Preaching to the Chickens

Written by Jabari Asim · Illustrated by E. B. Lewis and E.B. Lewis

A young boy preaches to chickens, dreaming of leading change.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 929 ratings

32 pages· 949 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

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Bookroo's summary

Young John Lewis dreams of becoming a preacher, inspiring change with his words. On his family farm, he practices by preaching to chickens, who listen intently. This charming tale of youthful ambition and leadership hints at John's future as a Civil Rights icon. How will his early passion shape his path to activism and influence?

From the publisher

A New York Times Best Illustrated Book

Critically acclaimed author Jabari Asim and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator E. B. Lewis give readers a fascinating glimpse into the boyhood of Civil Rights leader John Lewis.

John wants to be a preacher when he grows up—a leader whose words stir hearts to change, minds to think, and bodies to take action. But why wait? When John is put in charge of the family farm’s flock of chickens, he discovers that they make a wonderful congregation! So he preaches to his flock, and they listen, content under his watchful care, riveted by the rhythm of his voice.

Celebrating ingenuity and dreaming big, this inspirational story, featuring Jabari Asim’s stirring prose and E. B. Lewis’s stunning, light-filled impressionistic watercolor paintings, includes an author’s note about John Lewis, who grew up to be a member of the Freedom Riders, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and demonstrator on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. John Lewis is now a Georgia congressman, who is still an activist today, recently holding a sit-in on the House floor of the U.S. Capitol to try to force a vote on gun violence. His March: Book Three recently won the National Book Award, as well as the American Library Association’s Coretta Scott King Author Award, Printz Award, and Sibert Award.