Eggs Mark the Spot [Hardcover]

Mary Jane Auch (Author), M. J. Auch (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

In a companion volume to The Easter Egg Farm, Pauline, a hen that can lay an egg with an image of whatever she is looking at, becomes a heroine when her special talent provides the vital clues to a burglary.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this lighthearted companion to The Easter Egg Farm, Pauline the hen reveals a rare talent: if she concentrates on an image while laying an egg, the image appears on the eggshell. Asked to copy paintings hanging in a gallery onto her eggs, Pauline creates her own variations on masterpieces by the likes of Matisse, Van Gogh, Klee and Picasso. The resourceful hen also helps apprehend a thief who tries to make off with a Degas. Auch recreates the famous paintings with impressive fidelity, offering a sturdy contrast to her otherwise fanciful illustrations. Much of the humor is rooted in Pauline's frustration, comically conveyed in her facial expressions, at the humans' inability to decipher her "Henspeak," in which she attempts to communicate the whereabouts of the cluckprit-uh, culprit. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?Auch outdoes herself with this addition to her delightful series (Easter Egg Farm [1992], Peeping Beauty [1993], and Hen Lake [1995, all Holiday]). Pauline is a hen who can reproduce any image on her egg if she concentrates while laying it. Hearing of her talent, the Big City Art Gallery director asks Pauline's owner, Mrs. Pennywort, if she can copy some paintings as a promotion for their new exhibit. Unfortunately, every egg she lays is not a copy but her own creative variation. She is proud, but Mrs. Pennywort chastises her: "Now stop messing around and just copy the pictures..." Poor Pauline is depressed, but then witnesses a cat burglar stealing a Degas. She lays a clue, the thief is caught, and her originality is appreciated. The text combines clever wordplay with bright illustrations that perfectly express Pauline's temperament and Mrs. Pennywort's personality. The zany woman is quite an unusual farmer, with her orange mushroom coiffure and her flamboyant wardrobe. Tucked into all this fun are copies of six famous works of art; five are complete with the title, artist's name, and date. The story also subtly shows the value of creativity. In spots it is hilarious; in spots it is tender and sympathetic; and in all it is a terrific spoof on reality.?Betty Teague, Blythe Academy of Languages, Greenville, SC
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823412423
• ISBN-13: 978-0823412426
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,216,759 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Eggs Mark the Spot, November 17, 2011

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Teresa M. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eggs Mark the Spot (Hardcover)

The book, EGGS MARK THE SPOT, arrived right on time. It was in very good condition, almost like new except for a library card pocket on the back page. It was opened and read immediately.

The story was suggested by some children to the author as a follow up to the first book about Pauline, the hen, in THE EASTER EGG FARM. One of my grandchildren giggled about Pauline's special talent. She thought that Pauline had the skill to be a great detective.

Reading the book also raised an interesting discussion about a trip to the art museum. Could you identify some of the museum paintings pictured in the book?