Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

We all know the joke. We've all told it. Kids love to tell it over and over and over again, with as many different punch lines as possible. And now we've found out that famous award-winning artists love to tell the joke too-and they have some wacky and downright hilarious ideas about why that chicken really did cross the road.

Mo Willems's chicken confesses his motives to a police officer; David Shannon's chicken can drive a car; Marla Frazee's chicken is looking for a more luxurious coop; and Harry Bliss's chicken encounters aliens. And this is just the beginning. One thing is for sure — you won't cross this book without a good laugh!

"Fourteen picture book creators try their hands on an age-old question in this intermittently funny compendium. Each participant faces the challenge in a full-bleed spread. Some take a wordless approach. Jerry Pinkney pictures an elaborate picnic; a ruffled hen in a bonnet crosses a country lane as a hare checks its pocketwatch and a squirrel and box turtle sip tea around a gingham tablecloth. Chris Sheban anthropomorphizes his chickens less quaintly: baseball-playing birds exchange a glance in regard to a freshly broken window and their escape route. Other artists pair a picture and punch line. Mo Willems, no stranger to birdy humor, imagines cops interrogating a sweaty hen ('I just did it to get to the other side! Honest!'). Harry Bliss demands that readers 'Ask the mutated zombie chickens from Mars!' and shows drooling, bloodshot-eyed leghorns in pursuit of a live one. Lynn Munsinger's straightforward reply ('Because the light said 'walk' ') headlines a commanding scene of city chickens shopping, rollerblading, flapping to work and cackling on cell phones. The best responses, like Munsinger's, include unpredictable details that invite lingering. Otherwise, this is a very fast read, notable more for its guest stars than their contributions (the assembled creators make light remarks in a 'Why did the artist cross the road?' afterword, and the book includes a poster). Few of the entries lay an egg, but no one provides a definitive response — except perhaps Chris Raschka's ink-wash sphinx, who intones, 'You tell me.' Ages 4-up. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"The final pages with quips and comments from the artists are a bonus, along with an invitation for readers to offer their own answers." Children's Literature

"It's not often that one title is filled with such talent and such child appeal. This book will have readers cackling with glee and crowing for more." School Library Journal

"Lots of fun for young children, this collection, which demonstrates the impressive artistic range and talent featured in today's picture books, will also attract older art students and children's book enthusiasts." Booklist

Award-winning artists all have their own wacky and downright hilarious ideas about why that chicken really did cross the road. Includes a free poster.