This notable work by Beatrice Rodriguez has been published in many different countries. The other text by Rodriguez in the corpus is The Big Dog [Der große Hund]. Le voleur de Poule [The Chicken Thief] is a strong and funny representation of themes of home, belonging, identity, and inclusion. A bear and a rabbit enjoy lunch in their garden, when suddenly a fox springs from the bushes to grab one of their chickens. A chase begins: the bear and fox run after the fleeing fox through different scenes: through woods, over mountains, across the sea. However, keen readers will spot something changing as the narrative progresses: the fox and chicken are not enemies but friends, and their relationship becomes more and more gentle as the chase becomes more and more fraught. When the bear and rabbit finally reach their targets, they see the fox and chicken cuddling in front of a warm fire in a cozy cottage on an island. The conclusion of the story is happy: all the animals unite as friends, and the fox and chicken bid farewell to the bear and rabbit, who sail off to return home. This light-hearted picturebook challenges the expectations of its reader and provides a good catalyst for the discussion of living together and the celebration of diversity.
