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Flossie and Bossie
from the dust cover:
"This is the story of two small Bantam hens. The only thing they had in common was that they both longed to be mothers. Otherwise they wre as different as night and day, as the sun and the moon."
"There is a great richness in this story. It's characterizations are profoundly real (as Flossie and Bossie were indeed real), and it has a deep story appeal. It is a warm and gentle story, but it is also a sincere and touching one. Little Flossie is the heart of it, and around her Miss LeGallienne has woven the wonderfully amusing picture of barnyard life, with its diverse characters and doings."
"This is the story of two small Bantam hens. The only thing they had in common was that they both longed to be mothers. Otherwise they wre as different as night and day, as the sun and the moon."
"There is a great richness in this story. It's characterizations are profoundly real (as Flossie and Bossie were indeed real), and it has a deep story appeal. It is a warm and gentle story, but it is also a sincere and touching one. Little Flossie is the heart of it, and around her Miss LeGallienne has woven the wonderfully amusing picture of barnyard life, with its diverse characters and doings."
210 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1949
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 2, 2019
One of the most charming children's books ever written. It is truly a shame that this book is not back in print!
I found an old copy of this in the library as a kid, and read it over and over (until it disappeared). I searched for it for years as ad adult and finally found a copy (yes, I admit it, I obsessively tracked down a book for children—about CHICKENS!)
Yup, this beautifully written book is about two Bantam hens, Flossie and Bossie. Flossie is scrawny and missing some of her dull-black feathers. She is timid and shy, sweet and good—and the rest of the flock makes fun of her. Bossie, on the other hand, is the leader of the flock, and frequently the instigator of the cruelty. She is beautiful and arrogant and mean. The only thing Flossie and Bossie have in common is that both of them long to be mothers.
When both of them are removed from the henhouse by the “Hands” and placed in a special coop for hatching eggs, conflicts start almost from the moment the eggs hatch. Bossie's strong will and confident cruelty goes up against Flossie's pacifism and her shy courage.
What is wonderful about this book: First, the story. It's just a darn good story! Full of adventure, battles, betrayal, courage, and all kinds of love. Second, while the book is almost 70 years old, the themes are true for today, and most especially the anti-bullying message really rings true. Third, this is a great story to read to kids, and for fans of books like 101 Dalmations (the original book), Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web, Bambi, Rascal, or Lad a Dog.
Written in 1949, the story is not dated, and holds up to the test of time. Absolutely marvelous book!
I found an old copy of this in the library as a kid, and read it over and over (until it disappeared). I searched for it for years as ad adult and finally found a copy (yes, I admit it, I obsessively tracked down a book for children—about CHICKENS!)
Yup, this beautifully written book is about two Bantam hens, Flossie and Bossie. Flossie is scrawny and missing some of her dull-black feathers. She is timid and shy, sweet and good—and the rest of the flock makes fun of her. Bossie, on the other hand, is the leader of the flock, and frequently the instigator of the cruelty. She is beautiful and arrogant and mean. The only thing Flossie and Bossie have in common is that both of them long to be mothers.
When both of them are removed from the henhouse by the “Hands” and placed in a special coop for hatching eggs, conflicts start almost from the moment the eggs hatch. Bossie's strong will and confident cruelty goes up against Flossie's pacifism and her shy courage.
What is wonderful about this book: First, the story. It's just a darn good story! Full of adventure, battles, betrayal, courage, and all kinds of love. Second, while the book is almost 70 years old, the themes are true for today, and most especially the anti-bullying message really rings true. Third, this is a great story to read to kids, and for fans of books like 101 Dalmations (the original book), Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web, Bambi, Rascal, or Lad a Dog.
Written in 1949, the story is not dated, and holds up to the test of time. Absolutely marvelous book!
November 28, 2008
This is a wonderful book, which I read in my childhood. I saved it from my parent's home and read it to my children. They love it as well. I was surprised to find that it is out of print. The story is simple, endearing and true to life. It was a favorite then and now.
May 15, 2011
I read this book as a child. I didn't remember the story line, but remembered it was so captivating for me. I wanted to live in the barnyard. My daughter somehow found a copy of this book for me for mother's day and I read it in one sitting it was so wonderful. Warm fuzzies is all I can say!
January 9, 2023
I am so surprised there is not a review for this book. A friend had loaned her childhood favorite book to my daughter 4 or 5 yrs ago. My daughter really enjoyed it and read it a couple times. I read it and enjoyed it very much and tracked down a copy for our family library. It is out of print and most copies are pretty expensive, but every now and then a reasonably priced copy pops up.
We are reading it for our book club for January 2023 so I read it again and fell in love with it again. Such a well written, fun, meaningful story. It could also be called Humility and Pride. This sweet story of two Bantam hens juxtaposes Flossies humility and Bossies pride and the impact it has on those around them, each other, and their own self esteem.
I love all of the fun chickens in the barnyard. Tea Cosy in all her wisdom, and the Lunatic in all her craziness and the Rooster in all his arrogance. The human in the story, the Hands, shows kindness and compassion and metes out justice and mercy fairly.
It is also a story of motherhood and two examples are shown, Flossie and Bossie. One of my favorite quotes in the book is Flossie sharing her feelings of motherhood. "But in spite of her many anxieties, in spite of the sharp pain that made her wince each time her sore foot touched the ground, she was filled with ecstasy. Her little ones were willful and often selfish, but they loved her and depended on her, and at night when they snuggled under her wings so trustingly, she felt that no amount of sacrifice and effort could be enough to pay for that much joy."
I loved picking up this book and enjoying time with Flossie and Bossie and the gang. There is much goodness to be gleaned from this sweet book. It is an all time favorite and I recommend it heartily.
