by Moe Zilla

Created on: August 14, 2010

It's a funny title, and Ned Delaney drew some very funny illustrations for the book. The title page shows a pink cloud in outer space - the exhaust from a small flying saucer - but the very next page shows a scowling landlord on earth, who's wearing a melodramatic black top hat. He's putting an eviction notice into an envelope that's addressed to "Hank the Farmer," and the next illustration shows a bristly-haired mailman delivering it. When the story finally begins, Hank the Farmer looks at the letter with wide-eyed surprise.

At the other end of the table is a jug with a cork labeled "XXX". (Is it moonshine?) And from the book's first sentences, it's clear Hank is leading a difficult life. ("His barn had collapsed. His well had run dry...") Hank's cows don't give enough milk, writes Delaney and "his corn looked like pickles." Within a few pages, his bull is even butting Hank into the sky!

"'Dang it!' hollered Hank. 'I knew I should have raised turkeys.'"

Then his landlord's limousine pulls up, and "Mr. Sneezle" steps out, scowling, and still wearing his black hat. He gives Hank just 24 hours to pay back his $1,951.02 loan. Hank's wide eyes look down sadly, as he becomes a character that the reader can root for. "I may be a bad farmer," he admits, "but I love my farm."

It looks like it was a fun book to write. (The book's author-illustrator, Ned Delaney, teaches both writing and illustrating at a state college in Massachusetts.) I wondered if he considered using this book to teach the elements of a good story. First you establish your characters, and then give them a dilemma - and then lead the story to a dramatic climax.

Suddenly the sky beyond Hank's window shade lights up with an orange light. ("'Dang lightning bugs,' Hank grumbled.") And sure enough, the next morning the flying saucer has landed inside his barn. Two wide-eyed, confused-looking chickens crawl out of the hatch. AND All Hank can say is "'Gee whillikers!'"  But amazingly, the chickens have heard about his mortgage problems - by using their discombobulator.

The chickens' names are Zirk, Quirk, and Irk, and they come from the Planet Koog. (This book "was NOT inspired by true-life agricultural adventures," according to the book's jacket, saying Delaney "is content to buy his vegetables at the store.") Together they come up with a scheme to raise enough to save the farm, though with a story like this, it's more important to enjoy the ride.

After all, how often do you get to see talking chickens from outer space?

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