Nora's Chicks

From Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan comes a reassuring story about new beginnings and making friends.

Nora and her family have just arrived from Russia and are making a new home on the American frontier. The prairie is very different from the forested hills Nora is used to. Most of all, it’s lonely. Papa has the cows he sings to as he milks them. Baby brother Milo has a dog to follow him wherever he goes. But Nora has no one and nothing to call her own until Papa brings home a dozen chicks and two geese. Nora names each one, and they follow her everywhere — even to church! But what will happen when one of her beloved chicks goes missing?

“Like her novels, MacLachlan's latest picture book is a heartwarmingibut never saccharineitale with an old-fashioned feel. Kirkus This is a lovely, affecting package. Publishers Weekly Brown's beguiling illustrationsisensitive drawings with watercolor washesibring the characters and the rural setting to life in evocative scenes, with the focus sometimes on the landscape, sometimes on the characters. Written mainly in short words and sentences, this sometimes amusing, sometimes tender picture book is a good choice for reading aloud while also being accessible to many independent readers. Booklist This longer picture book fills a need for early elementary historical fiction. School Library Journal The illustrations are done in watercolor and enhance the story by providing more details about the setting, the passage of time, and the period. Library Media Connection Any kid who has experienced loneliness will surely relate to Nora's feelings of heartache, and the simple, understated text keeps the action poignant without tipping over into sentimental melodrama. Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books This beautiful book will charm readers young and old. San Francisco Book Review”

Like her novels, MacLachlan’s latest picture book is a heartwarming—but never saccharine—tale with an old-fashioned feel.
—Kirkus

This is a lovely, affecting package.
—Publishers Weekly

Brown’s beguiling illustrations—sensitive drawings with watercolor washes—bring the characters and the rural setting to life in evocative scenes, with the focus sometimes on the landscape, sometimes on the characters. Written mainly in short words and sentences, this sometimes amusing, sometimes tender picture book is a good choice for reading aloud while also being accessible to many independent readers.
—Booklist

This longer picture book fills a need for early elementary historical fiction.
—School Library Journal

The illustrations are done in watercolor and enhance the story by providing more details about the setting, the passage of time, and the period.
—Library Media Connection

Any kid who has experienced loneliness will surely relate to Nora’s feelings of heartache, and the simple, understated text keeps the action poignant without tipping over into sentimental melodrama.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

This beautiful book will charm readers young and old.
—San Francisco Book Review

Patricia MacLachlan (1938-2022) was the author of the much-loved Sarah, Plain and Tall, for which she received a Newbery Medal. She published many, many books, including Lala Salama, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon; Journey; Skylark; and Cassie Binegar.

Kathryn Brown is the illustrator of numerous books for children, including My Little Grandmother Often Forgets by Reeve Lindbergh and Kisses on the Wind by Lisa Moser. Kathryn Brown lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.

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