Roly-Poly Egg

PreS-Gr 2—Splotch is a small bird, not a bit pale but amorphous, nothing more than a colorful splotch of paint with eyes, beak, and legs, who lays an egg "small—yes, spotty—yes, and absolutely perfect in every way." The tone is gentle and playful, and the colors and technique are reminiscent of Eric Carle's work though rendered in a more stylized way. The egg itself has spot lamination, making it appear shiny and a bit raised, appealing to the tactile sensibility of young children. The roly-poly egg rocks back and forth before falling and making its perilous journey down from the treetop to be kicked by a zebra, rolled down a giraffe's back, and so on, until it finds its way tossed up to Splotch. That journey is indicated in a dashed line so young fingers can trace its path. The surprise ending is a visual, tactile delight: lift the top and bottom flap and there's little splotch. The art is a feast for little eyes and little fingers, and the lilting, descriptive language will lull little ears, too. Celebrate spring with a clutch: this book plus Margaret Wise Brown's classic The Golden Egg (Golden Bks, 2004), Emily Gravett's clever The Odd Egg (S & S, 2009), and Dianna Hutts Aston's lovely, informative An Egg Is Quiet (Chronicle, 2006).—Sara Lissa Paulson, American Sign Language and English Lower School PS 347, New York City