Mama's Chickens

“Drawing on the author’s lived experience it explores a family’s experience of early-onset dementia from the child’s point of view. The care of the family’s chickens is a well-crafted metaphor for Mama’s changing but enduring relationship with her children. The use of the chickens in this way is relatable and age-appropriate for younger children and adds playfulness to a heavy topic.”
 - Educating Young Children Journal
“The book is chook full (see what I did there?) of sweet metaphors, showing the children and chickens feeling interchanging, which I love because illness of any kind is often a whole family experience, children and pets included. It is so important to acknowledge that and this wonderful story/book does this beautifully.”
- Forevability
“his gentle story from EK Books, a publishing house that promotes ‘books with heart on issues that matter’ will inform readers about forms of dementia that afflict some families. In this story the chickens are a source of keeping alive memories for the woman and a bridge between her and her children, a common activity that they can share.”
- ReadPlus
“it may bring desperately needed peace, understanding, and comfort to the heart of a child.”
- Reading For Sanity
“tackles the issue of early on-set dementia in a way that is easy for children to learn about and explore. The book can help adults to show children what might happen when a family member they know might be diagnosed with this condition and how despite what may happen, their love for their family member and that person’s love for them will never be forgotten.”
- The Strawberry Post
“A masterful book about an important topic..”
- Byron Bibliotherapy
“This beautifully told story by Michelle Worthington, draws on her own experience of progressive nonfluent aphasia and tackles an important subject in ways that children can relate to.”
-  Who Magazine

“A story of acceptance of disability in the sure knowledge that even when a loved one can’t always respond in the way we expect or are used to, we know they still love us and we love them.”

- Just So Stories

“Speaking is only one form communicating, there are so many other ways you can express love. That is the message I wanted to get across in Mama’s Chickens
- Radio National Breakfast
“the one thing that permeates both the book and the reality, is that undying, unconditional love between parent and child that can never be underestimated …- and if that is the only message a young reader takes from this, then job done and done well, Michelle Worthington.”
-  Bottom Shelf
“The book has initiated open and honest communication with my daughter (who is 7 years old), where we have spoken about dementia not only affecting the elderly and what symptoms such as memory loss, confusion and acting unlike themselves looks like.”
- North Shore Mums
This beautiful picture book by award-winning Australian author, Michelle Worthington, uses the writer’s own experience of early onset dementia to explore the topic in a child friendly way."
-The Pregnancy Centre
“The warm tones in the overall design and artwork for Mama’s Chickens keep the mood of the book joyful and that is the overall message that children can take away—Mama’s love is constant no matter what challenges the family experiences.”
- Picture Book Parents
“Michelle Worthington has written over a dozen books for children. With Mama’s Chickens, her writing expertise, as well as her personal experience with dementia, is evident in the spare text and storytelling format. The result is a beautiful and sensitive portrayal of a potentially heavy subject, which will allow readers from two through six articulate and understand their own feelings.”
- Books + Publishing