A beautiful crossover between H. C. Andersens' romanticism in "The Ugly Duckling", George Orwell's realism in "Animal Farm" and the deep-felt portrayal of friendship in E. B. White's "Charlotte's Web". I found this little book to be an absolute treasure; it is so irresistibly heartwarming, true and well-written. 
 "The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly" is a charming fable about a hen named Sprout, who simply wants to hatch an egg of her own. Her heart breaks every time the farmer takes her eggs, and one day she simply decides to stop laying them - and that's where her adventure begins. 
 Sprout represents the need for individuality within a firmly traditional society. She wants something more, something else than the life in the coop can offer her - and she is not afraid to go out and search for it. Her tale is one of courage and friendship; of motherhood, freedom and belonging. 
 I have no idea how to categorize this book. While it is about talking and thinking animals, it is also about politics; mixed marriages and immigration. It certainly is not a fairy tale; but due to the talking animals it cannot exactly be defined as realism either. I do not consider this as a children's book, but it could be read to children as a tale of family and friendship. 
 "The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly" is a fable, a metaphor, a tale filled with layers and loaded with hidden meanings. On one side it is a little story about a hen who wants to hatch an egg; on the other side it is a touching tale of freedom and sacrifice.