Hunwick's Egg

My aunt in Australia sent this book for my daughter's 1st Christmas and it has become one of my favorites to read. Since my daughter is only 5 months old, I try to find books with nice simple sentences (not too wordy) and captivating pictures. This book is beautifully illustrated with unusual animals and tells a sweet story. My daughter enjoys it, and from my perspective, it's much more interesting than a lot of baby books--important since I read it over and over again. This book is obviously meant for a bit older child, but I wanted to point out that it is also a good one for babies. She will be able to enjoy it for a long time.

How could I have missed HUNWICK until now? He is a rabbit-eared Bandicoot, one of an endangered species, familiarly known in Australia as the BILBY. *Aussie* reviewer "LIN" won me over by suggesting that "Hunwick's Egg" would be a great Easter gift. Hunwick and his mysterious egg become very special friends but the egg does not hatch. They are scrutinized by a collection of the weirdest animals you ever yearned to hug: a cockatoo, an echidna (resembling a porcupine), and the hairiest of emus who could benefit from a bit of *Bryll Cream* . . . Hunwick is all heart and reaches out to readers with the most irresistible eyes to ever appear on your radar screen! But still the egg does not hatch. The plant life is gorgeous, drawn ever so delicately in watercolor pencils. I am most captivated by a plant resembling the eucalyptus, and other green wildflowers. After referring to my dictionary I felt tricked into falling for a RAT, of all things. I don't want to believe what my faithful reference says about this darling creature! The more important reality is that HAPPINESS CAN ERUPT FROM THE MOST UNEXPECTED OF RELATIONSHIPS. It is remarkable how loneliness vanishes when you can share your burrow. Reviewer mcHAIKU recommends that you make sure you have an Easter Basket large enough to accommodate this precious book.

The illustration is fabulous, and the relationships between the animals is very dear. Hunwick's love of the egg, despite its faults, says a lot about acceptance.

Mem Fox has done it again! Hunwick's Egg is a lovely book - I bought it for my children for Easter - In Australia, the Easter Bilby has become as well known as the Easter Bunny! The illustrations are fabulous and look very much like the illustrations in Koala Lou, also illustrated by Pamela Lofts. I heard Mem Fox in a radio interview commenting that Pamela Lofts travelled to Central Australia in order to ensure the accuracy of her animal illustrations, right down to the ants! Well she certainly did a wonderful job. The story is very engaging with a little 'secret' revealed at the end. A lovely book to add to your collection and a great Easter gift.