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Chicken Sunday
After being initiated into a neighbor's family by a solemn backyard ceremony, a young Russian American girl and her African American brothers' determine to buy their gramma Eula a beautiful Easter hat. But their good intentions are misunderstood, until they discover just the right way to pay for the hat that Eula's had her eye on. A loving family story woven from the author's childhood.
32 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 1992
About the author
Patricia Polacco
93 books1,025 followersPatricia Polacco is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator with around seventy beloved and award-winning books to her credit, including The Keeping Quilt, Pink and Say, The Blessing Cup, Chicken Sunday, and Thank You, Mr. Falker. She resides in Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 329 reviews
February 8, 2017
This picture book by Patricia Polacco is again an absolute gem. Another (autobiographical) story, Chicken Sunday is a glowing and wonderful tale of friendship, understanding, sensitivity, forgiveness, creative craftmanship (and so much more). It is a story to make you smile, to make you cry and to make you feel hungry (and not necessarily for Miss Eula's chicken suppers, but more for the friendship, the love and the easy acceptance of different cultures and religions presented).
I really appreciate how the friendship between the narrator (the author as a child) and Stewart and Winston is shown as something "natural" and beautiful, that it is not made to seem exotic, strange or even all that "remarkable" because it is intercultural and interracial (it is just there, and it is a natural, and beautifully natural thing). I find that sometimes, and perhaps even rather often, books that emphasise the supposed, the so-called exotic and remarkable nature of interracial and intercultural friendships can seem somewhat negative to me personally, because friendship is friendship (or should be), and it really does not matter and should not matter if one's friend is of another culture, religion etc. This is avoided with Chicken Sunday. The friendship between Patricia, Stewart and Winston is just a beautiful friendship, the fact that it is an intercultural and interracial friendship actually makes no difference whatsoever.
This story is, of course, also somewhat of an Easter story, but it is really not primarily a story about Easter, or religion, Chicken Sunday is primarily about friendship (both the friendship between the three children, but also the developing friendship between the children and Mr. Kodinski). And with that salient fact in mind, Chicken Sunday is naturally, also a poignant tale about courage, about being brave and doing the "right thing." The three children did not throw eggs at Mr. Kodinski's shop, but because he thought they did, he now basically believes that they are part of the bigoted bullies who had been hurling eggs (and other forms of abuse) at him. Going back to his store to not only win him over, but to then ask him for a job, took courage (Mr. Kodinski calls it chutzpah). But of course, it is the home-made pysanky eggs that actually win him over, that actually serve as cementing or beginning to cement his friendship with the three children. Mr. Kodsinki is also a born merchant and I really love and appreciate how he (although he does not have the money to hire the narrator and her two friends) finds a way for them to make money. Of course, the best part (for me) still was and is when Mr. Kodinski gives Patricia, Stewart and Winston the special Easter hat for Miss Eula as a present, how the three children are able to keep their money, and also most importantly, how they will now be able to make Miss Eula happy (and thank her for her wonderful and soul-warming chicken suppers), and how Mr. Kodinski is now a friend as well, a good friend who appreciates and likes them. Reading between the lines of Chicken Sunday, you can tell that Miss Eula, while happy about her new Easter hat, is more happy about the thought behind this special gift and the effort the children had to make to obtain it.
The illustrations are again outstanding, and although by themselves, I would not necessarily call them personal favourites, they work wonderfully with the story, the narrative, providing a perfect mirror to and of the text. In fact, the illustrations also go above and beyond the narrative, as two of the illustrations show that Mr. Kodinski is a concentration camp survivor, not only adding to the poignancy of the story itself, but also opening the door for further discussion, especially if reading this book with and to slightly older children. I strongly, no I very strongly recommend Chicken Sunday and I only wish that Patricia Polacco had also included instructions on how to make pysanky eggs in the book, as this could be a perfect class project (and one would not even have to use real eggs, as wooden pysanky eggs would perhaps be an even better project because the "eggs" would last and not spoil).
I really appreciate how the friendship between the narrator (the author as a child) and Stewart and Winston is shown as something "natural" and beautiful, that it is not made to seem exotic, strange or even all that "remarkable" because it is intercultural and interracial (it is just there, and it is a natural, and beautifully natural thing). I find that sometimes, and perhaps even rather often, books that emphasise the supposed, the so-called exotic and remarkable nature of interracial and intercultural friendships can seem somewhat negative to me personally, because friendship is friendship (or should be), and it really does not matter and should not matter if one's friend is of another culture, religion etc. This is avoided with Chicken Sunday. The friendship between Patricia, Stewart and Winston is just a beautiful friendship, the fact that it is an intercultural and interracial friendship actually makes no difference whatsoever.
This story is, of course, also somewhat of an Easter story, but it is really not primarily a story about Easter, or religion, Chicken Sunday is primarily about friendship (both the friendship between the three children, but also the developing friendship between the children and Mr. Kodinski). And with that salient fact in mind, Chicken Sunday is naturally, also a poignant tale about courage, about being brave and doing the "right thing." The three children did not throw eggs at Mr. Kodinski's shop, but because he thought they did, he now basically believes that they are part of the bigoted bullies who had been hurling eggs (and other forms of abuse) at him. Going back to his store to not only win him over, but to then ask him for a job, took courage (Mr. Kodinski calls it chutzpah). But of course, it is the home-made pysanky eggs that actually win him over, that actually serve as cementing or beginning to cement his friendship with the three children. Mr. Kodsinki is also a born merchant and I really love and appreciate how he (although he does not have the money to hire the narrator and her two friends) finds a way for them to make money. Of course, the best part (for me) still was and is when Mr. Kodinski gives Patricia, Stewart and Winston the special Easter hat for Miss Eula as a present, how the three children are able to keep their money, and also most importantly, how they will now be able to make Miss Eula happy (and thank her for her wonderful and soul-warming chicken suppers), and how Mr. Kodinski is now a friend as well, a good friend who appreciates and likes them. Reading between the lines of Chicken Sunday, you can tell that Miss Eula, while happy about her new Easter hat, is more happy about the thought behind this special gift and the effort the children had to make to obtain it.
