Vail, Colorado, USA Floppy wants to be a good chicken. His four legs, floppy ears, and thunderous roar suggest he might be something else entirely. In Floppy: The Dinosaur Chicken, Bill Ragland, also known as Grandpa Bill, introduces a dinosaur whose adventures explore kindness, courage, and the many ways a family can grow.
The story begins when Henny and Rooster Chicken discover an unusual egg beside a log in the mountains. They take it home, keep it warm, and welcome the baby that hatches. Having never seen a dinosaur, they believe Floppy is simply a different kind of chicken. Their love for him never depends on his appearance.
At Chicken School, however, being different brings painful attention. Two bullies, Scratchy and Thumper, tease Floppy and try to steal his lunch. When danger threatens them, Floppy faces an opportunity to help the very classmates who have hurt him. His response gives the story an early lesson in compassion, showing how friendship can begin when someone looks beyond appearances.
A family picnic opens the door to a bigger discovery. Floppy meets dinosaurs who help explain where he came from, but learning the truth raises a question that matters deeply to him: can he embrace his new relatives without losing the parents he already loves? The story makes room for both, following an expanding family through shared meals, playful discoveries, and unexpected dangers.
Mountain paths, hidden tunnels, lake outings, and a powerful storm keep the adventure moving. Alongside these moments are quieter pleasures: grandparents bearing surprises, siblings learning about one another, and the comfort of having people nearby who care. Floppy’s curiosity and willingness to help give young readers a character whose differences become part of what he contributes to others.
The book began with a grandfather’s wish to share a story. During the COVID pandemic in 2020, Ragland wrote it for his grandchildren so he could read to them over FaceTime. Encouragement from family and friends led him toward publication.
Its artwork carries that same personal spirit. Twelve
third-grade students created illustrations after hearing the story, drawing
what they imagined through a four-week process. Wil, aged eight, also
contributed, and Oliver drew the cover picture. Their participation brings
children’s own interpretations into the telling.
About the Author
Bill Ragland’s background includes photography, business
ownership, and five years teaching fifth grade. A lifelong outdoorsman who
loves the Colorado mountains, he has enjoyed hunting, fishing, and family
camping trips. He also spent fifteen years coaching girls’ competitive
softball. Writing as Grandpa Bill, he shares an imaginative adventure rooted in
his storytelling for his grandchildren.