Philadelphia Chickens [With CD]

by Sandra Boynton

Book Overview

You have to hear it to believe it. And even then, it may take a while.
Grammy nominee. #1 New York Times bestseller. And, with 1 million copies in print, a Recording Industry Association of America Platinum album. What an event! What a show! It's Philadelphia Chickens--the catchy and quirky, tuneful and toe-tapping, exuberant, unexpected, and totally endearing family-musical-in-a-book.

Here is a full-color songbook of 17...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761126368
• ISBN13: 9780761126362
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Workman Publishing
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 1.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 10.2" x 8.1"
• Age Range: 1 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 7

Customer Reviews

Love the book, but....

The listing was "with CD" You guessed it - no CD

Great Book for Preschoolers

I got this book to use with my preschool class and was hoping to get the CD as advertised, but the CD was not in the book. I do like that they have the music written out for each song in the back so I can at least play the tunes and learn them, but I was really looking for the CD because it is so hard to find.

No Cd

While the description mentions the CD, it was not included. And without the CD, the book's useless. This should be a CD with a book, not a book with (without) a CD. One star because there was no CD. 5 stars if the CD had been included.

Incomplete

The book did not include the CD. Useless.

Philadelphia Chickens (with CD)

ISBN 0761146725 - One thing you ought to know, right off the bat: if you're picking this up used, and it doesn't come with the CD, don't bother. This is one case where the book, while cute, isn't much of anything without the CD. Not to belittle the book. It's just that this is an unusual instance. This time, the book is more supplemental to the CD, rather than the more common reverse scenario. This is the soundtrack, complete with a hardcover book of the lyrics and music, of an imaginary musical revue. How weird! For that reason alone, it was worth taking a look at. Once you've popped the CD in and given it a listen, you'll find several reasons to be very happy you did! Scott Bakula sings "Pig Island"! Meryl Streep sings "Nobody Understands Me"! I'm admittedly anti-pop-culture. If someone's famous and everyone in the world knows who they are, I often don't. So I don't know who half of the people on my CD are and... I don't care. What I care about is that the music is fun, the lyrics are amusing and the book is all right. Yes, despite the 5 stars the book is just all right. A good number of the pages seem to exist for filler. The book is in two sections. The first, titled "Look as you listen" is fairly pointless. There's partial lyrics for each song and illustrations that are adorable. For little kids. Who aren't the target audience. I think. The second part, titled "Sing & play along" has complete lyrics and music. For me, the first section is pointless. BUT, because I like this imaginary musical sooo much, I'm not taking anything away for that. Besides, getting more than is strictly necessary is hardly the worst thing that's happened to me this week! - AnnaLovesBooks

Cheers for the Chickens!!

Before I could listen to the rest of the CD that comes with the song book, imaginatively illustrated and presented, a friend of mine practically snatched out of my hands to hear what I'd been raving about. My introduction to "The Philadelphia Chickens" was on the TODAY SHOW (pre-Christmas 2002). I never heard a word about it after the interview so I surmised that the "Chickens" was tossed on a stack with the myriad of books released for the big holiday rush. Being a musician and a collector of Broadway musical scores, I found this to be a "kiddie" musical. The lyrics are clever and sung with integrity. The sound is big and expansive. All the songs are slightly nutty, but have very plausible messages, like the girl who is too short to reach the chocolate chip cookies, and the ardvaark who think's he should be in the "dancing cow line". So far I've bought three copies. And parents! This won't drive you crazy either. In fact, I bet after the tree comes down and the kids return to school, dad will have that CD in his car for a nice chuckle on the way to work. The piano music and lyrics are part of the boook, "Philadelphia Chickens", with fanciful stories and illustrations. It's intelligent, too!! It will make such a welcome, refreshing gift or just an enduring book and CD designed to bring smiles to all. (Or, except as the author says on the cover, "to everyone except those who are 43!")And, speaking from a childhood experience, if your little one is home sick in bed, these songs and stories will make a loving get-well tonic.

A Marvelous Manic Romp.....

It's a dazzling, illustrated book. It's a rollicking musical. It's Sandra Boynton at her very best as she and collaborator, Michael Ford, bring their "imaginary musical revue," Philadelphia Chickens, to life on your stage. Open the book as the curtain goes up, and follow along as you listen to an all-star cast on the accompanying CD. Or meet at the piano to sing and play along, using the words and music in part two of the book. Ms Boynton's clever lyrics are rich in humor and wit, and complemented by her endearing bold, bright and busy, signature animal illustrations. Philadephia Chickens is an exuberant, fun-filled, manic romp that engages and captivates, and "youngsters" from 3 to 93 will revel in all the fun.

Philadelphia Chickens is for everyone!

This music is enjoyed by us all. I dare you to keep your feet still while listening to this great music! Once again Boyton and Ford created a masterpiece!

Very cute!

I think our children and grandchildren will regard Sandra Boynton as we and our parents regard Dr. Seuss. As usual, her stories are adorable. I saw highlights on the today show this morning and had to go buy it today. My daughter's a little young for it (7 months) but her 2 year old friends loved the music. It's a children's CD I like and do not find annoying (such as those by that purple creature). The book is well done. There is a page for each of the songs with an illustration. There is also sheet music and lyrics for each song in the back of the book. I'm sure we'll cherish this one for years to come!