posted on 08 Nov 2023

Revenge of the Cannibal Chickens and Rise of the Zombie Chickens by Gavin Lihou, with illustrations by Patrick Coombes

Australian author, Gavin Lihou first brought us two unlikely heroes, Dougy and Dermot in 2018 when he published Revenge of the Cannibal Chickens. Why, you might ask, are they ‘unlikely heroes’? Well, for a start, they are chickens; chickens who turn out to be both remarkably brave; delightfully incompetent at times; and, absurdly fond of dreadful puns. Really dreadful puns.

When Dougy and Dermot discover that ‘the most fantastic food in the world’ which they’ve just been fed is in fact chicken, they are disgusted, sickened and out for revenge. It’s time to find out who has been turning them into cannibals and who is running the industry that is slicing, dicing and roasting chickens.

And so the fun and mayhem begins. Along the way you’ll meet Elvis Eggsley, Chook Berry, Alfred Spatchcock – I told you the puns are dreadful! – and there will be lots of farting, vomiting and narrow-squeaks until our chicken heroes come face to face with the big villain in all of this, The Hungry Craic who:

“…wants them both served with onion rings, fries, peanut butter and banana sandwiches. All deep fried together!”

So will Dougy, Dermot and the Free Range Army set the whole of chicken-kind free? Well, you’ll have to read it yourself to find out.

Now in 2023, Dougy and Dermot return in The Rise of the Zombie Chickens. If you thought that author, Gavin Lihou couldn’t top the general sense of helter-skelter mayhem from their previous outing, you’d be wrong because this one turns the dial up to 11.

The formula is very similar – a cascade of really groan-worthy puns, fart gags, cartoon blood and vomit and just enough jeopardy to keep you turning the page. On this occasion Dougy and Dermot find themselves facing the dreaded mutant vampire chicken Count Eggspatula who has a cunning plan to displace his father, Count Ravenous, as head of the vampire chicken clan. This plan involves Dougy, a snake and the creation of a basilisk. 

Look, just accept the fact that I’m never going to be able to do justice to a plot that is so wild and whirling and that you’re going to need to read this one for yourself.

I’m aware that I’ve made both of these books sound like they are just entertaining froth but behind these hyperspeed stories there’s something a bit more cunning. There’s plenty here to make you think about factory farming, animal welfare and, especially, battery chickens and egg production – perfect for classroom discussion and debate.

Lihou also uses his own authorial voice to pop into the text and add some useful explanations of the vocabulary, technical terms and even some of the puns that he uses. So, while you’re having fun, you’re also getting a painless English lesson!

Patrick Coombes does the cover art and provides black and white part-page illustrations for both books.

Published by Candy Jar Books, these two stories can be obtained from your local independent bookshop – who will be happy to order them for you if they aren’t on their shelves.

 

Terry Potter

November 2023