School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-Maintaining a can-do attitude goes far in helping one determined chick reach his goals. Peepsqueak hatches (already dressed in a bright red T-shirt with P.S. emblazoned on it) and is immediately "on the move!" The plump yellow chick has an ambition: he wants to fly. HIGH! But, possessing wings is not a guarantee of flight. The baby chicken jumps off a wall, a rock, and a windowsill, among other objects, and tries in vain to take flight. He has his detractors along the way but it takes a lot to dampen his spirits. Old Gray Goose observes his plight and offers to assist the youngster in obtaining his desire, taking him "up, up, up above the farm and the wall and the hill and the rock." Peepsqueak's former naysayers all celebrate his victory but they are dismayed again as he runs toward the pond with another goal in mind. Sweet illustrations in ink and Photoshop are clear and bright. Young children will enjoy hearing about a "never-say-never" chick and perusing the charming pictures of him and his almost-always-present mouse companion.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Preschoolers will identify with the indomitable hero of this story about a little chick who refuses to give up. The other chicks on the farm crack out of their eggs yawning, "But not Peepsqueak! Because why? He was on the move!" That phrase becomes an anthem for Peepsqueak as he tries to jump "up, Up, UP," off of various launching pads (a stone wall, a totem pole of chicks), then falls "down, Down, DOWN." The other farm animals kindly suggest that chickens can't fly (" 'Don't even try!' mooed Big Brown Cow. 'You can't fly high!' ") but Peepsqueak is determined. Eventually, Old Gray Goose offers to take the chick on a real flight high above the farm. Clark's simple cartoons create a friendly if generic farmyard environment that provides a safety net of sorts for Peepsqueak's daredevil antics (he generally lands in "the soft green grass"). While young children will respond to the repetition of the form Clark uses throughout, it doesn't do much to move the story forward-like its hero, it has a bit of trouble taking off. Ages 2-5. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.