Egg-napped!

by Marisa Montes

eSchool-Grade 2--Montes takes children on an amusing romp in rhyme through the great outdoors, as woodland animals of all sorts scamper around trying to find Gabbler the Goose's egg, which has disappeared from its nest. After several misadventures, the creatures regroup and, by working together, rescue the egg. "Soon-CRUNCH!/CRACK! from the Egg/popped two legs and a rear./`Count our blessings!' cried Gabbler./`Our Baby is here!'" Against a predominantly light-green background splashed with bright flowers, delightfully humorous watercolor illustrations document the antics, portraying the comical consternation of the various animals with panache. The verses scan well and suit the nature of the story, making a sparkling read-aloud, Egg-citing.-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LANAPOLI, Donna Jo & Marie Kane. Rocky the Cat Who Barks. illus. by Tamara Petrosino. unpaged. Dutton. 2002. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-525-46544-8. LC number unavailable. PreSchool-Grade 2--When Rocky's elderly owner can no longer care for him, the little dog is sent to live in a home with two "little monsters" and five cats that mistreat him. Although he is unhappy and terrified of the other animals, one day he does manage to muster up the courage to rescue two of the cats from the abusive children. To Rocky's surprise, this show of bravery wins him the favor of the five felines. The story effectively captures the animal's anxiety. Through Petrosino's angular cartoon drawings, readers will feel the terrified pup's unhappiness and will be appalled at the meanness of the kids as they prepare to stuff two of the cats into a backpack. Most pages are set against a splash of peach-colored background with white framing. While it isn't clear whether the children have learned a lasting lesson, Rocky has definitely earned the cats' affection.
Cathie E. Bashaw, Somers Library, NY

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Family, Birds, Childrens, Fiction, Friendship

Paperback

First published January 22, 2002

Reviews

[Emily Houtchens · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a ryhming book about a goose egg that rolls away, and the forest animals try to get it safely back to the nest.
I liked this book. The wording was clever and the illustrations were very expressive and incorporated into the text in a fun way.
I think this would be a great book to teach ryhming/to introduce poetry at a lower level.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. & Mrs. Gabbler are a goose couple who are excitedly, with their friends, celebrating their first egg. Unnoticed when it rolls away, the egg is thought to have been stolen - or egg-napped. Everyone sets off to rescue the egg. Enjoyable story in rhyme and gorgeous illustrations.

[Jenn Swanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An egg goes missing and the parents try to find it. This story was an interesting one and the illustrations were amusing as well. I enjoyed it probably a little more than my daughter did though.

[Lenae Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book the Gabblers, a husband and wife goose, had their first egg. They invited all of their forest friends over to tell them the news. However, when they were celebrating the exciting news the egg rolled away. Everyone was panicking because it was their child that was lost. The forest animals helped the Gabblers go on a search for their egg and faced some trials to trying to get the egg back.

I thought this book was cute. I liked all of the animals and the descriptive rhyming words.

I think this book could be used to teach kids about teamwork. Some times it takes everyone working together to get a task done.

[Adrianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Will enjoyed it, but I didn't find it as wonderful. Maybe the flying squirrel catching the egg was too out there. Actually, I know what it was... the language. Too many "it's mine!" and "give it back!".

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so impressed with this book. I had a rather rowdy group of 4 & 5 year olds, but they were hushed as the story progressed. They were really into it. Used for Ready to Read Storytime, Easter Eggs Theme.

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story--lots of harrowing moments that kept it exciting and funny.