Tina, The Sassy Chicken is the first book in a series of four books I wrote. The main characters in the book, they each feature real world elements. It was important to me that people see characters that are diverse but also real and grounded in realism and not so far removed from reality. Each character has or deals with real world elements while talk about important topics but in an easily digestible and understandable format without “weighing you down”.

Like Thea, Tina’s yardmate who’s a refugee.

Or like Pinkie the Pig who has sensitive skin and needs special skincare.

Or Tina who deals anxiety and self-doubt

Or one of my favorites, Duck The Duck who is non-verbal and neurodivergent and only communicates through quacking, body language, and sign language.

Or Slink who is plagued by generational and cultural trauma completely altering his view of the world, himself, his mental health, and how the world sees him through the lens of the stereotypical weasel being slimy, greasy, underhanded, and a rotten no-good species.

Book Breakdown

Book One, Tina The Sassy Chicken is an introduction to Tina, her barnyard friends, and the world in which they all live.

Book Two, Tina Goes to The Market is about sustainability, shopping local, supporting small businesses, community, friendship, but also second chances. When Tina runs into Slink the Weasel, deemed a “no good slimy pereson who lives up to the name of weasel” by animals on the farm. Tina sees Slink about to do what she thinks is an unthinkable act, only for him to freeze and run away which incites a chase through the market. Slink, pinned against a wall, and corned is finally able to explain the situation and how he is “trying to be a better weasel.” and “Not let Weasel be a word that defines him anymore.”

Book Three, Tina Goes to A Wedding is building off of the ending of Book Two where we learn that someone new has bought the old farm next to Farmer Anna, from one of the animals who lives their wit thier human, Farmer John. The couple goes on dates in which we follow through the eyes of the animals on both farms and then the animals helpling Farmer Anna plan the wedding with cake tasting, flower arrangements, and assigning animals to be apart of the security detail for the wedding.

Book Four, Tina Becomes an Aunt is the last book in the series, in which it’s been a few years since the wedding and things are going very well for both farms. But there’s a surprise, Famer Anna is pregnant and all the animals are excited and helping to prepare for the new addition to the herd. It features more character exploration, the animals acting a Farmer Anna’s personal security detail ready to defend her from any perceived threat land or air, even it means terrorizing the local mailman.