Is This . . . Easter?: (A Playful Story of Easter Holiday Traditions for Kids Ages 2-5)

Helen Yoon’s Is This . . . ?

by Helen Yoon

What’s the deal with all the eggs? With her trademark visual humor and comic timing, Helen Yoon takes a look at a puzzling holiday tradition.

Look, an egg! An egg left by a bunny! What does that mean? It means it’s time to celebrate . . . Easter! Or is it time to celebrate breakfast? In Helen Yoon’s scenario, a difference of opinion arises between excitable pups, and the egg bearer (and ultimate squabble settler) is, naturally, an enormous, Zen-like bear wearing tiny bunny ears. As the bear demonstrates, whether it’s decorating eggs or eating them, Easter is kind of . . . delicious! Helen Yoon’s fresh and hilarious take on the Easter holiday—part of a quirky new series of picture books—is a delightful blend of bumbling affection and slack-jawed wonder.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Holiday, Humor, Childrens, Storytime, Dogs

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 2, 2024

About the author

Helen Yoon is a freelance illustrator and creative consultant operating in the greater Los Angeles area. Sheepish is her first picture book.

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for my toddler's on Easter day. A fun read between the animals about what they want to do with their eggs.. few friends only know to cook it for breakfast while other friends think to paint it. One couldn't comprehend the other's ideas until they showed their finished product. Each side were amazed by the other.

Thank you Candlewickpress for the opportunity to read and review.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a group of animal friends discover an egg, they argue about want to do with it. Some want to paint it for Easter while the others want to eat it for breakfast. On any other day, an egg would make the perfect breakfast, but not on Easter. Eggs are made for painting on this holiday, not eating. Thankfully, someone else saves the day and shows them a third option.

IS THIS... EASTER is a dialogue driven children's book that is bound to bring laughter to both parents and their children. It celebrates Easter with a lot of humor you usually don't see. I love how in the end, they both get what they want. It's a compromise I never saw coming. The illustrations are pretty basic which actually adds more humor and I love how most of the details are small.


Final Verdict: This unique children's book would make the perfect Easter gift for children aged four and up. I admit I even laughed out loud while reading it.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG: https://bookreadingtic.com/2024/03/12... AND PLEASE FOLLOW ME, THANK YOU!

The Great Easter Egg Controversy!

When five dogs find an egg outdoors, they clash about either eating it, or decorating it for Easter. As they fight back and forth, a large bear wearing bunny ears steps in. He takes the egg, and shows how both sides can be satisfied.

The dogs are really surprised by what the bear does, and it causes both sides to take another look at what they really want.

The author’s one-of-a-kind humor and illustrations are woven throughout this picture book. The overriding lesson to be learned is: some things can be solved so everyone is happy. Take the time to look for a way that all involved will be satisfied.

Children aged three through seven years old will enjoy this five-star book.

Thank you, Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief summary: A bear wearing bunny ears leaves an egg in the grass. The five dogs come across the egg, and all sniff it. Two pups decided it needed to be painted for Easter, while three wanted to make an omelet with it.

They argue back and forth, trying to persuade the other group that their idea is the correct decision. The bear returns and shows them how both sides can be accommodated in resolving their dispute.

Comments:  I think this would be a lovely, humorous Easter read-aloud. Students could decide if the egg should be painted, eaten, or go with what the bear decided.

If you like Helen Yoon's humor and creative writing in this book, she does have another title: "Is This...Winter?"

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When our kids were little, the Saturday of Easter weekend always included coloring the eggs. In Is This Easter? two groups of friends come across an egg. One group wants to paint it because it is Easter. The other group wants to cook it into an omelet. As they argue back and forth about what they want to do with the egg someone new comes along with a new idea.

You can read this aloud to explain to your kids the idea of coloring eggs and how they can be painted AND eaten. In this story, the eggs are blown out to allow the eggs to be cooked and painted. You could also boil the eggs and then paint them as well.

The characters have different ideas for celebrating and their story is an example of how to incorporate everyone’s ideas into one big celebration.

