What do you think?
Rate this book
Two Speckled Eggs
A birthday party sets the scene in this sweet and relatable story for anyone who’s ever been the odd girl out.
It’s Ginger’s birthday, and she has to invite all the girls in her class to her party, including Lyla Browning. Lyla isn’t like the other girls: she smells like old leaves, doesn’t talk much, and once brought a tarantula to school for show-and-tell. On the day of the party, Lyla is much earlier than everyone else. But even after the others arrive, Ginger’s party doesn’t go quite the way she’d hoped: some of the girls change the rules to the games, and no one likes her silver and gold birthday cake — except Lyla. By the time Lyla gives Ginger her present — a tiny homemade nest with two delicious malted-milk eggs — Ginger begins to wonder: is being different really such a bad thing?
It’s Ginger’s birthday, and she has to invite all the girls in her class to her party, including Lyla Browning. Lyla isn’t like the other girls: she smells like old leaves, doesn’t talk much, and once brought a tarantula to school for show-and-tell. On the day of the party, Lyla is much earlier than everyone else. But even after the others arrive, Ginger’s party doesn’t go quite the way she’d hoped: some of the girls change the rules to the games, and no one likes her silver and gold birthday cake — except Lyla. By the time Lyla gives Ginger her present — a tiny homemade nest with two delicious malted-milk eggs — Ginger begins to wonder: is being different really such a bad thing?
Audio
First published April 8, 2014
1 person is currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer K. Mann
13 books24 followersJennifer K. Mann was an architect before turning to children’s books full time. Two Speckled Eggs is the first book that she has written and illustrated. She lives on an island near Seattle with her husband, children, cats, dogs, and chickens.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
March 28, 2021
At her birthday party, Ginger finds a real kinship with an odd classmate she hadn't even wanted to invite. A fun tale of two souls discovering one another. I also enjoyed the author's illustrations.
November 6, 2014
Ginger's mom makes her invite all of the girls from her class to her birthday party - even oddball Lyla. Ginger discovers that she and Lyla share interests and they become friends. This is a lovely story about kindness, individuality, and friendship.
May 1, 2014
Sometimes the best friends can be the most unlikely ones. Give everyone a chance.
January 13, 2015
None of the kids wanted anything do with her. Lyla Browning was different. She wasn't like the other girls since she liked spiders, kept mostly to herself, and rarely had much to say. Yet, Ginger's birthday was a couple of weeks away and her mom gave her an ultimatum. She could invite all of the girls or none of them. Without friends, the party wouldn't be any fun, so Ginger invited everyone. While Lyla was investigating with her magnifying glass, the other girls immediately started playing party games and ruined them. When it came time for cake, the girls started complaining about Ginger's favorite cake, except Lyla. As Ginger opened her gifts, the best one came from Lyla: two speckled, malted-milk eggs in a handmade bird's nest. If Lyla hadn’t been invited to the party, it would have been a disaster.
Birthdays are meant to be filled with fun, joy, and laughter with loved ones and friends. Ginger never realized that she could have so much in common with someone she least expected to befriend. Two Speckled Eggs is a kindhearted story about unexpected friendships and a celebration of being unique. Through the use of digital collage, pastel colors, and rounded images, Mann's characters and scenes pop out and invite the reader to the birthday party. People that like cake and malted-milk eggs, as well as students in pre-kindergarten through third grade, will find this book uplifting and motivational as they continue to meet new people and make new friends.
Birthdays are meant to be filled with fun, joy, and laughter with loved ones and friends. Ginger never realized that she could have so much in common with someone she least expected to befriend. Two Speckled Eggs is a kindhearted story about unexpected friendships and a celebration of being unique. Through the use of digital collage, pastel colors, and rounded images, Mann's characters and scenes pop out and invite the reader to the birthday party. People that like cake and malted-milk eggs, as well as students in pre-kindergarten through third grade, will find this book uplifting and motivational as they continue to meet new people and make new friends.
July 21, 2014
Average little girl makes friends with a super-cool nerd she didn't want to invite to her birthday party when the party goes south. Good portrayal of party anxiety and the weird ways your classmates can ruin everything when you are in 2nd grade (not following the rules of games or appreciating your birthday cake, f'rinstance).
April 29, 2014
A sweet story about a girl who doesn't want to invite the "strange" girl from her class to her birthday party, but they might have more in common than she thought. A great book about friendship and getting to know those around you.
December 25, 2014
Ginger doesn't want to invite Lyla to her birthday party. Lyla was weird. But her mother insists. However, maybe weird people can make the best friends.
May 19, 2016
Second read 2016. Lovely, emotional connections, vested in journey as a reader.
April 9, 2018
Ginger is a little upset when her mom makes her invite ALL the girls in her class to her birthday party. Lyla Browning is NOT someone she wants to associate with - what a strange girl! But she decides she'd rather have ALL the girls at the party rather than NONE of them. Lyla Browning arrives first and Ginger is relieved when the other girls show up, but she's not as happy when they change the rules to her birthday games, and fail to appreciate her birthday cake. When Ginger unwraps Lyla's gift to her, she realizes that they're more alike than she thought, and they spend the rest of her party together pretending to be birds as they peck at leftover birthday cake. People can surprise you, as Ginger learns, and friends come in many interesting packages.