The illustrations are again outstanding, and although by themselves, I would not necessarily call them personal favourites, they work wonderfully with the story, the narrative, providing a perfect mirror to and of the text. In fact, the illustrations also go above and beyond the narrative, as two of the illustrations show that Mr. Kodinski is a concentration camp survivor, not only adding to the poignancy of the story itself, but also opening the door for further discussion, especially if reading this book with and to slightly older children. I strongly, no I very strongly recommend Chicken Sunday and I only wish that Patricia Polacco had also included instructions on how to make pysanky eggs in the book, as this could be a perfect class project (and one would not even have to use real eggs, as wooden pysanky eggs would perhaps be an even better project because the "eggs" would last and not spoil).
June 16, 2017
This wasn’t one of Polacco’s titles that appealed to me as a vegan, given that I thought chicken on Sundays was what it would be about, and that is part of it. But I was able to dissociate enough to put that part in the background.
The rest of the story is fabulous. Once again, this is a story from Polacco’s childhood. This Russian-Jewish girl and two neighbors who are African-American boys, in a “solemn ceremony” become sister and brothers. The boys’ grandmother is raising them, and now she’s Patricia’s grandmother too. Patricia sometimes goes to church with the three of them, even though their religion is not her religion. Their gramma, Eula May Walker, sang beautifully: “like slow thunder and sweet rain.”
The story revolves around the children trying to save enough money to buy the grandmother an Easter hat she covets every time she sees it in the store window.
The shopkeeper, Mr. Kodinski is, I think, Russian-Jewish too. What happens to bring the three children close to the shopkeeper and then how they get that hat made me cry myself silly.
The illustrations are lovely, and I really liked the decorated eggs.
In the back inside cover of the book is a photo of the “siblings” Patricia, Stewart, and Winston, as adults, but at a much younger age than the author was at the time this book was written.
I love Polacco’s books that have inter-cultural friendships.
Edited to add: Oh my gosh. I'm even more touched. I was so engrossed by this story that I neglected to give proper attention to the outstanding illustrations, and as I noticed in my Goodreads friend Kathryn's review of this book: Yes, the shop owner, Mr. Kodinski, is Russian Jewish, and one illustration shows a concentration camp number on his arm. I reread the book and then I did notice it. Having that depicted makes that scene/part of the story even more powerful and inspiring. Oh, I just love this author!
The rest of the story is fabulous. Once again, this is a story from Polacco’s childhood. This Russian-Jewish girl and two neighbors who are African-American boys, in a “solemn ceremony” become sister and brothers. The boys’ grandmother is raising them, and now she’s Patricia’s grandmother too. Patricia sometimes goes to church with the three of them, even though their religion is not her religion. Their gramma, Eula May Walker, sang beautifully: “like slow thunder and sweet rain.”
The story revolves around the children trying to save enough money to buy the grandmother an Easter hat she covets every time she sees it in the store window.
The shopkeeper, Mr. Kodinski is, I think, Russian-Jewish too. What happens to bring the three children close to the shopkeeper and then how they get that hat made me cry myself silly.
The illustrations are lovely, and I really liked the decorated eggs.
In the back inside cover of the book is a photo of the “siblings” Patricia, Stewart, and Winston, as adults, but at a much younger age than the author was at the time this book was written.
I love Polacco’s books that have inter-cultural friendships.
Edited to add: Oh my gosh. I'm even more touched. I was so engrossed by this story that I neglected to give proper attention to the outstanding illustrations, and as I noticed in my Goodreads friend Kathryn's review of this book: Yes, the shop owner, Mr. Kodinski, is Russian Jewish, and one illustration shows a concentration camp number on his arm. I reread the book and then I did notice it. Having that depicted makes that scene/part of the story even more powerful and inspiring. Oh, I just love this author!
September 24, 2018
Understanding and the things we share in common with others are examined in this wonderful book. A really fine story on how people can become closer if they just take the time to get to know each other better.
November 30, 2014
Title: Chicken Sunday
Author(s) name(s): Patricia Polacco
ISBN (or ASIN): 0-399-22133-6
Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication date: 1992
Format: Hardback
Description: Children’s Picture Book
Polacco has written and illustrated a book that highlights a memorable time of her childhood. The book is dedicated to her best friend Stewart Grinnell Washington, who is a major character in the book.
Polacco (Patricia) moved to Oakland as a young child and the Washington family were neighbors. She would sometimes go to church with Stewart, his brother Winston, and their Grandmother, Miss Eula. While walking to church they would pass a hat shop, owned by Mr. Kodinski. Miss Eula always would want to stop and look at the hats.
On many Sundays after church Patricia would join the family for a fried chicken dinner. One Sunday, during dinner, Miss Eula talked about one of the hats in Mr. Kodinski’s shop, which she thought would make a perfect Easter bonnet for her.
Later, the three kids counted up their money to see if they had enough to buy the hat for Miss Eula. They did not have enough and decided to approach Mr. Kodinski to see if he had any jobs they could do around the shop to earn money. They had a problem when Mr. Kodinski’s shop was vandalized and he thought they were the kid that did it. They were not.
They told Miss Eula what had happened, but, not why they were at the shop. Miss Eula said that they should do something to show Mr. Kodinski that they were not involved. They decided that they would make some pysankey eggs and give them to Mr. Kodinski. Patricia’s mother helped them design and make the eggs.
