master of comic misunderstandings, and Gilpin rises admirably to the challenge.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(2) 1-3 Chicken Squad Adventures series. Illustrated by Kevin Cornell. While retired search-and-rescue dog J.J. Tully (The Trouble with Chickens) takes a nap, four of the chicks in his charge investigate "something big and scary in the yard." Pinning down the specifics becomes an arduous--and humorous--task. Large font, short paragraphs, and straightforward sentences combine with expressive, endearing black-and-white illustrations to support new chapter book readers.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2014

(2) 1-3 Chicken Squad series. Illustrated by Kevin Cornell. When chicks Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie (The Chicken Squad) post a flyer advertising their services--finding lost things, fixing broken things, getting clients out of trouble, or bringing trouble to them--a number of mysteries collide. Full-page black-and-white illustrations and spot art escalate the characters' personalities. This early-chapter-book mystery allows new readers the satisfaction of being savvier than its featherbrained characters.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014