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The Easter Egg
Jan Brett’s lovable bunny hero, Hoppi, and her remarkable Easter Rabbit will enchant readers as they pore over illustrations filled with dazzling eggs made by Flora Bunny, Aunt Sassyfrass and others. If Hoppi can make the best Easter egg, he will get to help the Easter Rabbit deliver the eggs on Easter morning. But it is not so easy. Discouraged, he goes into the woods to think when a blue robin’s egg tumbles out of its nest. Hoppi keeps it safe and warm until the baby bird hatches, and when the Easter Rabbit arrives, he chooses the empty blue eggshell to reward Hoppi for his kindness.
Spring is everywhere in gorgeous illustrations framed with pussy willows, flowering vines and flowers. Side borders feature busy rabbits making their unusual eggs and, in a border above, the Robin’s family drama unfolds.
A gatefold surprise reveals the Easter Rabbit.
Watch a Video
Spring is everywhere in gorgeous illustrations framed with pussy willows, flowering vines and flowers. Side borders feature busy rabbits making their unusual eggs and, in a border above, the Robin’s family drama unfolds.
A gatefold surprise reveals the Easter Rabbit.
Watch a Video
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 9, 2010
12 people are currently reading
581 people want to read
About the author
Jan Brett
127 books1,035 followersWith over thirty three million books in print, Jan Brett is one of the nation's foremost author illustrators of children's books. Jan lives in a seacoast town in Massachusetts, close to where she grew up. During the summer her family moves to a home in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.
As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I remember the special quiet of rainy days when I felt that I could enter the pages of my beautiful picture books. Now I try to recreate that feeling of believing that the imaginary place I'm drawing really exists. The detail in my work helps to convince me, and I hope others as well, that such places might be real."
As a student at the Boston Museum School, she spent hours in the Museum of Fine Arts. "It was overwhelming to see the room-size landscapes and towering stone sculptures, and then moments later to refocus on delicately embroidered kimonos and ancient porcelain," she says. "I'm delighted and surprised when fragments of these beautiful images come back to me in my painting."
Travel is also a constant inspiration. Together with her husband, Joe Hearne, who is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jan visits many different countries where she researches the architecture and costumes that appear in her work. "From cave paintings to Norwegian sleighs, to Japanese gardens, I study the traditions of the many countries I visit and use them as a starting point for my children's books."
--from www.janbrett.com
As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I remember the special quiet of rainy days when I felt that I could enter the pages of my beautiful picture books. Now I try to recreate that feeling of believing that the imaginary place I'm drawing really exists. The detail in my work helps to convince me, and I hope others as well, that such places might be real."
As a student at the Boston Museum School, she spent hours in the Museum of Fine Arts. "It was overwhelming to see the room-size landscapes and towering stone sculptures, and then moments later to refocus on delicately embroidered kimonos and ancient porcelain," she says. "I'm delighted and surprised when fragments of these beautiful images come back to me in my painting."
Travel is also a constant inspiration. Together with her husband, Joe Hearne, who is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jan visits many different countries where she researches the architecture and costumes that appear in her work. "From cave paintings to Norwegian sleighs, to Japanese gardens, I study the traditions of the many countries I visit and use them as a starting point for my children's books."
--from www.janbrett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
April 9, 2020
I'm not sure why I can never become wholeheartedly a Jan Brett fan. I think some of her illustrations are absolutely fabulous and others are just so-so for me. But there always seems to be something in the stories that doesn't quite sit right with me, and I don't know why...
Here we have an extremely adorable story filled with super cuddly bunnies of various breeds--they are sooo cute--and lots of beautiful eggs. All the bunnies are decorating eggs to show the Easter Bunny and the winner will be able to ride with the Easter Bunny in the Easter Parade. The little bunny wants to participate for the first time but he feels his egg will never be as good as the other ones. His bunny friends give him a little something from each of their craft processes--there are chocolate eggs, Russian eggs, wood-carved eggs... Very generous and kind of them!
But THEN *SPOILERS*
The little bunny helps a mother robin when one of her eggs falls out of the nest--he sits on the egg until it hatches. By the time the parade comes, he doesn't have an egg, but he does have a baby robin! And of course the Easter Bunny is most impressed.
So, it's all very cute and sweet and nice. But, I just felt a little bothered by the fact that all the other bunnies FORGOT about the little bunny while he was sitting on the egg.
Overall, this is a good book and I love the illustrations (there are the usual clever Brett borders, one even includes reference to egg laying mammals!) and it's a better story than most Brett books, but there were just a few things that made me puzzled and keep me from scoring this higher.
Be sure to read the back flap where Jan Brett mentions the different breeds of rabbits she features in the story. I do wish she would have also mentioned a bit about the history behind the different types of Easter eggs featured, too.
Here we have an extremely adorable story filled with super cuddly bunnies of various breeds--they are sooo cute--and lots of beautiful eggs. All the bunnies are decorating eggs to show the Easter Bunny and the winner will be able to ride with the Easter Bunny in the Easter Parade. The little bunny wants to participate for the first time but he feels his egg will never be as good as the other ones. His bunny friends give him a little something from each of their craft processes--there are chocolate eggs, Russian eggs, wood-carved eggs... Very generous and kind of them!
But THEN *SPOILERS*
The little bunny helps a mother robin when one of her eggs falls out of the nest--he sits on the egg until it hatches. By the time the parade comes, he doesn't have an egg, but he does have a baby robin! And of course the Easter Bunny is most impressed.
So, it's all very cute and sweet and nice. But, I just felt a little bothered by the fact that all the other bunnies FORGOT about the little bunny while he was sitting on the egg.
Overall, this is a good book and I love the illustrations (there are the usual clever Brett borders, one even includes reference to egg laying mammals!) and it's a better story than most Brett books, but there were just a few things that made me puzzled and keep me from scoring this higher.
Be sure to read the back flap where Jan Brett mentions the different breeds of rabbits she features in the story. I do wish she would have also mentioned a bit about the history behind the different types of Easter eggs featured, too.
April 4, 2012
As spring approaches quickly this year, I picked up some spring theme books at the library. I am so happy I picked up The Easter Egg by Jan Brett. This is a beautiful picture book for nursery and primary readers. Brett tells a wonderful story about bunnies who are trying to decorate the best Ester egg with hopes to help the Easter Bunny deliver his eggs. Hoppi feels like he cannot win and gets discouraged. He tends to a robin’s egg that fell from the nest and doesn't realize that he has made the most beautiful Easter egg imaginable! Such a cute story about being a nice person (or bunny he he.) The book is continuously filled with very detailed springy illustrations. Vegetation, flowers, decorated eggs, and fluffy bunnies surely appeal to young children. There are multiple ways to use this book while instructing children. Spring, Easter, and good character are a few things that can be taken from this magnificent story.
April 7, 2019
Hoppi the bunny is determined to make the best Easter Egg this year, in the hopes of being chosen to accompany the Easter Bunny on his annual pilgrimage to hide eggs for the children of the world. As he makes his way through Rabbit Town, he encounters many other rabbits working on their own ovate creations. From Aunt Sassyfrass, who is crafting a delicious and decorative chocolate egg, to Hans Vanderabbit, who has painted a beautiful portrait of the Easter Bunny on his egg, every rabbit appears to have created a small masterpiece. Wandering into the nearby woods, where he stops to rest and think, Hoppi eventually comes to the realization that while he might not create the best egg ever, he must do the best he can. No sooner does he make this resolution, than he is confronted with a small tragedy: a pretty blue egg has fallen from a robin's nest. Abandoning his plans, Hoppi comes to the rescue, keeping the little egg warm until it is time to hatch. Has he lost all chance of being recognized by the Easter Bunny, or will his egg surprise everyone...?