Mr. Kodinski loved the eggs which he remembered from his homeland. He told the children that he did not have any work for them to do, but, said that they could sell the pysankey eggs in his shop. The eggs were a great success and the sold them all. However, Mr. Kodinski gave the hat they were trying to earn the money for.
It is a great story which covered many social issues. Patricia was white and the Washington family was African-Americans. Mr. Kodinski was Jewish and from Russia. The kids had to learn problem solving in order to get Mr. Kodinski to understand that they were not the kids that egged his shop. The kids had to work together to complete the pysankey eggs. The kids learned to give joy, by giving the hat to Miss Eula.
Great illustrations!!!
Author(s) name(s): Patricia Polacco
ISBN (or ASIN): 0-399-22133-6
Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication date: 1992
Format: Hardback
Description: Children’s Picture Book
Polacco has written and illustrated a book that highlights a memorable time of her childhood. The book is dedicated to her best friend Stewart Grinnell Washington, who is a major character in the book.
Polacco (Patricia) moved to Oakland as a young child and the Washington family were neighbors. She would sometimes go to church with Stewart, his brother Winston, and their Grandmother, Miss Eula. While walking to church they would pass a hat shop, owned by Mr. Kodinski. Miss Eula always would want to stop and look at the hats.
On many Sundays after church Patricia would join the family for a fried chicken dinner. One Sunday, during dinner, Miss Eula talked about one of the hats in Mr. Kodinski’s shop, which she thought would make a perfect Easter bonnet for her.
Later, the three kids counted up their money to see if they had enough to buy the hat for Miss Eula. They did not have enough and decided to approach Mr. Kodinski to see if he had any jobs they could do around the shop to earn money. They had a problem when Mr. Kodinski’s shop was vandalized and he thought they were the kid that did it. They were not.
They told Miss Eula what had happened, but, not why they were at the shop. Miss Eula said that they should do something to show Mr. Kodinski that they were not involved. They decided that they would make some pysankey eggs and give them to Mr. Kodinski. Patricia’s mother helped them design and make the eggs.
Mr. Kodinski loved the eggs which he remembered from his homeland. He told the children that he did not have any work for them to do, but, said that they could sell the pysankey eggs in his shop. The eggs were a great success and the sold them all. However, Mr. Kodinski gave the hat they were trying to earn the money for.
It is a great story which covered many social issues. Patricia was white and the Washington family was African-Americans. Mr. Kodinski was Jewish and from Russia. The kids had to learn problem solving in order to get Mr. Kodinski to understand that they were not the kids that egged his shop. The kids had to work together to complete the pysankey eggs. The kids learned to give joy, by giving the hat to Miss Eula.
Great illustrations!!!
April 9, 2009
Wow! This is a stunning story that brought tears to my eyes. So beautiful and touching. In an understated, gentle way it brings to light the evils of prejudice, the loveliness of kindness, the rewards of entrepreneurship, the joy of selflessness... The sub-story with Mr. Kodinski is so powerful in the subtle way its told--I felt pierced right through when I got to the illustration that reveals the tattooed numbers on his arm (i.e., from a concentration camp) he is handing the children a gift. Children need not necessarily know what this means, but as an adult I was really moved with how this fit into the greater story being told. A stunning tale for Easter, or any day! Highly recommended.
January 18, 2013
What I love so much about Patricia Polacco's works is that her books are mostly based on her real life as a child. Well, her book “Chicken Sunday” is such a book and it shows the multicultural friendship that Patricia has with two African-American boys, Stewart and Winston and the story details the three friends' determination to prove their innocence when a group of rough boys threw eggs at Mr. Kodinski's shop! “Chicken Sunday” is truly one heartwarming book that you should definitely check out!
Amazing! This book is beyond amazing! Patricia Polacco has certainly out done herself in writing this book about the importance of true friendship. What I really loved about Patricia Polacco's writing is how she shows the multicultural relationship between Patricia and Stewart and Winston as Patricia is Jewish-American while Stewart and Winston are African-American and these three friends are clearly inseparable as they treat each other like they are brothers and sister, a type of relationship you would never find in many children's books. I also loved the relationship that Patricia had with Miss Eula as she truly treats Miss Eula like a grandmother, especially after hearing that her babushka (her grandmother) has died some years back and it was truly wonderful seeing the relationship between Miss Eula and Patricia blossom into love. I also loved the fact that when Patricia, Stewart and Winston all got into trouble, they stood by each other no matter how harsh the situation was and that truly showed me how strong their friendship was. Patricia Polacco's illustrations are truly magnificent in this book as all the characters are drawn in a realistic and effective way that has actually made me speechless every time I looked at the images. I loved the way that Patricia Polacco drew the characters' facial expressions as they ranged from sad to surprised expressions that made the book truly amazing to read. My favorite image in this book was of the image of Mr. Kodinski looking at some eggs that Patricia and her friends had brought to him and you can see the intense yet surprised expression on his face and that truly made my heart melt with sympathy for him as I can imagine everything he has gone through when he moved away from his homeland. I also loved how Patricia Polacco gave Mr. Kodinski an old fashioned yet sophisticated look about him as he wears a large black hat, a white shirt, black suspenders and has a shaggy white beard that truly details his personality.
Overall, “Chicken Sunday” is a wonderful experience for children who love reading about multicultural friendships and learning about the true meaning of having a family. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since the length of this book might be a bit too much for smaller children.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
Amazing! This book is beyond amazing! Patricia Polacco has certainly out done herself in writing this book about the importance of true friendship. What I really loved about Patricia Polacco's writing is how she shows the multicultural relationship between Patricia and Stewart and Winston as Patricia is Jewish-American while Stewart and Winston are African-American and these three friends are clearly inseparable as they treat each other like they are brothers and sister, a type of relationship you would never find in many children's books. I also loved the relationship that Patricia had with Miss Eula as she truly treats Miss Eula like a grandmother, especially after hearing that her babushka (her grandmother) has died some years back and it was truly wonderful seeing the relationship between Miss Eula and Patricia blossom into love. I also loved the fact that when Patricia, Stewart and Winston all got into trouble, they stood by each other no matter how harsh the situation was and that truly showed me how strong their friendship was. Patricia Polacco's illustrations are truly magnificent in this book as all the characters are drawn in a realistic and effective way that has actually made me speechless every time I looked at the images. I loved the way that Patricia Polacco drew the characters' facial expressions as they ranged from sad to surprised expressions that made the book truly amazing to read. My favorite image in this book was of the image of Mr. Kodinski looking at some eggs that Patricia and her friends had brought to him and you can see the intense yet surprised expression on his face and that truly made my heart melt with sympathy for him as I can imagine everything he has gone through when he moved away from his homeland. I also loved how Patricia Polacco gave Mr. Kodinski an old fashioned yet sophisticated look about him as he wears a large black hat, a white shirt, black suspenders and has a shaggy white beard that truly details his personality.
Overall, “Chicken Sunday” is a wonderful experience for children who love reading about multicultural friendships and learning about the true meaning of having a family. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since the length of this book might be a bit too much for smaller children.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
May 11, 2016
Three children want to find a way to raise money to buy a gift for their grandmother, but he becomes angry with them due to a misunderstanding.
This is a really sweet story, probably one of my favourites that I've read from this author so far. Plus, I love how accepting the two families are of each other, and how they blend together, given the era you can tell it was probably 'set' in. (This is another one where I'm not sure if it's actually fiction, or another story from the author's own life - several of her books are written in the same style, and make me wonder.)
I think her artistic style is starting to grow on me. One thing I thought neat about her illustrations in this one were all the little touches - on her grandmother's wall and dining-room cupboard, there are actual photographs. On the walls of her own house are Russian religious icons, reflecting her own background. It's always the little details you love picking out in illustrations, and Polacco does a great job of adding them here.
This is a really sweet story, probably one of my favourites that I've read from this author so far. Plus, I love how accepting the two families are of each other, and how they blend together, given the era you can tell it was probably 'set' in. (This is another one where I'm not sure if it's actually fiction, or another story from the author's own life - several of her books are written in the same style, and make me wonder.)
I think her artistic style is starting to grow on me. One thing I thought neat about her illustrations in this one were all the little touches - on her grandmother's wall and dining-room cupboard, there are actual photographs. On the walls of her own house are Russian religious icons, reflecting her own background. It's always the little details you love picking out in illustrations, and Polacco does a great job of adding them here.
July 18, 2016
Patricia Polacco has done it again. She has written such a lovely story, so touching and sincere, that it gave my tear ducts some exercise.
We discovered her books a few years ago and have been reading as many as we can find at our local library.
I love the ethnic diversity and genuine acceptance of this story; color, religion and national origin are not ignored or pushed aside, but they are embraced by the main characters in the story.
I love that the Washington family cared for Patricia as one of their own - it shows how much our neighbors can become part of our family. That's the way it was when I grew up, too, and I think that in much of America, we've lost that connection.
And I really love that this story is a true tale from Ms. Polacco's childhood. The pictures of the Washington family that are incorporated into the illustrations really bring the characters alive.
Overall, this was a very sweet tale and we really enjoyed reading it together.
After reading comments about it on other reviews, I went back and saw the illustration of the tattoo on Mr. Kodinski's arm. I don't remember if we saw it the first time or not, but it's the kind of detail that makes Ms. Polacco's books so wonderful.
His religion and time in a concentration camp are not highlighted here, but it's a layer that adds depth and meaning to the story.
This story was selected as one of the books for the February 2012 - Friendship reads at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
This book was also selected as one of the books for the March 2016- Crafts discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
We discovered her books a few years ago and have been reading as many as we can find at our local library.
I love the ethnic diversity and genuine acceptance of this story; color, religion and national origin are not ignored or pushed aside, but they are embraced by the main characters in the story.
I love that the Washington family cared for Patricia as one of their own - it shows how much our neighbors can become part of our family. That's the way it was when I grew up, too, and I think that in much of America, we've lost that connection.
And I really love that this story is a true tale from Ms. Polacco's childhood. The pictures of the Washington family that are incorporated into the illustrations really bring the characters alive.
Overall, this was a very sweet tale and we really enjoyed reading it together.
After reading comments about it on other reviews, I went back and saw the illustration of the tattoo on Mr. Kodinski's arm. I don't remember if we saw it the first time or not, but it's the kind of detail that makes Ms. Polacco's books so wonderful.
His religion and time in a concentration camp are not highlighted here, but it's a layer that adds depth and meaning to the story.
This story was selected as one of the books for the February 2012 - Friendship reads at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
This book was also selected as one of the books for the March 2016- Crafts discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
October 31, 2012
Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco is a story about three friends who come from different backgrounds, who became a family. In the story, Ms. Eula, takes the three children Stewart, Winston and Patricia in as her grandchildren. The children come different walks of life, Patricia is a European Jew while Stewart and Winston are African American Baptists. In the story, the trio work hard to buy Ms. Eula a nice hat.
Patricia Polacco, based this story off her own life experiences. It is apparent in how humbling the story is.
This book shows that although you may not be connected by blood you can still be family. It also shows that love and families can and do exist beyond color and blood lines. This book also shows that in a family more than one religion could be practiced.
I would definitely have this book in my classroom. This book will teach students that there is no limit to who can be in a family. It also serves as a culture lesson. The book mentions some Jewish terms and practices, which could be nice to add to my classroom.
Patricia Polacco, based this story off her own life experiences. It is apparent in how humbling the story is.
This book shows that although you may not be connected by blood you can still be family. It also shows that love and families can and do exist beyond color and blood lines. This book also shows that in a family more than one religion could be practiced.
I would definitely have this book in my classroom. This book will teach students that there is no limit to who can be in a family. It also serves as a culture lesson. The book mentions some Jewish terms and practices, which could be nice to add to my classroom.
February 24, 2012
Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco is an autobiographical tale of friendship, love, understanding, courage, sensitivity, bravery, wrongful accusation and forgiveness. A young Russian-American girl and her African-American "brothers" determine to buy their "gramma" Eula a beautiful Easter hat she admires. Their good intentions are misunderstood when they are accused of vandalism, until they discover just the right way to pay for the hat.
The text is placed on ample white space. Two memorable sentences for me are: "All I want to do is live my life in peace." and "She had a voice like slow thunder and sweet rain."
Polacco's illustrations tell this story effectively and beautifully. Starting with the title page and verso the illustrations portray the Baptist church and Sunday dinner experiences of this multicultural trio of friends. Chicken Sunday's powerful story and images will pull at the heartstrings. My favorite images include title page, hats in store window, chicken dinner, wongfully accused, painting pysanky eggs, tea, tears, and solo.
Chicken Sunday features effective storytelling and emotive images. The twice shown blue numbers on Mr. Kodinski's arm, signifying his time in a concentration camp, only add to the emotions triggered by this story. This tale is highly recommended for school and public library collections.
For grades 2 to 5, diversity, family-structures, differences, Easter, friendship, multicultural, prejudice, history, wrongful accusation, love, working together, selflessness, community, and fans of Patricia Polacco.
The text is placed on ample white space. Two memorable sentences for me are: "All I want to do is live my life in peace." and "She had a voice like slow thunder and sweet rain."
Polacco's illustrations tell this story effectively and beautifully. Starting with the title page and verso the illustrations portray the Baptist church and Sunday dinner experiences of this multicultural trio of friends. Chicken Sunday's powerful story and images will pull at the heartstrings. My favorite images include title page, hats in store window, chicken dinner, wongfully accused, painting pysanky eggs, tea, tears, and solo.
Chicken Sunday features effective storytelling and emotive images. The twice shown blue numbers on Mr. Kodinski's arm, signifying his time in a concentration camp, only add to the emotions triggered by this story. This tale is highly recommended for school and public library collections.
For grades 2 to 5, diversity, family-structures, differences, Easter, friendship, multicultural, prejudice, history, wrongful accusation, love, working together, selflessness, community, and fans of Patricia Polacco.
February 24, 2016
After a recent reunion with a family who was so kind to me when I was young, this book resonated in a timely manner, and affirmed the fact that people can make a difference in our lives.
When a young Russian girl befriends African American brothers in her neighborhood, they vow to treat each other as family.
Visiting every Sunday, Patricia loves the chicken Sunday dinners after church. She grows to thrive in the family, and together she and her family of brothers vow to find a way to purchase a hat that Grandmother Eula would love to possess for Easter.
Misunderstood by the owner of the hat shop who sterotypes them and their intentions, they vow to show they are well intended. When the shop keeper opens his heart and his store to the young group, they sell hand- made artistic Russian eggs in his store as a way to buy the bonnet.
So impressed with the love the children have for their beloved Grandmother, he boxes the hat and gives it to them for free.
When a young Russian girl befriends African American brothers in her neighborhood, they vow to treat each other as family.
Visiting every Sunday, Patricia loves the chicken Sunday dinners after church. She grows to thrive in the family, and together she and her family of brothers vow to find a way to purchase a hat that Grandmother Eula would love to possess for Easter.
Misunderstood by the owner of the hat shop who sterotypes them and their intentions, they vow to show they are well intended. When the shop keeper opens his heart and his store to the young group, they sell hand- made artistic Russian eggs in his store as a way to buy the bonnet.
So impressed with the love the children have for their beloved Grandmother, he boxes the hat and gives it to them for free.
March 2, 2013
Not only is this a perfect book for upcoming Easter, I think it is one of Polacco's best. If the illustrations of Miss Eula Mae in her Easter bonnet (and the story behind it), don't form two deep wells of tears in your eyes by the end. . . well, you're not fit for one of her famous chicken dinners.
September 24, 2011
Chicken Sunday is a tender story about understanding others and making other happy by doing nice things for them. Patricia and her two neighbors Stewart and Winston often spent Sundays together. They would walk to church together, and have fried chicken for dinner. Stewart and Winston's gramma always admired a certain hat on their walk to church. The kids didn't have enough money to buy hat but were determined to work for it. On their way to strike a deal with the hat make they are accused of throwing eggs at the mans door. They tried to tell him they were innocent but he didn't listen. The kids think of a way to show the old man they are good kids. Patricia teaches the boys how to make pysanky eggs. The next day they bring him the eggs they make. He is so touched they sit down to talk. Instead of letting them work in his store he lets them sell their eggs. They make enough money to buy the hat. Before they can purchase the hat Mr. Kodinski gives them what they want. They give the hat to their gramma for Easter is touched by the kindness.
I enjoyed this story. From the pictures you can see the different cultures these young friends come from. Instead of being scared of differences they open their culture and customs up to each other. As they do this they are able to understand each other better.
When the kids are talking with Mr. Kodinski you can see a number tattooed on his left arm. He came from Russia so I guessed he was in some kind of concentration camp. The story never commented on it. The gramma said he had a hard live. Mr. Kodinski yelled he just wanted to live his life in peace. The text from the book said he told them of his life and they told him about their life. I wonder if he told them about the concentration camps or if Patricia learned that later on.
I enjoyed this story. From the pictures you can see the different cultures these young friends come from. Instead of being scared of differences they open their culture and customs up to each other. As they do this they are able to understand each other better.
When the kids are talking with Mr. Kodinski you can see a number tattooed on his left arm. He came from Russia so I guessed he was in some kind of concentration camp. The story never commented on it. The gramma said he had a hard live. Mr. Kodinski yelled he just wanted to live his life in peace. The text from the book said he told them of his life and they told him about their life. I wonder if he told them about the concentration camps or if Patricia learned that later on.
February 12, 2012
Another incredible story inspired by Polacco's childhood.
Patricia Polacco spent many Sundays with her neighborhood friends and their grandmother, Miss Eula. They would attend church service, glance in the shops on the way home, and then eat a big fried chicken dinner. The children saw Miss Eula admiring a lovely pink Easter hat in Mr. Kodinski's shop and they decided they would do odd jobs to earn enough money to buy her the hat. They were going to ask Mr. Kodinski if he had any odd jobs when a group of older boys tarnish their reputation. These are good children, so they don't let anything stand their way and the win the heart of Mr. Kodinski and he rewards them with the hat.
What I love the most amount of this story is the intersecting of cultures. Mr. Kodinski is a Jewish holocaust survivor (identification numbers can be found on his arm to indicate that he was in a concentration camp), Miss Eula and her boys are African-American Baptists, and Polacco's heritage is tied to the Ukraine and Russia. The characters in this book were able to appreciate and love each other despite their culture differences---this is a message that needs to be shouted from the rooftops. Great book to share with others, especially at Easter time.
Patricia Polacco spent many Sundays with her neighborhood friends and their grandmother, Miss Eula. They would attend church service, glance in the shops on the way home, and then eat a big fried chicken dinner. The children saw Miss Eula admiring a lovely pink Easter hat in Mr. Kodinski's shop and they decided they would do odd jobs to earn enough money to buy her the hat. They were going to ask Mr. Kodinski if he had any odd jobs when a group of older boys tarnish their reputation. These are good children, so they don't let anything stand their way and the win the heart of Mr. Kodinski and he rewards them with the hat.
What I love the most amount of this story is the intersecting of cultures. Mr. Kodinski is a Jewish holocaust survivor (identification numbers can be found on his arm to indicate that he was in a concentration camp), Miss Eula and her boys are African-American Baptists, and Polacco's heritage is tied to the Ukraine and Russia. The characters in this book were able to appreciate and love each other despite their culture differences---this is a message that needs to be shouted from the rooftops. Great book to share with others, especially at Easter time.
April 8, 2019
Patricia Polacco does it again in this lovely tale of three best friends who, despite differences in race, religion and gender, considered themselves family. When Stewart and Winston's Gramma Eula Mae - who stood in the position of a "babushka" to Russian-Jewish Trisha as well - admired a hat in Mr. Kodinski's shop, the three children were determined to get it for her, as an Easter gift. But an incident involving some eggs and some older boys had Mr. Kodinski convinced that they were hateful young vandals. How could they convince him otherwise, while also earning the money necessary to get Miss Eula her hat...?
Chickens Sundays - so named because of the delicious Sunday meals Miss Eula Mae would prepare for the children, after church - had me sniffling at the end, which, given that this is Patricia Polacco, probably shouldn't come as a surprise. The characters - from Miss Eula, who sang "like slow thunder and sweet rain"," to Mr. Kodinski, whose tattooed forearm hinted at an explanation for his initial distrust of the children - felt completely real, which, of course, they were. This is, after all - like so many of the author's other books - a story based on Polacco's own childhood, making it all the more moving.
Chickens Sundays - so named because of the delicious Sunday meals Miss Eula Mae would prepare for the children, after church - had me sniffling at the end, which, given that this is Patricia Polacco, probably shouldn't come as a surprise. The characters - from Miss Eula, who sang "like slow thunder and sweet rain"," to Mr. Kodinski, whose tattooed forearm hinted at an explanation for his initial distrust of the children - felt completely real, which, of course, they were. This is, after all - like so many of the author's other books - a story based on Polacco's own childhood, making it all the more moving.
February 27, 2009
Genre- Picture Book
Reading Level- K-5
Topic and Themes- Wrongful accusation, working together, friendship and love
Curricula use- Read Aloud
Social- Diversity
Literary Elements- A group of diverse friends are wrongfully accused of stealing. They work together to clear their names.
Text and Pictures- Text and pictures go together to tell the story. Beautiful colors
Summary- "Chicken Sunday" by Patricia Polacco. Patricia's maternal grandparents are from Russia and her paternal grandparents are from Ireland. That is some background of the author. The story of "Chicken Sunday" is about a group of friends (that are racially diverse) who are wrongfully accused of doing something that they did not do. They work together to prove their innocence. The story includes a combination of Russian, African American and Eurocentric characters. "Chicken Sunday" is a heartwarming story of friendship. This would make an excellent read aloud book. Appropriate for ages K-5. Willis states that there is more need for diverse literature in the classroom (Willis, 1995).
Reading Level- K-5
Topic and Themes- Wrongful accusation, working together, friendship and love
Curricula use- Read Aloud
Social- Diversity
Literary Elements- A group of diverse friends are wrongfully accused of stealing. They work together to clear their names.
Text and Pictures- Text and pictures go together to tell the story. Beautiful colors
Summary- "Chicken Sunday" by Patricia Polacco. Patricia's maternal grandparents are from Russia and her paternal grandparents are from Ireland. That is some background of the author. The story of "Chicken Sunday" is about a group of friends (that are racially diverse) who are wrongfully accused of doing something that they did not do. They work together to prove their innocence. The story includes a combination of Russian, African American and Eurocentric characters. "Chicken Sunday" is a heartwarming story of friendship. This would make an excellent read aloud book. Appropriate for ages K-5. Willis states that there is more need for diverse literature in the classroom (Willis, 1995).
March 5, 2016
Not only do I love Chicken Sunday for the simple beauty of the language; the artwork, too, makes this one not to miss. I especially loved the photos displayed in the background of the artwork and the religious icons placed throughout Miss Eula's home. I also love how even though her grandmother passed away, she is still somehow very much alive on the pages of her books. For those of us who are devoted readers of all things Polacco, it would make an interesting aside, a sort of "Where's Waldo" kind of assignment, for students: How is Patricia's beloved Bubby present, or not present but still somehow mentioned?
*One of my favorite Polacco books. Reread this one today, noticing the tattoo on the Mr. Kodinski's arm. I'm not sure how I missed it, but it is an excellent argument for the reason we reread.
*One of my favorite Polacco books. Reread this one today, noticing the tattoo on the Mr. Kodinski's arm. I'm not sure how I missed it, but it is an excellent argument for the reason we reread.
December 5, 2014
After the narrator's beloved grandmother dies, the grandmother of two of her friends takes her in and treats her like one of her own grandchildren, sharing food, music, and fellowship with her. All three attend church with Miss Eula where she sings in the choir. When her boys, Stewart and Winston, and the narrator notice how much she longs for a beautiful hat in a store window, they plan to buy it for her. But before they can earn enough money for it, they are accused by the storekeeper, Mr. Kodinski, of playing pranks on him. After seeing the beautiful Ukrainian eggs the youngsters paint, he realizes that they are blameless, and the much-wanted hat becomes his gift to Miss Eula. Young readers will delight in the facial expressions, the beams of delight on the children's faces, and the joy in simple pleasures depicted here in the exquisite drawings. Close observers will certainly note the concentration camp number tattooed on Mr. Kodinski's arm and Miss Eula's admonition that he had already suffered a great deal, a gentle reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust. Perfect for sharing and discussing how families can come in different shapes and sizes as well as the need sometimes to prove ourselves to others, this is another memorable picture book drawn from the author/illustrator's treasure trove of family stories. It's just as fresh and appealing as when it was first published years ago.
October 25, 2018
This is such a touching, beautiful story taken right out of the author's life.
The little girl in the story was close friends with her neighbours, and especially since her own grandmother died she felt that their gramma, Miss Eula, was now hers, too. She'd go to church with the family and loved to hear Miss Eula sing in her rich voice. On their way, they'd always stop in front of Mr. Kodinski's hat shop that had wonderful hats. The three children wanted to buy their gramma the hat they knew she would love to have, so they started saving up their coins. Easter was coming and they wanted to surprise their gramma with that hat, but they didn't have enough money.
They decided to ask Mr. Kodinski for odd jobs to earn the rest of the money. Going down the back alley to the hat shop they saw bigger boys yelling and throwing eggs at the shop door. Mr. Kodinski rushed out and didn't see the boys running away, but he did see the three children there to talk to him. They were blamed for the vandalism. They couldn't tell Miss Eula why there were there and spoil their secret, so they just stood and cried. She told them they had to prove to Mr. Kodinski they are good people.
The children came up with a fabulous plan that worked even better than they expected.
The little girl in the story was close friends with her neighbours, and especially since her own grandmother died she felt that their gramma, Miss Eula, was now hers, too. She'd go to church with the family and loved to hear Miss Eula sing in her rich voice. On their way, they'd always stop in front of Mr. Kodinski's hat shop that had wonderful hats. The three children wanted to buy their gramma the hat they knew she would love to have, so they started saving up their coins. Easter was coming and they wanted to surprise their gramma with that hat, but they didn't have enough money.
They decided to ask Mr. Kodinski for odd jobs to earn the rest of the money. Going down the back alley to the hat shop they saw bigger boys yelling and throwing eggs at the shop door. Mr. Kodinski rushed out and didn't see the boys running away, but he did see the three children there to talk to him. They were blamed for the vandalism. They couldn't tell Miss Eula why there were there and spoil their secret, so they just stood and cried. She told them they had to prove to Mr. Kodinski they are good people.
The children came up with a fabulous plan that worked even better than they expected.
May 11, 2017
A children's story of tolerance and reaching out.
My Take
This was so sweet. A loving gramma who opened her heart and home and encouraged the children to open theirs. A hatmaker who was open to truths and his own heart of gold.
The Story
Stewart and Winston are brothers to a little red-haired Russian girl and they happily share their gramma, Eula Mae Walker, with her. Sometimes on Sundays she would go to the Baptist church with them and follow it with a fried chicken dinner.
They love Gramma so much that the threesome decides to find a way to let her know how much they love her and this is where the gist of the story lies.
The Cover
The cover has a white background with the children's clothes sketched in outline form and their faces and hair done in pastels. Gramma is in full color in her softly vibrant pink dress and framed by the loving children.
The title is accurate as most Sundays are a Chicken Sunday. Dang, I'm getting hungry just thinking about that chicken!
My Take
This was so sweet. A loving gramma who opened her heart and home and encouraged the children to open theirs. A hatmaker who was open to truths and his own heart of gold.
The Story
Stewart and Winston are brothers to a little red-haired Russian girl and they happily share their gramma, Eula Mae Walker, with her. Sometimes on Sundays she would go to the Baptist church with them and follow it with a fried chicken dinner.
They love Gramma so much that the threesome decides to find a way to let her know how much they love her and this is where the gist of the story lies.
The Cover
The cover has a white background with the children's clothes sketched in outline form and their faces and hair done in pastels. Gramma is in full color in her softly vibrant pink dress and framed by the loving children.
The title is accurate as most Sundays are a Chicken Sunday. Dang, I'm getting hungry just thinking about that chicken!
February 21, 2010
What a lovely, sweet read of love, caring and friendship. Reminds me of a part of my childhood and my Aunt Jessie and Uncle Claude's yummy fried chicken Sundays where they always made enough for drop in Sunday visits from a lonely single mom and her shy little daughter.
Loved the reference to Eula Mae Walker's voice, "She had a voice like slow thunder and sweet rain."
Loved the reference to Eula Mae Walker's voice, "She had a voice like slow thunder and sweet rain."
Read
April 5, 2011This book reminds me of my family in so many ways. We have a blended family but one would never know it if it wasnt for the deviation in skin tones. I love this story because of the family unit involved. Polacco's illustrations are always beautiful and this book is no different. I would share this book with my students and have them tell about their own "chicken sundays".
January 22, 2008
A great story of children who did something nice for another person out of love! In the process, they learn to look more deeply at those around them rather than judge prematurely!
January 30, 2008
I love all of Patricia Polacco's work but this book is my favorite.
February 7, 2008
Patricia Pollacco is one of my very favorite authors. She really touches some unique subject matter and has a lot of depth to her books! They are great for discussions!
May 2, 2010
Title: Chicken Sunday
Author: Patricia Polacco
Illustrator: Edward Miller
Publisher: Penguin Group
Year of Publication: 1998
Grade level: 3-6
Genre: Picture Book
Topic: Traditions; eggs
Summary: A young girl is such good friends with the neighbor boys. They are like her brothers, and their grandma like her grandma. She sometimes goes to church with them and then to their grandma’s for fried chicken (“chicken Sundays”). One Sunday on the way home from church, they see Eula Mae (grandma) admiring a bonnet in the hat shop and secretly plan to get it for her. When they get to the back door of the shop, the older boys throw eggs and run; the shop owner comes out and blames them. He calls their grandma, but they cannot tell her why they were at the shop. She tells them to show the shop they are good children. With the help of her mother, the girl shows the boys how to make eggs from the old country with beeswax, a candle, and dye. They take the beautiful eggs to the hat shop and befriend the shop owner. He sells the eggs for them and earns enough money for the Easter bonnet, but he will not take their money and wraps up the bonnet for Miss Eula. She loves the bonnet and is proud of the children.
Interactions Between Text and Illustrations: The beautiful images support the text of the story.
Curricular Uses: Reading aloud or independent reading
Literary Elements: Plot
Author: Patricia Polacco
Illustrator: Edward Miller
Publisher: Penguin Group
Year of Publication: 1998
Grade level: 3-6
Genre: Picture Book
Topic: Traditions; eggs
Summary: A young girl is such good friends with the neighbor boys. They are like her brothers, and their grandma like her grandma. She sometimes goes to church with them and then to their grandma’s for fried chicken (“chicken Sundays”). One Sunday on the way home from church, they see Eula Mae (grandma) admiring a bonnet in the hat shop and secretly plan to get it for her. When they get to the back door of the shop, the older boys throw eggs and run; the shop owner comes out and blames them. He calls their grandma, but they cannot tell her why they were at the shop. She tells them to show the shop they are good children. With the help of her mother, the girl shows the boys how to make eggs from the old country with beeswax, a candle, and dye. They take the beautiful eggs to the hat shop and befriend the shop owner. He sells the eggs for them and earns enough money for the Easter bonnet, but he will not take their money and wraps up the bonnet for Miss Eula. She loves the bonnet and is proud of the children.
Interactions Between Text and Illustrations: The beautiful images support the text of the story.
Curricular Uses: Reading aloud or independent reading
Literary Elements: Plot
October 25, 2017
Chicken Sunday is a realistic fiction that is engaging and fun for children. It is age appropriate and can be understood easily, however the book is a bit longer in length so it might be difficult for a young reader to finish in one setting. This book includes a rich, thick plot and utilizes language that are appropriate for the children's ages and interest. The book has realistic characters that are very relatable for children. The illustrations of this book are accurate in terms of setting, plot, and characters and correspond to the text well. The characters represent a variety of cultural groups, because of this the reader is given insight on multiple perspective and values. The life style of the characters are genuine and complex and there are no negative stereotypes against the represent cultural group. The author is apart of the represented group and did a great job of displaying that group in this book.
February 13, 2012
I love Patricia Polacco's work. She is one of my favorite authors, and this book is another gem. This is the true story of her friendship with Steward and Winston and their grandma Eula. The three really want to buy a special hat for Eula for Easter Sunday, but they don't have enough money. When they bravely ask the storeowner of the hat store if they can work for him, he says he can't give them work but then offers and idea of how they might earn money. These three are brave, caring, honest, hard-working, and are true friends. I love the details in the illustrations...the gorgeous eggs, the real photographs in the background, the added information you gain about Mr. Kodinski. Another winner by Polacco.
April 22, 2019
An instant favorite of my son to read on Easter for our family!
This is a wonderful story of the author, Patricia Polacco - a young Russian who befriends two African American boys - Stewart and Winston, and her frequent visits on Sundays with their gramma, Eula Mae Walker. A great story of friendship, honesty, and trust.
This book reminds us the importance of kindness to one another. My son, Noah really enjoyed reading this for us yesterday.
Like Ellen DeGeneres keeps saying:
This is a wonderful story of the author, Patricia Polacco - a young Russian who befriends two African American boys - Stewart and Winston, and her frequent visits on Sundays with their gramma, Eula Mae Walker. A great story of friendship, honesty, and trust.
This book reminds us the importance of kindness to one another. My son, Noah really enjoyed reading this for us yesterday.
Like Ellen DeGeneres keeps saying:
September 10, 2017
This was a great story of life lessons and learning the right way to make amends. Three children want to buy their gramma Eula a special Easter bonnet for Easter from a local hat maker. The kids realize they need to make money to purchase it. Unfortunately they are falsely accused of throwing eggs at the door of the hatmaker's business. Down on their luck, the children realize they must come up with a way to make amends and earn money for the bonnet. They come up with painting some beautifully designed eggs to present to the store owner. This gesture is enough to forgive their wrong and secure them the bonnet for their gramma Eula, just in time for Easter.
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