The Happy Egg

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.

When I was a young child, I owned this book. I won't say it was my all-time favorite, but I did like it. Today, it holds a special place in my heart, because I learned to read with this book. Children don't always need the busiest, most colorful and rhyming book out there. Its simplicity is what made me think that I could master it. My parents had read it to me so much that I quickly learned it by heart. And then I would play with it and pretend I could read it on my own. And finally, one day, as I was play-reading it, it suddenly all came together for me. The words just "clicked" in my mind, like learning to ride a bicycle. I understood how to read! Today, I am a mother to a 2 year old voracious 'play-reader' and I can't wait to get this book for my child. Perhaps someday the words will "click" for her too!

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.