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Cheéka has long been the sole rooster in the barnyard. He enjoys his status tremendously and confidently until competition arrives. The new rooster and Cheéka soon engage in a loud dispute relating to dominance and territory. The argument upsets many of the different and previously placid species on the farm, who respond with their classic sounds, each of which gets an illustration that is eye-catching and beautiful. Through the din, the cry of a hen distracts them amidst the disturbances in the barnyard that their argument facilitates. The need for immediate teamwork overrides their hostility, and the two, now a team, work together. In the process, they learn to appreciate each other and the skills that each brings to create a successful conclusion to the crisis.
This book of vivid pictures and text geared to very young children demonstrates the pressing need for cooperation and group work that rises above baser personal gratification. The roosters demonstrate the virtues of good leadership and common sense as they put aside their ego-related quests for dominance to perform necessary acts. It is a lesson that is pertinent for every time period and should resonate with most readers. The author demonstrates her skill in crafting a tale that reflects positive values in beings whose initial flaws are as relatable as they are believable. The author’s lesson to the book's young readers is that one must have the wisdom, common sense, and compassion to put aside one’s baser feelings for higher purposes and to create teamwork that not only overrides but heals discord.