The Egg

by Britta Teckentrup

Beautiful, whimsical, and entertaining, this book of illustrations by Britta Teckentrup shows eggs in all their fragility, complexity, and variety. Is there anything as simple as an egg? Is there anything as complex? In this gorgeous picture book, Britta Teckentrup portrays eggs through the eyes of an artist. From hummingbirds to the extinct elephant bird, illustrations of the avian world’s smallest and largest eggs demonstrate the variety present in nature. Pastel studies explore the rainbow of soft colors and intricate patterns that make eggs of common birds seem incredibly striking. In Teckentrup’s hands, a scattering of broken egg shells become abstract art; a nest of unhatched eggs suggest the possibility and promise of life. Her studies of songbirds and nests are themselves beautifully composed works of color and line. A lovely meditation on the diversity of eggs, this magnificent book offers hours of lingering pleasure, and becomes fertile ground for conversation and imagination.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Childrens, Science, Nature

96 pages, Hardcover

Published April 2, 2017

About the author

Britta Teckentrup was born in Germany and moved to England in 1988. She is the author and illustrator of many books for children. She now lives in Berlin with her husband and young son.

Reviews

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik hou echt zo van Britta Teckentrup's tekeningen, ze zijn gewoonweg prachtig, zelfs als ze eieren tekent zijn ze gewoon te mooi. Net alsof je ze zo uit het boek kan grijpen als je dat wilt. Het grootste deel van het boek gaat over vogels en hun eieren, daarna gevolgd door insecten, reptielen, en cloacadieren. Dan is er nog plek voor wat niet-dier-gerelateerde verhalen die ik niet zo spannend vond en waar ik dus voornamelijk naar de mooie illustraties zat te kijken.
Echt een mooi boek, zeker de moeite waard om te kopen/lenen.

[Eline · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐

[Christine Turner]

HCPL Juv Nonfiction 591.468 Tec

Note: This book could work in storytime. When, working with young children, I would suggest reading a few select pages.

Beautiful, whimsical, and entertaining, this book of illustrations by Britta Teckentrup shows eggs in all their fragility, complexity, and variety. Is there anything as simple as an egg? Is there anything as complex? In this gorgeous picture book, Britta Teckentrup portrays eggs through the eyes of an artist. From hummingbirds to the extinct elephant bird, illustrations of the avian world's smallest and largest eggs demonstrate the variety present in nature. Pastel studies explore the rainbow of soft colors and intricate patterns that make eggs of common birds seem incredibly striking. In Teckentrup's hands, a scattering of broken egg shells become abstract art; a nest of unhatched eggs suggest the possibility and promise of life. Her studies of songbirds and nests are themselves beautifully composed works of color and line. A lovely meditation on the diversity of eggs, this magnificent book offers hours of lingering pleasure, and becomes fertile ground for conversation and imagination.

Notes
Britta Teckentrup is the author and illustrator of many adored children's books, including the bestselling The Memory Tree , The Odd One Out , and Grumpy Cat , along with Before I Wake Up... and Oskar Loves... (both by Prestel). Her most recent book on weather phenomena was nominated for Germany's most prestigious children's book award. She lives and works in Berlin.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

What drew me to this title was the author/illustrator and this is the first nonfiction title of hers that I have read. Indeed it does cover a very broad range of information on the egg, from the physical aspects to its use and symbolism for art and religion. The text is very easily understood and all the sentences are subject first followed by the predicate in a very sparse style. Each sentence is a fact related to the egg. Also the physical layout of the book is predominantly a full page illustration paired with a page of facts on one aspect of the egg. I enjoyed the information on eggs related to specific birds, also a page on turtle eggs, as well as some of the symbolism of eggs related to Easter. Also I encountered two new terms: oology and caliology. This title was printed in Slovenia which made me wonder if the text was a translation, however, none of the sparse publishing information indicates that fact.
Definitely a different experience with a children’s title, one which I enjoyed.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastically beautiful illustrations and filled with varied fascinating information. What prevents this substantial and lovey book from earning 5 stars are two failings: THERE ARE NO SOURCE NOTES OR BIBLIOGRAPHY! and the author misses opportunities to included substantive egg-related cultural information about religions other that Christian. There are broad references to "the egg is worshiped around the world..in many creation myths..." but it is only Christian tradition that gets specifics. Eggs have been hung in mosques since before the 13th century and the egg plays an important role in the Jewish Passover Seder plate.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teckentrup covers bird eggs & nests, reptiles & fishes more briefly, eggs in folklore and religion with an engaging narrative (well selected facts) and beautiful illustrations on heavy, thick paper -- a beautiful book to hold and spend time with.

No mention of a translator. Is it translated??
From the spellings, it looks like it was translated for a British audience. Just wish a translator had been listed, unless the author did it herself.

[Alicja Niedbalska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spodziewałam się czegoś więcej, niż krótkich historyjek bez zagłębiania się w szczegóły. Książka pewnie byłaby świetna dla dzieci oraz w wersji papierowej - na kindle ilustracje nie wybrzmiały w pełnej krasie tak, jakby mogły na papierze :)

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, easy-to-read non-fiction for primary school children.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful! Great illustrations and a harmonious design make for a pleasing and factual read just right for school-age children of any age.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating information, beautiful illustrations. Extremely meandering in organization.

[Kirsten Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple, yet detailed and comprehensive look at the miraculous egg. Extraordinary illustrations. Not just for young children!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning!!

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful. For children (and adults) who devour facts about nature and animals, this is a great book! Some natural history, biology, ornithology, and a whole lot of visual intrigue.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An artful book about the science, mythology, and historical culture of eggs.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers a range of facts about eggs. Fascinating themes and pictures make this a book you read slowly and absorb. Beautiful illustrations and sentence structures that feel almost poetic.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great information about the egg.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I am interested in eggs and birds more than I was before great introduction to this topic

[A Yusuf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much and now I'm obsessed with eggs. I need to own a copy of this book.

[An · Rating 3 out of 5]

Niet voor kinderen en niet voor volwassenen, maar een begeesterende verzameling zaken over eieren.