Chicken Scratch

"If you love chickens, or if you're a creative, you have to get this? book-book-kaka-book!??Ann Byle has taken two of her greatest loves and melded them into an entertaining and enlightening story of what makes us-and chickens-tick. ?Delightful!" --Angela Hunt, author and chicken keeper? "The benefits of raising a small flock of chickens reaches far beyond a basket of delicious, fresh eggs. Ann Byle has rounded up a diverse group of chicken keepers?and creatives?who share their sage perspectives?on?both the creative process and?why they're in favor of a backyard full of friendly, fluffy feathered friends." --Lisa Steele, founder of Fresh Eggs Daily (R), Coop to Kitchen (R) Cook, and CreateTV Host "This is the hug, the breath, and salt-of-the-earth wisdom we need right now. Escaping to?Ann's house is like going to your loving grandma's and your best friend's house, at the same?time. She welcomes you in with a story and a spot of insight that leave you skipping back to your own home with joyous hope." --Rebeca Seitz, bestselling author of The Neapolitan Series "I do not know how Ann Byle could possibly have penned a book on creativity by simply observing a flock of chickens. But this I know... the book you hold is an extraordinary achievement, combining humor, inspiration, and encouragement for the creative life. Writing with warmth, wit, and wisdom, Ann unearths the creativity hiding in a chicken coop and uses her insights to inspire and equip those on their own creative journeys.?Chicken Scratch?is, in itself, a testament to human creativity and the meaningful life lessons that can be found in our own backyard." --Glenys Nellist, author of the Love Letters from God, Little Mole, and Snuggle Time series "Rekindle your creative passions with this charming read filled with chicken and golden nuggets. A tremendous accomplishment!" --Don Perini, Professor of Creativity and Innovation and author of Emerge Clever and quirky-much?like its author-Chicken Scratch?is a treasure.?Ann has combined expert insights?on the principles of creativity?with practical suggestions for?developing one's talents?and skills,?as well?as tips for good business practices,?and then added a generous dash of humor?and storytelling. It's like the perfect serving of scrambled eggs: delicious and satisfying! --Ann-Margret Hovsepian, author of the?Restore My Soul?devotional coloring book "Consider this: The most successful bird species today is the domestic chicken, with a global population of 24 billion birds. Chickens rule because they shrewdly trained eight billion humans to generously provide for them, so Ann Byle has the numbers on her side when she talks chicken. Meanwhile and over on the right side of our brains, Ann brings a winsome voice, encouragement and, yes, creative flair to her effort.?If the only chickens you handle are tucked between slices of a sandwich bun, prepare yourself for a more wholesome treat between the covers of? Chicken Scratch." --Dwight Baker, Baker Book House Company "From beginning?to end,?Chicken Scratch?taught me more than I came prepared to learn. From the resources, quotes, to proper caretaking of chickens and an understanding of their inquisitive and endearing nature, Ann takes you on a unique and masterfully melded journey. This city girl was immediately transported back to her younger Charlotte's Web-loving years and reminded that creativity lives within all of us!" --Beth Fisher, speaker, leadership coach, and author of?Remorseless: Learning to Lose Labels, Expectations, and Assumptions-Without Losing Yourself