By Luke Voogt
Why did six chickens cross the road at a Werribee primary school? To star in North Shore landscaper Brendan Bolton’s new book!
The Great Chicken Escape was based on a real-life chook breakout at Thomas Chirnside Primary School, where the father-of-three was building a kitchen garden.
When the kids tried to introduce a new group of hens to a coop that Brendan built, they made a daring dash for freedom.
“They were a slimmer variety than the original chooks,” he said.
He and the students left the school grounds to pursue the fleeing fowls, cornering them in a neighbour’s garden across the road.
“I reckon it’s something the kids would remember for sure,” he said.
“It was fun. I think that aspect is missing a bit in schools nowadays – joy is a powerful thing isn’t it.”
The book-loving landscaper, whose mum was a librarian, felt compelled to capture the experience in his debut picture book.
“I don’t consider myself a book writer – it’s just a very raw account of something that happened.”
Sons Sam, 13, and Brodie, 11, share that view.
“I don’t think they look at me as an author – they definitely look at me as a landscaper,” Brendan laughed.
“They’ve read it and like it. But they’re a little bit older than the age group we’re aiming for.”
Brendan is the fond owner of his own chooks, although his are no escape artists, like those now living happily at the school.
“They’re bizarre creatures,” he said.
“We’ve got a couple of Jack Russells, so if they escape they’re in trouble.”
