Who hasn’t felt out of place on an occasion, but there are some of us who feel this way most of the time. These are the ones who are taller, shorter, wider, thinner, smarter, fancier, darker, lighter, faster, slower, or any number of other descriptions that differ from the people in their daily lives. They don’t have that sense of belonging we all desperately require. They don’t fit in with the crowd.
Kym Gordon Moore, or as I call her, my friend, Lady Kym, published a new book, Hennie and Her Poetry Eggs, that addresses this topic. The story (which has a combined readability score from 3rd to 12th grade and is fairly easy to read at the 7th grade level) centers on a chicken named Hennie who does not look like the others in the hen house and therefore is constantly teased and omitted from group activities.
Hennie is guided by Farmer Elijah, and her deceased parents who visit her in a dream, to embrace her unique appearance and value one another’s differences and similarities. Through strength and encouragement, she approaches her adversaries in a manner that allows them to build a friendly relationship.
Kym is an excellent writer, and in Hennie and Her Poetry Eggs, she produces a fully developed story with events that keep the tale moving with intrigue and interest. She also writes in a manner appropriate for the book to be read to younger children or for older children to read to themselves.
Either way, the story prompts discussion of other people’s cultures, faiths, identities, and living conditions that help us understand one another more fully and appreciate diversity with compassion. It also builds self-confidence and courage, eliminating the fear we can have when encountering people who are unlike anyone else we know.
You can learn more about the talented Kym Gordon Moore and her publications on her website. And be sure to read her blog at From Behind the Pen.
©Mary K. Doyle, 2026
Midwest Mary 
Talk to me. I’m curious about your thoughts and comments.