November 2, 2020
Ginger is having a birthday party and she wants to invite all the girls in her class, except Lyla. Her mum tells her she can invite all the girls or none of them. Ginger decides to invite them all and throughout the party, realises that Lyla is the most fun to be around.
A great story about inclusion and friendship, teaching children that just because someone seems different, it doesn't mean they should be left out or can't be a great friend. I would read the book with FS-year 2 children and have discussions about what makes a good friend, thinking about Ginger and Lyla's actions and how they are feeling at different points of the story.
A great story about inclusion and friendship, teaching children that just because someone seems different, it doesn't mean they should be left out or can't be a great friend. I would read the book with FS-year 2 children and have discussions about what makes a good friend, thinking about Ginger and Lyla's actions and how they are feeling at different points of the story.
April 27, 2020
This book gets right to the point. No party unless you invite everyone. Of course that assumes that you live in a place where children have birthday parties. Its a cute story and based on the dedication makes me think it might be a bit autobiographical? It does cover a lot of the feelings children and even adults have when a party gets too big. Others run the show, no one likes the food, friends found in strange ways. I would definitely present this to a class.
November 21, 2018
This charming story of friendship, almost does not occur. If it were not for Ginger's Mom insisting that all the girls in the class be invited to the birthday party, Ginger and Lyla might not have realized how much they have in common. This sweet story will have you celebrating the oddness in us all.
February 28, 2023
It’s Ginger’s birthday party in two weeks and she wanted to invite every girl in her class except Lyla Browning! This is a great story to teach children about acceptance.
I loved thus book! It was clean, had cute pictures and sent a clear message!
I loved thus book! It was clean, had cute pictures and sent a clear message!
September 23, 2017
First impressions may deceive us. Dare to be different, and dare to give different a chance.
January 24, 2018
Subtle story about finding a new friend.
September 4, 2018
Book shows how birthday parties might not turn out as expected. Also has a friendship theme. Kids enjoyed it.
November 12, 2018
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you: http://www.indiebound.org
December 10, 2018
When you find that seemingly unlikely person that compliments you.
May 11, 2019
Great first few weeks of school #community
May 15, 2019
Beautiful story about friendship
December 7, 2019
A really lovely friendship story - a bit old for us (my son is 2) but one that I could see revisiting when he's older.
April 2, 2021
Kinda weird, but a good story
March 23, 2022
A cute story about being accepting and friendly to the 'odd-one-out.'
August 24, 2017
Two Speckled Eggs, written and illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann, is a story to encourage uniqueness, showing it's okay to not follow the crowd.
Ginger was having a birthday party to which she wanted to invite all the girls in her class at school - all except Lyla. Lyla smelled like old leaves all the time and she didn't talk much. Ginger thought Lyla was weird. But, Ginger's mother wisely said to invite Lyla too or she could invite none of them. Ginger invited Lyla, too.
Lyla was the first guest to arrive at the party. -- Here's where you begin really appreciating Jennifer's illustrations, because you see what Lyla's interests are and how she sets herself apart. -- When all the other girls came they started playing the party games. Ginger soon began feeling disappointed. The other girls didn't play any of the games right, but kind of took over and did things their own way. When it came time for cake, all the girls, except for Lyla, were fussy and prissy about it and wouldn't eat any. They left Ginger and Lyla sitting at the table while they ran off to play. The two girls start to connect when a funny thing happens while they are enjoying cake together.
Later, when Ginger opens her presents her favourite one was from Lyla, who'd obviously put thought into what she wanted to give her. Ginger discovered that, even though Lyla didn't care about being like everybody else, she was more fun and a better friend than all the other girls Ginger had thought she wanted to be around.
Two Speckled Eggs by Jennifer K. Mann is a story to which many children can relate. The illustrations are adorable and wonderfully expressive in their simplicity. In fact, a child can appreciate the story just through the illustrations and not miss anything. It's beautifully done.
Two Speckled Eggs - and don't you love the title? - takes the reader from the hopeful anticipation of a little girl, through her disappointment, and into the realization of a new and unexpected friendship. That friendship shows her it's not a bad thing to be different.
Ginger was having a birthday party to which she wanted to invite all the girls in her class at school - all except Lyla. Lyla smelled like old leaves all the time and she didn't talk much. Ginger thought Lyla was weird. But, Ginger's mother wisely said to invite Lyla too or she could invite none of them. Ginger invited Lyla, too.
Lyla was the first guest to arrive at the party. -- Here's where you begin really appreciating Jennifer's illustrations, because you see what Lyla's interests are and how she sets herself apart. -- When all the other girls came they started playing the party games. Ginger soon began feeling disappointed. The other girls didn't play any of the games right, but kind of took over and did things their own way. When it came time for cake, all the girls, except for Lyla, were fussy and prissy about it and wouldn't eat any. They left Ginger and Lyla sitting at the table while they ran off to play. The two girls start to connect when a funny thing happens while they are enjoying cake together.