If you can't find a reasonably priced copy, you can read it on the Internet Archive.
We are reading it for our book club for January 2023 so I read it again and fell in love with it again. Such a well written, fun, meaningful story. It could also be called Humility and Pride. This sweet story of two Bantam hens juxtaposes Flossies humility and Bossies pride and the impact it has on those around them, each other, and their own self esteem.
I love all of the fun chickens in the barnyard. Tea Cosy in all her wisdom, and the Lunatic in all her craziness and the Rooster in all his arrogance. The human in the story, the Hands, shows kindness and compassion and metes out justice and mercy fairly.
It is also a story of motherhood and two examples are shown, Flossie and Bossie. One of my favorite quotes in the book is Flossie sharing her feelings of motherhood. "But in spite of her many anxieties, in spite of the sharp pain that made her wince each time her sore foot touched the ground, she was filled with ecstasy. Her little ones were willful and often selfish, but they loved her and depended on her, and at night when they snuggled under her wings so trustingly, she felt that no amount of sacrifice and effort could be enough to pay for that much joy."
I loved picking up this book and enjoying time with Flossie and Bossie and the gang. There is much goodness to be gleaned from this sweet book. It is an all time favorite and I recommend it heartily.
If you can't find a reasonably priced copy, you can read it on the Internet Archive.
January 11, 2009
Amazing moral story, the chickens are realistic poeple.
April 23, 2012
I read this book as a little girl. I loved it and when my copy died from repeated use, I started hunting it down...I went as far as contacting the publisher to see if they were going to re-print it any time soon.
This is a wonderful book that tells children how they can start out as enemies,and become friends. It also showcases the way that Flossie always stays good and sweet and it gets her things that no one else can believe. It is a relevant story in today's society as when it was published in 1949.
This is a wonderful book that tells children how they can start out as enemies,and become friends. It also showcases the way that Flossie always stays good and sweet and it gets her things that no one else can believe. It is a relevant story in today's society as when it was published in 1949.
July 15, 2011
I read this book over and over, when I was around age 10 or 11 (and I am now 60). As a young girl, I obviously adored this story about two hens, who were very different from each other--but who both wanted to be mothers. One was egotistical and vain, the other was selfless and humble. I was sad to see that it is no longer in print--but I still have my beat up copy of it down in the basement (because I could never get rid of it--it made such an impression on me, in a positive way.)
April 6, 2020
This was one of my favorite books growing us as a child. Two hens. Two different hens. I escaped through books. I thought I was Laura Ingalls in Little House. Flossie and Bossie were my hens. When school was out for summer, the bookmobile was again like a fairy tale bus. It pulled up and I could enter and check out my favorite books. Pippi Longstocking and of course Flossie and Bossie. Flossie and Bossie prepared me for symbolism before I ever took college English.
July 15, 2008
I read this book over and over and over again in the 4th grade. Loved it then. My sister found a copy for me and sent it for Christmas three years ago. I enjoyed it all over again. It is a well written, heart warming story about quality of character versus vanity.
November 20, 2008
I LOVE THIS BOOK! It is about two hens, a miniature and a standard. They are both hatching eggs, and they have to live together even though they hate eachother!
January 13, 2009
I really really liked it. It's an amazing story about two bantam hens. You should read it.
June 25, 2012
Thank you to the Goodreads reviewer who put in the words "Bantam hens" so that I got the hit on a Google search! Have been trying to remember this title for over 20 years now.
May 25, 2017
Recommended by a colleague, this was a book I had as a kid. Two chickens are featured in this gentle read about compassion. Flossie is scrawny and timid, while Bossie is beautiful, full of herself, and the rooster's favorite. The Hands care for the flock, relocate first Flossie, then Bossie as well, into separate coops when they have a brood. Flossie gains confidence, Bossie becomes nicer, and it all ends satisfactorily.
September 28, 2019
A wonderful classic children's book. I read this book for the first time in my 50's! I bought it at a antique store only because I liked the title. It's exceptional!
April 25, 2021
This is the best book ever! And I think Flossie is the cutest with her cute chicks!! At the end she grew beautiful.
I am 7 years old.
I am 7 years old.
September 12, 2023
I read this book in the 1970s and it is out of print now, but if you ever see it in a used bookshop, be sure to pick it up. It is a sweet story about self-confidence, love and loyalty.
February 15, 2019
I don’t actually remember how old I was when I read this book. We’d moved off the farm and into town and I was going to Maplewood Elementary, so it was after grade 3.
But I DO remember this book as life changing. The characters were so vivid and the conflict so clear. I was fascinated by the way the words on the page revealed the story. And enthralled with sweet, sad Flossie’s plight.
I didn’t want the story to end so I kept signing it out if the school library to read over & over again.
After the 6th or 7th time I’d signed the book out, Miss Campbell, the school librarian, said, “You know Greg, there are OTHER books here you might like to read...”
And I’m still trying to read them all.
But I DO remember this book as life changing. The characters were so vivid and the conflict so clear. I was fascinated by the way the words on the page revealed the story. And enthralled with sweet, sad Flossie’s plight.
I didn’t want the story to end so I kept signing it out if the school library to read over & over again.
After the 6th or 7th time I’d signed the book out, Miss Campbell, the school librarian, said, “You know Greg, there are OTHER books here you might like to read...”
And I’m still trying to read them all.
February 2, 2015
I absolutely love this book! It is a fantastic book that gives you a funny and heartfelt story about life in a henhouse from the hen's perspective. If you like fiction and you can get your hands on it this book you should definitely read it!!
April 7, 2015
I read this book as a child and loved it. It was part of the classroom library one year and I must have read it once a month. :) I used to look for it when we went to the bookstore so I could buy a copy, but never did find it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews