Thistle and Petey is the story of a young, curious rooster who one night saves the farmyard baby ducks from being kidnapped by young hooligans. Thistle wakes the mama duck, helps chase the boys away and, thereby, becomes a barnyard celebrity. There is, however, an unintended consequence. Petey hits his head when he falls down; and thereafter, to the consternation of Thistle, Petey follows Thistle everywhere — like a little brother or sister following an older sibling. The barnyard animals meet to come up with a way to get Petey not to be Thistle’s shadow. None of the solutions really work; but, in the end, Petey says they should have just talked about the problem.

The “problem” solves itself and the answer, as pointed out by Toad the barnyard horse, was always right under their beaks. By the end, Thistle and Petey have the huggiest of all hugs!

This book is good for read-alouds to 3- and 4-year-olds and for 6- to 9-year-olds beginning to read chapter books.