The Happy Egg [Library Binding]

Ruth Krauss (Author), Crockett Johnson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up | Grade Level: P and up

This is a beautifully simple picture book that celebrates the wonder of new life - the perfect Easter gift! There once was a little little bird. It was so little, it was only an egg...When a little bird is inside an egg, it cannot walk, it cannot sing, and it cannot fly. All it can do is be sat on. But when the time is just right: 'Pop!' - out it comes. And then a little bird can do almost anything!

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A small gem.” (Publishers Weekly )

About the Author

Ruth Krauss, a member of the experimental Writer's Laboratory at the Bank Street School in New York City in the 1940s, imaginatively used humour and invented words to create some of the very first books for children that highlighted the child's inner life. She collaborated with some of the greatest illustrators in children's literature, including Maurice Sendak, who described her as a 'giant' in children's literature, and her husband, Crockett Johnson. / Crockett Johnson was the author and illustrator of the popular American comic strip, Barnaby. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Library Binding: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (January 18, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060760060
• ISBN-13: 978-0060760069
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,027,482 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

This outstanding American illustrator and author was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1928, the son of Jewish immigrants from Poland. Sendak's career as an illustrator began after a stint as a window dresser. He illustrated more than 40 books between 1951 and 1962. Where the Wild Things Are--the book that made Sendak's name internationally, appeared in 1964, and its popularity has never waned.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every bit as good as The Carrot Seed!, May 13, 2005

By 

Lydia K. (New England, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Happy Egg (Hardcover)

A year ago I went looking for this book, which turned out to be long out of print. In fact, the very knowledgeable bookstore staff I spoke to doubted its very existence! The Carrot Seed is a beloved classic, but its close sibling The Happy Egg had been strangely forgotten. I'm glad to see it back.

The two books are by the same husband-and-wife team, and share a natural kinship in their gentle rhythms, simple illustrations and surprisingly stirring, life-affirming conclusions. The Happy Egg is a book I can gladly read over and over, and over, to my toddler.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars don't believe the hype - keep your $, May 19, 2008

By 

Elizabeth (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Happy Egg (Hardcover)

I read several reviews of this book and also saw that it was featured in a parenting magazine as a great book for toddlers. I insisted on getting it for my 2 1/2 year old son for Easter, and I searched everywhere for it. Waste. Of. Time.

This book is so dull, and my son is not captivated by it at all. Half of the pages read "And he sat." "And he sat." "And he sat." Honestly, I could make up a story with so few words, drag it out longer, skip the illustrations, and save my money. The story is not a good one, and the illustrations did little to inspire my toddler. I will not be recommending this to anyone.

5.0 out of 5 stars So simple it's almost stupid, but really funny and charming at the same time, October 15, 2009

By 

K. Jones (Olathe, KS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Happy Egg (Hardcover)

This is a strange little book. On one hand, the story's so simple that it's almost stupid, on the other hand it's charming and that simple-stupidness has always struck me as really, really silly and funny. I suppose it matters more what kids think of it, though. Not so much what I think of it. My kids both think it's wonderful. So, 5 stars for me.