Spencer the Spring Chicken and Other Stories Malinda Mitchell AuthorHouse ISBN: 1-4259-3542-9 Children’s Anthology Reviewed by Dr. Tami Brady

Spencer the Spring Chicken and Other Stories introduces the reader to the author’s animal friends. This anthology is separated into four sections with four different sets of characters. The first section about Spencer the Rooster contains a number of Spenser’s adventures.

The first story in this section shares with us how Spencer the Rooster became known as the Spring Chicken. After a little accident with his wing, Spencer got a brilliant (and hilarious) idea to put springs on his feet to help him get around until his wings healed. This mode of travel is later used quite ingeniously by Spencer to hunt for food for his adopted children. The family later uses the springs to travel a great distance to Red Bird Valley so that the little ones can search for their father.

The rest of the sections in this anthology include single stories. One about Silly the Earthworm whose invention saves his community. Another is about Willie Chipmunk who meets Herman Airplane. Willie is extremely shy but finds a friend in Herman. Herman, on the other hand, needs help letting his boy know that he loves him. The final tale is about Whistles the Oak Tree. This tree whistles whenever someone is in need but seldom talks.

Each of the stories within Spencer the Spring Chicken and Other Stories use a magical combination of humor, likeable characters, and life lessons to teach while entertaining. These are great stories to share with little ones right up to middle grades.

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