Eggbert, the Slightly Cracked Egg [School & Library Binding]

Tom Ross (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

A plucky egg, banished from the refrigerator for one flaw, hides his defect until he discovers such famous cracks as the Grand Canyon.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Vibrant illustrations of life-size eggs and other household items generate excitement in this soft-boiled story. Eggbert, an egg who wears a red beret and carries a palette and brush, enjoys painterly success in the fridge until his egg compatriots discover a crack in his shell. Banished, Eggbert tentatively makes his way through the kitchen, the windowsill and the garden. There's a lag midway as Eggbert camouflages himself in various outdoor scenes, hoping to paint himself into the landscape. Momentum picks up when he accepts his imperfection and travels around the world to see "famous cracked sights"--a canyon, an island volcano, the Liberty Bell. Ross, creator of the It Zwibble series, doesn't trouble the reader with mundane considerations, namely, that an egg would go from cracked to rotten in short order. Instead, he sustains the fantasy and establishes a point--that a great artist might in fact need to be "slightly cracked." Barron, in his picture book debut, fills every page with warm, undiluted hues and realistic backgrounds. But the eggs are his least credible, most cartoonish creations, largely due to his decision to attach spindly, flesh-tone arms and legs to the solid white torsos. Mischievously touted as a "Grade A book," this rates a Grade B-plus. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-The other eggs in the refrigerator admire Eggbert's remarkable paintings-until they discover that he has a slight crack. Because of his defect, he is banished from his home. At first he uses his artistic talent to attempt to camouflage himself, but his disguises are quickly discovered. Then he realizes that the world contains many lovely cracks. Brush in hand, he travels the globe and produces wonderful paintings of fissures found in things such as volcanoes and the Liberty Bell. Back at the refrigerator, his former friends ponder his hand-painted postcards with amazement and a touch of sadness. The story might be read as a commentary on the lives of artists and/or the dangers and blessings of nonconformity; however, young readers will be more engaged by the illustrations than by philosophical reflections. Eggs and vegetables rarely assume such lifelike expressions and stances, and the simple text and clear design add up to read-aloud potential. Eggbert is an egg worth watching.
Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 1 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (March 2, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399224165
• ISBN-13: 978-0399224164
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,719,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing book teaching everyone the pride in diversity., May 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Eggbert, the Slightly Cracked Egg (School & Library Binding)

This book is absolutely wonderful. It talks about the slightly cracked egg trying to find his niche and his identity. As he journeys place to place he discovers the uniqueness of being different. The illustrations are excellent, vividly depicting the story. A reader can easily see the sincerity of the author throughout the book. I was a tutor when I first discovered the book at the library. I immediately knew it was something special. Not only does it teach kids but it teaches adults.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars colorful artwork, great story to go with it, April 25, 2004

By 

Dana H. Pasterjak "Dana" (Palm Coast, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eggbert: The Slightly Cracked Egg (Paperstar) (Paperback)

This is an enjoyable book for kids of all ages to enjoy. The art work is hilarious! Celery stands with arms akimbo along with the other angry vegetables who throw Eggbert out of his home in the refrigerator, into the world. It is a message of hope and acceptance of yourself that spans the ages. I bought it because I fanned through the book and loved the art work, but the story that goes with Eggbert's tale of self-acceptance makes this book a classic for children. I want to see more of artist Rex Barron's work and hope he pairs up with the author, Tom Ross, again.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My toddler loves this book, June 26, 2004

By 

practicalmom "practicalmom" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eggbert: The Slightly Cracked Egg (Paperstar) (Paperback)

I can't say enough about Eggbert. When my daughter was two, we checked this out from the library and for four weeks we had a new friend, Eggbert. The peppers and tomatoes and milk and other eggs became a part of our home also. Then one day the book had to be returned. For months we drove past the library and each time my daughter would wail for Eggbert. Then one day she stopped. I did find Eggbert available again, brought it home and for the second time we fell in love with Eggbert. Now I am on Amazon to buy our own copy because we can't bear the separation anxiety once more.