The Odd Egg

All of the birds had laid eggs, all except Duck! Duck is overjoyed to find an egg - it was rather large, rather spotty and rather odd but Duck thought it was the most beautiful egg in the whole wide world (even if the other birds did not). One by one, the other eggs begin to hatch. They crack and creak until, one by one, a chick pops out with a 'twee', a 'cheep', a 'twit-twoo', a 'pretty boy',and a 'honk'. That leaves one rather odd egg, still left to hatch. Duck waits and waits, until finally - a creak and a crack; Duck's egg hatches! And, with a flurry of the other birds' feathers, out pops a rather large, rather odd surprise. This book is absolutely delightful. The character of Duck with his determination and patience is completely charming. The egg hatching section - reminiscent of The Very, Hungry Caterpillar - with its tiered pages, is a real joy. Each page shows the hatching of a different egg, with the baby bird (a miniature version of its mother) fluttering, flying or hopping out of the shell. Children will love to join in with the cracking sounds and the birds' calls. Witty and lively watercolour illustration throughout the story are filled with wonderful details: Duck, patiently waiting, knits a giant pair of booties and a very long scarf and one of the birds sleeps, clutching 'A Egg Spotter Guide'. These pictures can by poured over every time the story is reread (which is sure to be many). A cracking little story for anyone who wants to have a little chuckle! Picture book / Ages 2+ / Reviewed by Torie Walton, teacher.

Suggested Reading Age 3+