The Runaway Egg

PreS-Gr 1--When Mama Hen leaves the coop, she puts Chick in charge of keeping his baby brother (an egg) safe. But Chick finds his sibling dull, and after some staring and some listening, he decides to take a nap. This is the opportune time for the egg to hatch (some legs, at least) and take off on a dangerous journey through the barnyard. Through the pigsty, over the sheep shearing, and right into the dangerous bull pen the half-hatched sibling goes--with Chick hot on his tail! Chick ultimately saves his little brother, and when the egg hatches, it's clear to Chick what life will be like with a younger sibling around. This story and illustrations, while sweet and simple, are nothing special in the sea of older sibling and new baby titles available. There's no added depth, hidden gags, or even a sense of real peril to give this selection more to offer. VERDICT An additional purchase for libraries looking to beef up their sibling or baby collections.--Shana Morales, Windsor Public Library, CT

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