Hoppi is finally old enough to decorate his first egg for the annual competition: the bunny with the winning egg gets to help the Easter Bunny hide eggs for boys and girls to find on Easter morning. Yet, he can’t think of what kind of egg to create. Thus begins his tour through the woods,looking for inspiration in the eggs of others, whether made of chocolate, wood,or mechanical parts. Still unsure, Hoppi rests beneath a tree, and the decision is made for him when hungry squirrels push one of Robin’s eggs out of her nest (as clever readers who follow the scene unfolding in the top frame of each spread will decipher before it happens). Hoppi braves wind, weather, and predators to protect the tiny egg. The result: the Easter Rabbit declares his egg – broken when the baby bird hatches – the most special egg of all. Naturalists (and purists)will complain that the baby bird is depicted as fully feathered upon hatching,but clever teachers will use Brett’s artistic license as a springboard for discussion rather than a reason to detract from the tale.  Adults and children alike will marvel at the detail in the illustrations, especially in the side frames: the wide variety of eggs created from diverse materials, the rabbits’ clever use of natural materials for decorating their homes and clothing, and the subplot of the robins. The final stroke of fun is the gatefold heralding the arrival of the Easter Bunny’s carriage, pulled by heavily feathered Cochin hens festively adorned with flowers, feathered headdresses, and bows. A sweet story just in time for spring and Easter, Hoppi will inspire greater attention to the delicate balance in nature as well as alternatives to the traditional methods of decorating eggs. A great book for lap reading, the details in the art make this a challenge in story time groups.

P.S. Jan Brett is a nice lady I had the privilege of meeting the day my nephew Joshua was born.  He grew up believing all books came signed by the author and inscribed to him.  Her Web site is www.janbrett.com, she has all sorts of printable materials and terrific videos – including “How to Draw” videos.  If you want to see her *huge* chicken barn and hear about her inspiration for her stories, be sure to check out the video “Jan’s Chickens and Her Art.”

The Easter Egg