An immensely sweet little tale, one which pairs a heart-warming narrative that feels rather reminiscent of Dr. Seuss's Horton Hatches the Egg , and beautifully detailed artwork, The Easter Egg is a wonderful holiday picture-book, one which takes a fun holiday tradition and adds a little moral depth. I appreciated the message, implicit in Brett's story, that our acts of kindness, and the good things they accomplish in the world, are our best creation - far more important and more beautiful than the greatest work of art. That said, there is no shortage of beautiful art here, and Brett delivers her usual rich array of intricately detailed animal scenes. She utilizes a variety of breeds of rabbit in her depiction of the residents of Rabbit Town, emphasizing the diversity of types found in the lapine world, and costumes her characters in lovely and diverse clothing styles. As always with her books, the side panels in her artwork add to the rich visual feast she has to offer, and enhance the feeling of looking into a fully realized world. Recommended to anyone looking for good picture-books featuring Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny.
An immensely sweet little tale, one which pairs a heart-warming narrative that feels rather reminiscent of Dr. Seuss's Horton Hatches the Egg , and beautifully detailed artwork, The Easter Egg is a wonderful holiday picture-book, one which takes a fun holiday tradition and adds a little moral depth. I appreciated the message, implicit in Brett's story, that our acts of kindness, and the good things they accomplish in the world, are our best creation - far more important and more beautiful than the greatest work of art. That said, there is no shortage of beautiful art here, and Brett delivers her usual rich array of intricately detailed animal scenes. She utilizes a variety of breeds of rabbit in her depiction of the residents of Rabbit Town, emphasizing the diversity of types found in the lapine world, and costumes her characters in lovely and diverse clothing styles. As always with her books, the side panels in her artwork add to the rich visual feast she has to offer, and enhance the feeling of looking into a fully realized world. Recommended to anyone looking for good picture-books featuring Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny.
April 1, 2010
Brett, Jan Easter Egg 32 pages, Penguin Group (USA); Language~G, Sexual Content~G; Violence~G
It is almost Easter and the bunny rabbits are working to complete their eggs for the Easter Bunny to hide. Every year the rabbits worked hard to make the best, most beautiful egg. If the Easter Bunny chooses their egg then they get to help him hide eggs on Easter morning. This is Hoppi’s first year competing to win the coveted prize. He visits all his neighbors to observe them and get some ideas. Hoppi stops in the forest to think about what he will do when a bright blue robin’s egg falls from a tree into a nearby clump of moss. The egg is not damaged but there is no way to get the egg back up to the mother robin. Hopi decides that he must keep the egg warm until it hatches. He takes very good care of this egg. Time passes and he continues to care for the egg. Finally, it is the day the Easter Bunny will arrive. He comes in a magnificent carriage pulled by very plump hens. He looks over all the eggs. . .. has Hoppi missed out?. . . you will have to read the book to find out!
This is another delightful book from renowned author/artist Jan Brett. In traditional Brett artwork, the story is told framed in Springtime flora.
ELM ESSENTIAL Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Librarian
It is almost Easter and the bunny rabbits are working to complete their eggs for the Easter Bunny to hide. Every year the rabbits worked hard to make the best, most beautiful egg. If the Easter Bunny chooses their egg then they get to help him hide eggs on Easter morning. This is Hoppi’s first year competing to win the coveted prize. He visits all his neighbors to observe them and get some ideas. Hoppi stops in the forest to think about what he will do when a bright blue robin’s egg falls from a tree into a nearby clump of moss. The egg is not damaged but there is no way to get the egg back up to the mother robin. Hopi decides that he must keep the egg warm until it hatches. He takes very good care of this egg. Time passes and he continues to care for the egg. Finally, it is the day the Easter Bunny will arrive. He comes in a magnificent carriage pulled by very plump hens. He looks over all the eggs. . .. has Hoppi missed out?. . . you will have to read the book to find out!
This is another delightful book from renowned author/artist Jan Brett. In traditional Brett artwork, the story is told framed in Springtime flora.
ELM ESSENTIAL Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Librarian
April 22, 2015
Classic Jan Brett! The Easter Egg is the story of Hoppi the rabbit trying to decide what kind of egg to get for the Easter bunny before he gets sidetracked.
We don't do the Easter bunny and that kind of stuff here, but my son still liked Brett's illustrations which were spot on in this volume.
We don't do the Easter bunny and that kind of stuff here, but my son still liked Brett's illustrations which were spot on in this volume.
August 2, 2012
Crazy beautiful. You can't believe these illustrations. This is a perfect gift for a child or grandchild who celebrates Easter.
May 2, 2020
A sweet little story of sacrifice with glorious illustrations and a bonus sticker sheet to match! Festive and exquisitely beautiful . . .
April 8, 2022
Warning: There’s a beautiful fold-out page toward the end of the book. There’s very little indication that the page should be opened. Don’t miss this page...and don’t damage the book trying to open it the wrong way. Unfortunately, I speak from experience.
Mother Tongue Notes: Great for Easter/Spring traditions. No religious references. The reading is fairly advanced (3rd class and up), but the pictures help earlier readers to follow several plot lines. Names and traditional egg decoration from several European cultures. I helped the students identify several flowers and trees depicted, and googled photographs to show more detail. Subplot of baby bird hatching can involve life cycle biology vocabulary.
Class 1-3: Draw a page-sized egg. Have students pick 1 word that reminds them of spring and write it in the egg. Color and decorate the egg with the illustrations from the book available for inspiration.
Class 4-6: Write haikus about spring. Students can write the haikus in the middle of a page-sized egg, then decorate the egg with the illustrations from the book available for inspiration.
Mother Tongue Notes: Great for Easter/Spring traditions. No religious references. The reading is fairly advanced (3rd class and up), but the pictures help earlier readers to follow several plot lines. Names and traditional egg decoration from several European cultures. I helped the students identify several flowers and trees depicted, and googled photographs to show more detail. Subplot of baby bird hatching can involve life cycle biology vocabulary.
Class 1-3: Draw a page-sized egg. Have students pick 1 word that reminds them of spring and write it in the egg. Color and decorate the egg with the illustrations from the book available for inspiration.
Class 4-6: Write haikus about spring. Students can write the haikus in the middle of a page-sized egg, then decorate the egg with the illustrations from the book available for inspiration.
March 30, 2021
Illustrations are gorgeous!
April 12, 2019
As usual, the pictures are the real star of this book. Jan Brett's pictures never disappoint. The story however, is just so-so in this one. It is the typical animal learning to use his own gifts instead of imitating others. What I did really like, though, is Hoppi's willingness to give up his own dream (for this year) of winning the Easter Egg contest in favor of helping his friend Mrs. Robin save one of her babies. Hoppi would have to have gone without food/water while he did so. This wasn't addressed in the book, and kids probably won't notice it, so it's not really a big deal, but it bugged me.
This would be a good group read aloud to young elementary age kids but it's too long for my preschoolers. I definitely recommend it as a one-on-one read because the illustrations just beg to be poured over, they are so intricate and detailed and beautiful.
This would be a good group read aloud to young elementary age kids but it's too long for my preschoolers. I definitely recommend it as a one-on-one read because the illustrations just beg to be poured over, they are so intricate and detailed and beautiful.
February 28, 2018
It was okay, but it's the same plot that children's authors drum a constant beat to: you see what everyone else can do, think you can't compete and decide you should just be you.
Ages: 4 - 8
#easter #easterbunny
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
Ages: 4 - 8
#easter #easterbunny
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
March 24, 2021
It's Easter time and Hoppi a young rabbit excited to be old enough to decorate an egg for the Easter Rabbit. He hasn't decided what kind of egg to make and he goes off into the woods to think, but his plans take an unexpected turn. This picture book has a lovely message accompanied by gorgeous illustrations. In Jan Brett's signature style, the side panel illustrations show their own story as well. I learned from the author information that each rabbit featured represents a different breed. I think that's fun. Overall, a great picture book for Easter.
April 16, 2017
Every year the rabbits compete to decorate special Easter eggs. The winner gets to help the Easter Bunny hide the eggs on Easter morning. Hoppi sees the eggs the other rabbits are making, but is having trouble coming up with his own unique idea. Will an act of kindness help Hoppi produce the winning egg?
Very sweet, and absolutely beautiful; this is certainly one of the best children's Easter books - ever!
Very sweet, and absolutely beautiful; this is certainly one of the best children's Easter books - ever!