Later, when Ginger opens her presents her favourite one was from Lyla, who'd obviously put thought into what she wanted to give her. Ginger discovered that, even though Lyla didn't care about being like everybody else, she was more fun and a better friend than all the other girls Ginger had thought she wanted to be around.
Two Speckled Eggs by Jennifer K. Mann is a story to which many children can relate. The illustrations are adorable and wonderfully expressive in their simplicity. In fact, a child can appreciate the story just through the illustrations and not miss anything. It's beautifully done.
Two Speckled Eggs - and don't you love the title? - takes the reader from the hopeful anticipation of a little girl, through her disappointment, and into the realization of a new and unexpected friendship. That friendship shows her it's not a bad thing to be different.
January 29, 2016
Two Speckled Eggs
Book 3 Text Set
Narrative:
Can you tell me what you think Two Speckled Eggs is about? [Students answer.] {As I open the book to the title page, I will ask the question again.] Does the title page change what you think the book is about? [Students answer.] The list on the page has one name crossed off the list. Ginger is wanting to invite the girls in her class to her birthday party except for Lyla. Why do you think Ginger doesn’t want to invite Lyla? Listen and we will find out.
Opening Moves:
*Prompt predictions based on the title.
*Encourage the students to notice the information in the illustrations.
*Raise questions in the readers’ minds.
Rationale:
The librarian at the public library suggested this book to me. Being kind and a good friend means treating everyone the same. A classmate you think is different or weird may surprise you and become the friend you were always looking for.
Book 3 Text Set
Narrative:
Can you tell me what you think Two Speckled Eggs is about? [Students answer.] {As I open the book to the title page, I will ask the question again.] Does the title page change what you think the book is about? [Students answer.] The list on the page has one name crossed off the list. Ginger is wanting to invite the girls in her class to her birthday party except for Lyla. Why do you think Ginger doesn’t want to invite Lyla? Listen and we will find out.
Opening Moves:
*Prompt predictions based on the title.
*Encourage the students to notice the information in the illustrations.
*Raise questions in the readers’ minds.
Rationale:
The librarian at the public library suggested this book to me. Being kind and a good friend means treating everyone the same. A classmate you think is different or weird may surprise you and become the friend you were always looking for.
April 14, 2014
Ginger is reluctant to invite Lydia Browning to her birthday because she's just so odd. After her mother insists that the party be all-inclusive or there will be no party, it turns out that the two girls have quite a lot in common. While the other girls ruin the party and make fun of Ginger's cake, Lyla has a special present for Ginger. The story and illustrations, created in pencil, gouache, and digital collage, are gentle reminders of the advantages of being a little bit different from everyone else. This book would be an excellent one for sharing at the beginning of the year as a community-building introduction.
June 30, 2016
Oh, I loved this beautiful picture book by my lovely friend, Jenn Mann.
It is the story of Ginger who begrudgingly invites weird Lyla Browning to her birthday party. It turns out to be kind of a wild birthday party, not quite how Ginger wanted it, and weird Lyla turns out to be the kind of funny and appreciative friend Ginger didn't even know she needed or wanted.
Jenn's dedication on the last page reads: "For S. D. G., cake maker, memory keeper, cheerleader, mom. Wish you were here to see this."
I'm going to have to ask Jenn about SDG.
It's a really lovely book, and I highly recommend it!
It is the story of Ginger who begrudgingly invites weird Lyla Browning to her birthday party. It turns out to be kind of a wild birthday party, not quite how Ginger wanted it, and weird Lyla turns out to be the kind of funny and appreciative friend Ginger didn't even know she needed or wanted.
Jenn's dedication on the last page reads: "For S. D. G., cake maker, memory keeper, cheerleader, mom. Wish you were here to see this."
I'm going to have to ask Jenn about SDG.
It's a really lovely book, and I highly recommend it!
February 18, 2015
Ginger is having a birthday party and doesn’t want to invite the weird girl, who smells like old leaves and brought a big spider for show and tell to school. Her mom says she has to invite everyone. All the girls show up for her party, games are played, her favorite silver and gold cake is served but why is she about to cry? It's time to open her presents... What is her biggest surprise? For ages 5 - 8. Reviewer #27
May 18, 2014
Ginger isn't sure about inviting Lyla Browning to her birthday party. After all, she brings tarantulas to show-and-tell and smells like old leaves. She's definitely a little weird. However, Ginger's mom said she had to invite everybody or nobody. At the party, Ginger realizes Lyla's special qualities, and they become friends. I enjoyed this book about appreciating differences and keeping an open mind about friendships. Cute illustrations!
May 9, 2014
Ginger wants to invite every girl in her class to her birthday party...except Lyla Browning. Lyla is weird. She does her own thing, and doesn't talk much, and doesn't seem to care what others think. But as Ginger's party progresses, she and Lyla discover they're more alike than they could have anticipated. This story of unlikely friendship is a good reminder that, in judging someone by their appearance, you may be missing out on a potential friend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews