"I loved reading this story inspired by the real Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken of Chinatown! Kids will be encouraged to seek clever solutions for the problems they see being ignored." —Grace Lin, award-winning... Read More
Description
"I loved reading this story inspired by the real Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken of Chinatown! Kids will be encouraged to seek clever solutions for the problems they see being ignored."
—Grace Lin, award-winning author of A Big Mooncake for Little Star and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
"An imaginative retelling of a true story, Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken is something to squawk about!"
—Elana K. Arnold, author of the National Book Award finalist What Girls Are Made Of and the A Boy Called Bat series
New York City is not a great place for a chicken to live. It’s crowded and loud and busy. But you can find the city’s most famous chicken, Lillie, a.k.a. the Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken, in Chinatown.
When tourists ask, “Where’s the Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken?” locals point them to a video-game arcade on Mott Street, where Lillie plays games of tic-tac-toe against anyone who wants to play against her.
But eight-year-old Beatrice worries that the dark arcade is just not a good place for Lillie to live. She devises a clever plan: She will challenge the arcade’s Big Boss in a game of tic-tac-toe. Will Beatrice win Lillie’s freedom?
Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken is a picture book inspired by the true story of Lillie, a real chicken trained to play tic-tac-toe in New York's Chinatown Fair arcade, and her relocation to a farm for rescued animals. Featuring vibrant paintings of Chinatown by the award-winning illustrator Louie Chin (Bodega Cat, Fighting to Belong! Vols. I and II), Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken showcases a local cultural touchstone and shows how children can stand up for what they believe in and solve tough problems with ingenuity and heart.
Details
- Price: $11.95
- Pages: 32
- Publisher: Third State Books
- Imprint: Third State Books
- Publication Date: 19th August 2025
- Illustration Note: Illustrated on every page
- ISBN: 9798890130303
- Format: eBook
- Age: 4-8
- BISACs:
JUVENILE FICTION / Lifestyles / City & Town Life
JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / United States / Asian American
JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Birds
Reviews
Praise for Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken:
"This animal liberation tale from debut author Tso and Chin (Bodega Cat) offers an encouraging example of a resourceful young activist outwitting the opposition."
—Publishers Weekly
"Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken brings lore to life in a heartwarming and gorgeously illustrated story for readers of all ages."
—Amy Chu, award-winning author of Sea Sirens and Carmilla"An intriguing story inspired by a real-life New York City Chinatown sensation."
—Mia Wenjen, award-winning author of We Sing from the Heart and Food for the Future“When clever eight-year-old Beatrice decides Lillie deserves a better life, she comes up with a bold plan to win her freedom. This heartwarming tale celebrates courage, quick thinking, and standing up for what’s right.”
—Arree Chung, author of Mixed, Ninja!, and the forthcoming MG graphic novel memoir Don’t Cause Trouble
Author Bio
"I loved reading this story inspired by the real Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken of Chinatown! Kids will be encouraged to seek clever solutions for the problems they see being ignored."
—Grace Lin, award-winning author of A Big Mooncake for Little Star and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
"An imaginative retelling of a true story, Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken is something to squawk about!"
—Elana K. Arnold, author of the National Book Award finalist What Girls Are Made Of and the A Boy Called Bat series
New York City is not a great place for a chicken to live. It’s crowded and loud and busy. But you can find the city’s most famous chicken, Lillie, a.k.a. the Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken, in Chinatown.
When tourists ask, “Where’s the Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken?” locals point them to a video-game arcade on Mott Street, where Lillie plays games of tic-tac-toe against anyone who wants to play against her.
But eight-year-old Beatrice worries that the dark arcade is just not a good place for Lillie to live. She devises a clever plan: She will challenge the arcade’s Big Boss in a game of tic-tac-toe. Will Beatrice win Lillie’s freedom?
Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken is a picture book inspired by the true story of Lillie, a real chicken trained to play tic-tac-toe in New York's Chinatown Fair arcade, and her relocation to a farm for rescued animals. Featuring vibrant paintings of Chinatown by the award-winning illustrator Louie Chin (Bodega Cat, Fighting to Belong! Vols. I and II), Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken showcases a local cultural touchstone and shows how children can stand up for what they believe in and solve tough problems with ingenuity and heart.
- Price: $11.95
- Pages: 32
- Publisher: Third State Books
- Imprint: Third State Books
- Publication Date: 19th August 2025
- Illustrations Note: Illustrated on every page
- ISBN: 9798890130303
- Format: eBook
- Age: 4-8
- BISACs:
JUVENILE FICTION / Lifestyles / City & Town Life
JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / United States / Asian American
JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Birds
Praise for Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken:
"This animal liberation tale from debut author Tso and Chin (Bodega Cat) offers an encouraging example of a resourceful young activist outwitting the opposition."
—Publishers Weekly
"Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken brings lore to life in a heartwarming and gorgeously illustrated story for readers of all ages."
—Amy Chu, award-winning author of Sea Sirens and Carmilla"An intriguing story inspired by a real-life New York City Chinatown sensation."
—Mia Wenjen, award-winning author of We Sing from the Heart and Food for the Future“When clever eight-year-old Beatrice decides Lillie deserves a better life, she comes up with a bold plan to win her freedom. This heartwarming tale celebrates courage, quick thinking, and standing up for what’s right.”
—Arree Chung, author of Mixed, Ninja!, and the forthcoming MG graphic novel memoir Don’t Cause Trouble