This article describes how integrating children's literature in mathematics classrooms has proven to provide a common context that is suitable for problem solving and modeling that advances mathematical thinking and reasoning. The engaging task inspired by children's literature allowed this teacher to infuse science, engineering, technology, and mathematics to understand the needs of chickens and construct a viable prototype of a coop. The task allowed students to comprehend the needs of chickens through the modeling of area, given the specific recommendations for housing chickens. With a class producing several prototypes, the teacher coined this the "Poultry Egg-States" for housing chickens.