May 5, 2020
Jan Brett continues to have the most amazing illustrations. Unfortunately my kids are a bit small now to fully appreciate the multiple story lines woven in the side panels, but it will be fun later. The story itself follows a little bunny off to create the perfect easter egg. Of course he is no match for the master artists he encounters. And of course, his egg is the most perfect of all. A sweet Easter story.
January 25, 2021
Illustrated with Jan Brett’s detailed artwork, The Easter Egg tells the story of Hoppi’s first time to enter the Easter Egg contest. All the rabbits decorate eggs, and the rabbit with the most beautiful egg gets to help the Easter Bunny hide eggs for all the children.
The other rabbits happily show Hoppi their work, share their materials, and encourage him. But then he finds Robbin fretting because one of her eggs has fallen from the nest. Can Hoppi help her?
The other rabbits happily show Hoppi their work, share their materials, and encourage him. But then he finds Robbin fretting because one of her eggs has fallen from the nest. Can Hoppi help her?
May 19, 2021
There aren’t many quality Easter theme picture books. Jan Brett has put out many a beloved winter and Christmas book, so this one is a little outside of her most impressive works. The art was still great here with the amazing amount of detail and story within the illustrations. The story is about a young rabbit who wants to make an impressive Easter egg and impress the Easter Bunny. It was ok but it just doesn’t impress me the way other Brett books do.
April 22, 2019
This book is a treasure for adults and children alike. It celebrates art and the many ways an egg can be decorated, from pysanky to wood carving to chocolate molds. Hoppi is given tools to help him make his own creation, but on his quest to make a perfect Easter egg, he comes across a lone robin egg, and decides to take care of it instead. It is precious and an endearing read
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November 14, 2019I love this book for the twist of an ending. All of Jan Brett's books have a little sneak peak of whats coming up or whats happening with a different character while the main picture is happening. Her illustrations are so amazing you could do a read loud of just the pictures. And each book has the amazing opportunity for vocab for the students.
February 12, 2022
"The Easter Egg" is my family's “high bar” for Easter. While everybody is competing to make the best Easter Egg to capture the Easter Bunny’s attention, only Hoppi tends to the fallen robin’s egg in the forest, keeping it warm, and protecting it on the ground. When the Easter Bunny shows up all the animals learn (you guessed it) a valuable lesson.
January 23, 2015
Amazing pictures that flow from one page to the next in true Jan Brett fashion. Great story with a fun ending. Hoppi learns that making a beautiful egg is harder than he thought. He decides that he doesn't have to win. He just wants to make an egg he can be proud of.
February 26, 2017
Love the illustrations! Listened to Jan give a talk about creating her art and books at the Dallas Museum of Art, and then she signed books--she's wonderful! A nice Easter book to add to your Easter book collection.
February 14, 2018
Very sweet story. JB’s illustrations are highly detailed and masterful but for my taste there’s just too much going on visually and each page feels crowded. Wolfie’s class has been reading some of her books which sparked his interest in the rest of her catalogue.
July 1, 2019
Does Jan Brett ever write a bad story? Seriously? This book was so sweet. The lesson of do the best you can, and remember to think of others is put so well. And the artwork. Seriously amazing as always.
April 7, 2015
I tremendously enjoy the artistry of Jan Brett. While her pages are filled with many images, it never appears overcrowded.
In particular, I found this to be one of her finest.
In particular, I found this to be one of her finest.
April 21, 2014
A wonderfully written and gloriously illustrated book that kept a whole class of second graders riveted. High praise indeed.
August 3, 2016
Wonderful illustrations, as is par for the course with Brett.
May 18, 2017
Jan Brett's delightful illustrations of rabbits getting ready for Easter provides an enchanting look at how the Easter bunny gets all of his eggs.
December 10, 2017
As always the pictures in this Jan Brett are beautiful. I love the diversity of the many types of Easter eggs.
March 30, 2018
It was good that [spoiler alert] Hoppi sat on the egg when the egg fell down from the tree. A little birdie came out of the egg, and how many howling creatures came by.
April 7, 2018
Another beautiful book from Jan Brett. The story about the bunny who sticks with his word and keeps a robin's egg warm is sweet. It could spark conversations about doing the right thing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews