Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Zany fairy tale follows a chicken everyone thinks is magic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
During "Ancient Times," a Shepherd Boy owns a chicken named Gladys, and one day he says to her, "I wish I was beautiful." And then when he grows up, he changes and becomes handsome, and after he sees himself in a traveling merchant's mirror and declares,"Gladys hath granted my wish to be beautiful! 'Tis a magic chicken -- magic, wish-granting chicken," Upon hearing that, a Traveling Merchant merchant trades him him the mirror for GLADYS THE MAGIC CHICKEN. But when the merchant can't sell her, he wishes he was rid of her, and a Long-Beareded Bandit steals her. Then a Brave Swordsman rescues Gladys and takes the thief to the palace of the Purple Pooh-bah, where the Purple Poo-bah grants his wish to be member of the Royal Guard guard and gives the chicken to his daughter, the Learned Princess, who wishes to escape from the palace. When a Fearsome Pirate comes to kidnap her for ransom, she credits Gladys with her freedom. The crazy coincidences just keep coming, until Gladys and the Shepherd Boy (now a handsome man) are reunited and he finds true love with a beautiful, brave woman known as the Lone Rider.
Is It Any Good?
This story of crazy coincidences taken for magic makes a rollicking read-aloud with much silliness, a funny narrator, colorful characters, and Adam Rex's exuberant illustrations. Sit back and enjoy the wacky, lengthy plot of Gladys the Magic Chicken unfolds. There are subtle messages along the way about greed, vanity, and seeing the magic around you. It's a playful take on fairy tales and life in "Ancient Times" that has a modern sensibility of inclusion and women taking control of their own destiny.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes Gladys the Magic Chicken like a fairy tale. Is it the kinds of characters? The language? The setting "in Ancient Times"? What are some of your favorite fairy tales?
Do you think Gladys has magic powers, or that things that happen around her are just coincidences and she has no influence over events?
What makes this story funny? Which picture is the funniest?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Adam Rex
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : November 16, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 3 - 7
- Number of pages : 48
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate