Author Christine Heppermann didn’t set out to become the enamored owner of pet poultry—a polish bantam hen named Kandinsky with an absurd puffball of feathers on her head, and a long-feathered rooster named Yeti, who does, indeed, look like a miniature snow monster. But after researching and writing this account of a Minneapolis couple who have turned their city home into a haven for homeless birds, she is one. Heppermann’s engaging photo documentary tells how Chicken Run Rescue owners Mary Britton Clouse and her husband Bert turned their love of animals into incredible rescue and advocacy work. Through the stories of individual birds that have come to the shelter, she also underscores the challenges faced by chickens (and roosters), who are not widely considered companion animals. Most of their fates end happily, thanks to Chicken Run Rescue. But the birds’ individual personalities also shine. Heppermann describes her own journey to happy chicken adopter and shares tips about chickens as pets in an author’s note with additional photos. (Ages 8–13)

Just outside of downtown Minneapolis, follow the sounds of crowing and clucking
and you will find Mary Britton Clouse’s Chicken Run Rescue. Over the years, Mary
and her husband have given hundreds of homeless birds a safe place to rest until they
can be adopted by caring families.
Each chicken has a story to share, and the debut author Christine Heppermann
(who adopted her own chicken) has crafted a spare, moving, and at times humorous
text that will open young readers’ eyes and also inspire to help all creatures great and
small.
Come along and find out why lovable chickens are actually, according to Mary, “the
ones who need friends the most.”