Author TJ Aegesen and one of his chickens
Courtesy of Tia Aegesen
Although they are considered possible contenders for the title of coolest creatures, they are often overlooked and ranked at the bottom of the pecking order of the most popular creatures in the animal kingdom.
However, former Downers Grove firefighter TJ Aagesen realized how great poultry is and wrote a children’s book on the subject. Chicken for a Day, Aagesen’s debut publication, is now available and promises to inspire, entertain and amuse readers.
Aagesen, an Elgin resident, had been with the Downers Grove Fire Department for more than 13 years when he was injured on the job in 2021. After undergoing two subsequent surgeries and extensive physical therapy, he was unable to work and was eventually forced to retire at age 40.
Aagesen’s sister, Megan Miller, encouraged him to spend his time during his recovery writing a children’s book for her two sons, Lucas (2) and Alec (4).
“Actually, she was just tired of taking my calls all the time. I got bored and called her a lot. I had never thought about writing a book, let alone a children’s book, but she planted the seed,” he said. “I had no idea what to write about, but I wanted it to be a message to my nephews.”
A few hours after talking to his sister, he had the idea. “I sat up in bed at 3 a.m., went downstairs and wrote a story on 30 Post-it notes. I had decided it should be about chickens; animals that my nephews could be inspired by.”
Aagesen and his wife, Tia, have a deep appreciation for chickens. In 2014, Tia helped pass an ordinance allowing Elgin residents to keep backyard chickens. However, after the ordinance passed, the couple’s HOA opposed backyard chicken keeping, so the couple moved to another area of Elgin. They now own four chickens: Stedman, Oprah, Stevie and Twyla, all of which bring them fresh eggs and lots of joy.
“Chickens do what I expect my nephews to do. That’s the perspective I wrote the book from,” said Aagesen. “Chicken for a Day” describes, from the perspective of Lucas and Alec’s mother, why one might aspire to be like a chicken. Spoiler alert: The first reason is that chickens start each day with a song.
The other reasons are equally heartwarming.
Aagesen spent nearly a year refining the story. He enlisted the help of his friend and professional artist Kasey McElroy from Dundee to create the quirky illustrations and self-published the book. Chicken for a Day is now available in stores and he is already thinking about writing more books.
While writing “Chicken for a Day,” Aagesen said, “I had to take off my fireman’s helmet, but I replaced it with my kids’ helmet, which I didn’t even know I had. I figured out how to think like a kid and say things they can relate to. Now I’m in a season of life where I’m reinventing my new normal. I haven’t defined it yet, but I’m having fun searching.”
Aagesen, who has a bachelor’s degree in fire service management and a master’s degree in emergency management, said spending time with his nieces and nephews has been one of his favorite things about working with the Downers Grove Fire Department. He also shared what he enjoyed most about being a school custodian and visiting the schools. “I really enjoyed that aspect of my job. I love the look you get when you pull up in a fire truck and walk into a room full of kids. It warms your heart.”
The same goes for the process of writing entertaining and inspiring books for children.
To learn more about Aagesen and his book, visit chickenforaday.square.site/.