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Little Pip

What's in the Egg, Little Pip?

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A new egg has just arrived, and Little Pip’s parents are so excited! Little Pip doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about—it seems like all anyone cares about is that boring old egg. Still, when danger strikes, Pip learns to help as much as she can. After a long, harsh winter, the egg finally cracks open, and Pip is thrilled to meet her baby brother, Sam, for the very first time! Lyrical text and charming illustrations illuminate this heartwarming exploration of the uncertainties children experience as their families expand.

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2010

2 people are currently reading
56 people want to read

About the author

Karma Wilson

105 books521 followers
Karma Wilson grew up an only child of a single mother in the wilds of North Idaho. Way back then (just past the stone age and somewhat before the era of computers) there was no cable TV and if there had been Karma could not have recieved it. TV reception was limited to 3 channels, of which one came in with some clarity. Karma did the only sensible thing a lonely little girl could do…she read or played outdoors.

Playing outdoors was fun, but reading was Karma’s “first love” and, by the age 11, she was devouring about a novel a day. She was even known to try to read while riding her bike down dirt roads, which she does not recommend as it is hazardous to the general well being of the bike, the rider, and more importantly the book. Her reading preferences were fantasy (C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, etc…) and historical fiction (L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc…). Those tastes have not changed much.

Karma never considered writing as a profession because her mother was a professional writer which made it seem like mundane work. At the age of 27 she realized that she still loved well-written children’s books of all kinds, from picture books to young adult novels. By that time Karma was a wife and the mother of three young children. Trips to the library with her kids were a combination of emotions…a good book meant fun for all! But so many of the books weren’t what her children wanted to listen to.

Then a tax refund changed everything. With the money the family decided to invest in a computer. Karma was forced to learn to type. Combining her desire to make the expensive computer pay for itself, her new-found typing skill, and her love of children’s literature, Karma started writing for children. She wanted to put a few more good books on the library shelves and pay off that computer! Countless rejections and three years later Karma was finally accepted by book agent Steven Malk (who had already rejected her once, which she never lets him forget). Her first book, Bear Snores On, was released in 2002. The computer was paid for!

Since then Karma has had more than 30 books accepted for publication. Many of those are on the shelves of libraries and bookstores around the world. Her books have received numerous state and national awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and a few have made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list. Karma sincerely hopes that her books bring joy to children and families everywhere.

Karma writes humorous, rhythmic picture books for the very young, and humorous and wistful poetry for the primary grades.

These days Karma lives with her handsome husband Scott, and her three not-so-young-anymore children, two dogs, two chickens and one cat on some modest but lovely acreage in NW Montana. Her hobbies include reading (of course), photography, baking, yoga, and a passion for Mixed Martial Arts.

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5 stars
39 (18%)
4 stars
67 (31%)
3 stars
95 (44%)
2 stars
9 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Penguins Class.
14 reviews2 followers
March 6, 2019
"I like how the penguin was furry, if it was here and I could choose to have that penguin I would shout Y-E-S! and then I would literally hug the penguin"
"First he didn't like the egg then he loved the egg"
"Because the story was very very good. I especially especially loved the ending when the chicks hug"
173 reviews2 followers
November 20, 2017
I loved the pictures in this book! They were full of details that helped move the story along. I also liked how little Pip encourages her friend to protect their egg too, just like she was doing for her egg sibling.
Profile Image for Julia.
295 reviews6 followers
December 13, 2013
I wasn't expecting much - my son loves penguins and panda bears and to be honest I thought we had read it all. As far as the science about taking care of penguin eggs my son was familiar with it, but that aside the story of wanting to be little and wanting to help and anticipation was really well done here.

I don't usually encourage books where the main character is dreading a new baby since I think most kids like the idea of a new brother or sister unless taught not too. However, this would be good for after the baby arrives when big brother or sister feels a little put out. I think the story is empowering for kids and it is just well written which is rare in children's books about children's feelings.

Profile Image for The Library Lady.
3,877 reviews672 followers
February 19, 2011
Don't hand this out as a "new baby" book for a toddler, or give it to them as a gift. But a 3 year old who is a good listener, or a 4 or 5 year old (or even older) will enjoy the story and the art.

The "Pip" books are longer than Wilson/Chapman's "Bear" series, with no rhyme to the text and complex stories. It's anthropomorphic of course, but just enough to allow a kid to relate without making these penguins anything other than penguins! The art work is lovely--penguins may all look alike at a glance, but here they have personality and there is action in every line. Another terrific series from this team.
Profile Image for Abbey.
997 reviews3 followers
June 19, 2012
I love the Bear books by Karma Wilson, but we were disappointed in the Pip books. Halfway through Aaron yelled, "The END!"
64 reviews
Read
April 30, 2024
Intended Audience
This book is suitable for children the ages of 5 and up.
Key themes
This story is about little Pip who does not comprehend what all the chaos is about in his opinion everyone cares about the uninterested old egg. When danger comes Pip tries to assist as much as possible after a very long winter the egg finally opens, and Pip is very happy to meet his baby brother named Sam.

Why I chose this book for my library
I chose this book for my library because I think that my future students will become very interested in reading the book and I think it is a marvelous story to read to my future students.
Profile Image for Becky B.
9,280 reviews181 followers
March 27, 2018
Little Pip is a bit put out that Mama and Papa are all excited about the new egg. She's also upset that they can't do fun things together because someone must always take care of the egg. But when a storm threatens the egg she rushes to help, and when the egg finally reveals what was inside Little Pip decides it might be ok after all.

