Author/Illustrator: Dianna Aston / Sylvia Long
Publisher/Date: Chronicle Books / 2006
Genre/Audience: Nonfiction / Preschool and up
Themes: Eggs, biology, natural world
Opening: “An egg is quiet. It sits there, under its mother’s feathers… on top of its father’s feet… buried beneath the sand. Warm. Cozy.”
Why I Love This Book: This book is gorgeous and incredibly informative. Poetic language in simple statement form is supplemented by fact boxes that give the reader an in-depth look at the diversity of eggs on our planet. The author doesn’t limit herself to bird eggs, but includes fish and insects. I love the endpapers. The front shows the eggs and the back shows what has hatched from them!
Resources:
Science lesson for book: http://sciencenetlinks.com/lessons/an-egg-is-quiet/
Author website: http://diannahaston.com/
Illustrator website: http://www.sylvia-long.com/
Video of hummingbird egg hatching (a bit long, but some great shots of the tiny nest, even tinier eggs and hatchlings, and the mother feeding the babies): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnJg1zDduUM
Video of ostrich laying an egg: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgi9kyynQ10
For more links to Perfect Picture Books, a collection of bloggers who contribute at Susanna Leonard Hill’s site, click here.
My son Arthur loves this series! (An Egg is Quiet, A Seed is Sleepy and A Butterfly is Patient) They are wonderful sit and look at books, no reading needed to enjoy them. I often find them among the pile of books in his bed - the highest tier on the Arthur book rating system. Great choice this week!
ReplyDeleteLaura, this sounds like a very interesting series and a great way to talk about nature with kds. The theme is so simple, but very powerful. Like your choice!
ReplyDeleteI love this sort of creative nonfictional nature series. I am not aware of this one, so many thanks for introducing me to it.
ReplyDeleteA series of books. Even better.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fantastic, Laura! I hope Kirsten gets over here to see it - it's right up her alley :) I love the combination of fact with the poetic language. Thanks so much for adding this one to our list!
ReplyDeleteYes, I love this one. It is definitely a beautiful pb. I'm still wondering why it was catalogued in the nonfiction section, instead of the EASY section. It IS most definitely a picture book, even though it is nonfiction.
ReplyDeleteBe sure and take the QUIZ on my blog.
I like these books. I like how they tell about a science subject in an interesting way. Great PPBF pick and great resources!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful book. I have added it to my need to read list. Thanks for the great review.
ReplyDeleteThe cover art is beautiful! If the inside is as gorgeous as the outside, I know we will love it!
ReplyDeletethis sounds like a great learning tool for kids in school. the artwork looks lovely... thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLaura...this sounds like a wonderful book to address nature with young kids. From the synopsis, the illustrations must be amazing. Would love to get a copy. :) Thanks for including such a wide array of resources...will have to take the time to watch the videos. :)
ReplyDelete