[Meredith Kaupp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bear with bunny ears and a basket carefully places an egg in the grass. Soon, some bear and wolf cubs find the egg and begin to fight over what to do with the egg. The young bears insist on painting the egg because it's Easter, while the wolves claim that is a waste and the egg should be eaten. Finally, the large bear returns and solves the argument in a unique manner. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and really help tell the story.

This cute story will be fun to read aloud and have young listeners talk about what they would do with the egg. Would they rather paint it or eat it? How can the forest animals solve their conflict peacefully?

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

A delightfully fun book to celebrate Easter. When a group of animals happens upon an egg, they know just what to do with it. But it seems they can't quite agree. Will they paint it... or eat it?

Humorous and fun. This was a weird little adventure and I loved it. A sweet representation of compromise and creative thinking to make everyone happy as well as taking interest in others ideas.

Energetic illustrations. Engaging dialogue.

This was such a fun read!

[Lisa Van Gemert | Gifted Guru · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story here is so cute - animals arguing over whether an egg should be cooked or colored at Easter. They have outside help to find a third way that solves the problem. My only issue (that cost a star) is that the animals are hard to recognize. I'm guessing that's intentional, but I don't like confusing children before they can understand the concept. I found myself confused at the rescuer. What kind of animal is this? That distracted me from the story. That said, though, I loved a story being both Easter AND a great lesson!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Yoon cleverly shows an argument between the rabbits and foxes on the cover. Is it an egg to be decorated or one to eat? Both groups take a stand; both believe the other side's idea is silly. Page by page, the argument continues until what seems to be a sleepy bear finds the perfect solution! As young readers watch the change, I wonder if they'll guess the compromise? It's a wonderfully fun book, a story, yes, of Easter!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was odd, but also a charming way to show the power of compromise. The animals find an egg. Some want to paint the egg. Others want to eat the egg. They argue and think the opposing side is crazy. Then along comes a ginormous bear wearing bunny ears. He takes the egg, blows out the insides and scrambles them into an omelet, then paints the emptied shell, turning it into a win-win for everyone.

[Sarah Alamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Sarah, we're so very proud of you for reading this wonderful book! You learned something really special - when friends disagree, you don't have to fight or argue. Instead, you can find a way to make everyone happy, just like the wise bear helped the puppies! Next time you and your friend want different things, try finding a solution that works for both of you. Keep reading, sweetheart! Great job!

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a board book, not quite picture book size. But Is This...Easter? is just right for toddler hands and storytime. Glimmery title that children will love and simple, endearing characters. A great story with just the right amount of text for little ones. A wonderful, pretty and engaging holiday title. Highly recommend!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

First we see a large bear with rabbit ears and a fuzzy tail depositing eggs. Next, a fine group of five pups discover the egg. But what to do with it? Two pups want to paint it; three pups want to eat it! Fortunately, our friendly bear has the perfect solution.
I thought this was very cute! And a nice change from typical bunny egg Easter books.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When two packs of dogs come upon an Easter egg, they argue over what to do with it. I have no idea what huge animal is dressed up as the Easter bunny depositing eggs, and I am sure that young children will be confused by that as well. All in all, it is a rather imaginative book, with a good compromise at the end.

[Dylan Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

So clever! Great for thinking about the notion of compromise, especially when one might not be immediately apparent.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler alert -- The bear saves the day!

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite in this series, but more Easter picture books i never a bad thing at my library.

[Josh Peatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick for a read a loud but very fun. Not what I expected!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing cute hilarious Helen yoon has done it again

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun juxtaposition of aspirations. I found some of the illustrations confusing to decipher.

[GS Dachslove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two sets of animals want to do very different things to an Easter egg they find (eat or decorate). A visitor shows them how to do both! Cute and funny. Short phrases.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty cute

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much story here

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two groups of dogs discover an egg left by an Easter “bunny” and debate whether to eat it or paint it.

[Y.Poston]

so funny! exploration of eggs at Easter

[Maiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO CUTE

[PottWab Regional Library]

E

[Liz Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite Helen Yoon series, I guess. Meh.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think maybe I'm the religious Easter person....or at least not the slack jawed you went there type of reader. Read it and see what you think