A good pick for a little one expecting a new baby brother or sister and is begrudging the changes happening in the family.
Profile Image for Olivia S.
781 reviews8 followers
April 24, 2018
Kind of a cute story about a young penguin whose parents have a second egg. Pip doesn't want an addition to the family, and doesn't see what all the fuss is about. I like that the book focuses on sibling jealousy and mom and dad penguin sharing the parenting duties (as penguins do, and humans should!). A bit long, with an overly simplified ending.
Profile Image for Morgan Echtenkamp.
226 reviews7 followers
July 26, 2017
This was such a cute book. It would be great for a family expecting a new baby too.
Profile Image for Susan.
2,445 reviews73 followers
December 10, 2019
This one is the typical type of books parents read to children expecting new baby siblings, except starring penguins. It is cute and the illustrations are cute.
Profile Image for Natalie L..
25 reviews7 followers
Read
January 26, 2021
This would be a cute book to introduce a child to a little brother or sister.
Profile Image for Tapani Aulu.
4,134 reviews16 followers
June 3, 2024
Tavallinen tarina pikkusisaruseten tulemisesta, tällä kertaa pingviinien kautta.
Profile Image for Jenni.
403 reviews
September 5, 2014
I love penguins, so I was drawn to this book with its beautiful cover. The story is about a young penguin who doesn’t understand why her parents are obsessed with the new Egg they have – they’re so focused on keeping it warm and safe, they don’t have time to play with her or to even think about anything that isn’t the Egg. Slowly but surely she becomes more involved with the Egg, her instincts take over but she still thinks the Egg is unnecessary. The ending is as expected, but it’s very lovely and heart warming.

I liked the illustrations in this book, though I was interested by the fact that Pip is a dark inky blue colour rather than the black like all of the other penguins in the book. I wonder if this is to keep the focus on her, and also to help distinguish her from the other penguins – the style is very natural rather than cartoony so the penguins look like actual penguins.

This book will of course make a really good book to share with a child that has a sibling on the way though its length probably means it would be best suited to slightly older children, maybe 4+ as there’s a lot of story to sit through. This is the third book that features Little Pip, I’d certainly like to read the other two.
Profile Image for Angela.
186 reviews21 followers
March 2, 2012
This book would best suit k-3 grade with reading level and content but can be use in k-5 to introduce different GPS Science Standards. It is also a cute story about a growing family and the first born not ready (at first) for the addition to the family. Things are now different for Pip and he doesn't like it, but in the end he steps up and helps his family and protects his brother. This book covers habitat, family, animal (penguin) behavior, and life cycles. I broke it down by grade level in the following section.
This can be used in kindergarten to introduce the difference between adult and baby animals. In first grade you can use it to cover basic needs of animals. In second grade you can use it to introduce life cycles. In third grade it could be used to introduce the habitats of different organisms and how they depend on each other. In fourth grade it can be used to introduce factors of survival. In fifth grade you can introduce groups and classifications of animals or genetic offspring.
Profile Image for Candice.
1,512 reviews
September 14, 2011
Just when I thought all of Karma Wilson's books rhymed, I found this one. It doesn't rhyme, but Wilson and Jane Chapman, illustrator of the Bear books, have come up with another winner. Little Pip the penguin doesn't know why her parents are making such a fuss over an egg. If Mama isn't sitting on the egg, then Papa is. The egg seems to take up so much time and attention. Their family if three is just perfect. Why do they need an egg? This raises many questions that young children have when a new sibling is expected. Charmingly illustrated, it shows both the angst and the joy that accompany a new sibling.
Profile Image for Alexis Levine.
137 reviews7 followers
March 2, 2012
What's in the Egg, Little Pip? by Karma Wilson would be useful for children in grades second to fifth. This book discusses different environments, animal behavior, and the life cycle as new additions are being added to the family. For science, you can talk about how different species and different things reply on one another to live. You can also teach about classifying animals based on different habitats and transformation.

Profile Image for Guen.
131 reviews
August 30, 2016
This book just didn't work well for me. It had a lot of scientifically accurate things about penguins in it but then there is an older sibling that is still with the family when the new egg is laid. Penguins generally lay one egg a year and the young leave when they are fledged. There would not be any older siblings. I know that children's books aren't always accurate with animal characters but for some reason with all the other scientific stuff in the book this one just felt misleading to me.
Profile Image for Shawn Elswick.
45 reviews
August 28, 2013
This book shows how children react to parents bringing a new brother or sister into the world. This book gives an accurate overview of how some children, who have been an only child, may not want there parents to have another child, taking away some of the first borns spotlight. In the end, you end up loving the brother or sister anyway.
Profile Image for Meg McGregor.
4,080 reviews81 followers
February 5, 2024
Pip can't see what all the fuss is about! It is just an egg! Who cares?

But after growing up a bit, Pip finds out why the egg is so important. It is her new baby brother!

Beautifully illustrated and lovingly written in a sweet and simple style, this book is one you should definitely use when a new sibling is coming into the family.
Profile Image for Tina B.
1,027 reviews
January 19, 2011
Penguins; new sibling; Very good book but a little long for the wee ones, recommend for 5 and older. I really like how the author is using factual information about the lives of emporer penguins as a reflection of the experience of a young child gaining a new sibling.
44 reviews
December 5, 2016
This book is about sharing and jealousy. Little Pip is jealous that she will not be the only child, but she ends up helping when her brother arrives. I could ask my class about how they share with their siblings.
Profile Image for Lori.
2,506 reviews54 followers
January 10, 2012
Will bring it out when we look at Polar Animals in Social Studies. Nice illustrations.
Profile Image for Scarlett.
46 reviews18 followers
July 3, 2012
FRA book -- Excellent book for helping children deal with a new family addition and feelings of jealousy.
171 reviews
July 20, 2016
its was good. the 5 year old liked the end. I liked the educational part of the penguin life and the metaphor in the egg
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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