First the Egg (Caldecott Honor Book and Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book (Awards)) (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Beginning with the die cut on the cover, which completes the title and hides a secret underneath, this delivers a string of delightful surprises as Seeger crisply explores the stages of development in the natural world and, then,  how a story grows. Thickly textured backgrounds provide visual energy for minimalist images that cleverly incorporate additional die cuts. “First the EGG,” reads the text on the opening spread, which pictures the egg through an appropriately shaped hole. When children flip the page, they’ll find a fuzzy chick and its adult counterpart—“then the CHICKEN.” So it goes through the life stages of frog, flower, and butterfly. Suddenly, Seeger turns away from nature. “First the WORD,” she writes, “then the STORY.” “First the PAINT . . . then the PICTURE,” accompanied by a painting that pulls the book together, showing chicken, flower, frog, and butterfly enjoying a beautiful day together. A funny finale sets up the book’s beginning. Pages are sturdy enough to support poking fingers and repeated viewings, both of which are guaranteed. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Stephanie Zvirin

Review

"...The best picture books create a world in themselves, and this tour de force is one of them..." -- Horn Book-starred review

"...Another perfectly pitched triumph from an emerging master of the concept book..." -- Kirkus Reviews-starred review

"...Another perfectly pitched triumph from an emerging master of the concept book..." " -- Kirkus Reviews-starred review

"...The best picture books create a world in themselves, and this tour de force is one of them..." -- Horn Book-starred review

"...Vibrant...Fresh and inviting...With its even rhythm, clearly expressed concept, and strong visuals, this book would make a great read-aloud for preschoolers." -- School Library Journal - Starred Review

Winner-Best Illustrated, 2007- "First the Egg arrives as an eye-catching reminder that learning can be made sheer delight." -- New York Times Book Review

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press (September 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596432721
• ISBN-13: 978-1596432727
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,668 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This author is a stand out, January 2, 2008

By	library lady "library lady" (california) - See all my reviews

I have become a big fan of this author's work, which is saying a lot as I am, I'm told, very hard to please. There is a combination of ingenuity and beauty in this book that is almost impossible to describe without book in hand. Very useful for teaching transformation and the way Seeger works in the concept of creativity is no less than brilliant. I highly recommend this book to anyone from age 3 to 90.Dog and Bear (Neal Porter Books) (Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winner-Best Picture Book) (Awards))The Hidden Alphabet (Ala Notable Children's Books. Younger Readers (Awards)) (Neal Porter Books)Lemons Are Not Red

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First the Egg, January 20, 2008

By	Mrs. Linda Roy "Loving Grandmother" (Fayetteville, NC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We purchased this book for our 3 yr. old grandson for Christmas, and it was wonderful. He just loved it and ask us to read it to him every night before he went to bed, and during the day also. It is easy to read, and is a good teaching tool.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Which comes first?, February 14, 2008

By	Reading is my hobby - See all my reviews

A lovely book for young people, with die cut pages that explain some of life's mysteries in an age appropriate way.