Product Description

An amusing story about a hen that lays eggs with different patterns on them.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #185183 in Books
• Published on: 1992-02-02
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .40" h x 8.80" w x 11.10" l, .85 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 36 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Despite her yellow feathers, the personable Pauline is a hen of a different color--a sensitive fowl unable to "concentrate in all the confusion" of the henhouse. Her eggs, when they do appear, are of assorted vivid designs and colors, influenced by the objects she has just seen. Mrs. Pennywort, the farm's owner, senses an Eastertime gold mine and begins "taking Pauline on field trips for inspiration." (At the museum, Pauline's Mona Lisa egg is a rare treasure.) Nature takes its course, however, and soon kaleidoscopic chicks emerge from the shells. In time Pauline's progeny produce their own coveted eggs, and mother enjoys a well-earned, colorful retirement. Judging from her energetic, tongue-in-cheek text, Auch has adroitly mastered the leap from middle-grade novels to picture books. Her rib-tickling illustrations feature a gangly, Modigliani-necked Mrs. Pennywort, (over)dressed to the teeth; an eminently expressive Pauline; and of course, those spectacular ovoids. One witty scene follows another--Pauline on point watching the ballet (more inspiration), beside a rhinestone-dripping Mrs. P.; the hapless lady desperately trying to glue cracked eggs back together. Eggs-actly right. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Mrs. Pennywort's hen, Pauline, claims she's ``just different'' because she can't lay eggs when she's pressured. When she does produce one, it resembles whatever was in sight at the moment--chicken wire, the sky, a ladybug, a butterfly, flowers, and later on, ballerinas and the Mona Lisa. Mrs. Pennywort realizes Pauline's talent could be quite lucrative, but before the designer eggs can be sold they start to hatch into chicks as multihued as the shells from which they come. The chicks grow up to lay vibrant eggs that would make any mother proud. Large, zany, cartoon-style paintings in bright colors are a perfect match for the comical story line, which is a little disjointed. But while it may not be a literary classic, the book has a kookiness that children will love, and its popularity won't be limited to the Easter season. It may also be used to inspire art projects. A similar theme for a slightly younger audience can be found in Kurt Wiese's Happy Easter (Puffin, 1989). --Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Auch's illustrations for her first picture book have as much humorous verve as her popular books for older children (Mom is Dating Weird Wayne, 1988). Rattled by the other hens' heckling, plump Pauline lays no eggs until she suddenly begins to bring them forth with unique decorations--chicken wire, a ladybug, the sky, or whatever else she's been perusing. Delighted, the farmer (cheerfully bug-eyed, mop-topped Mrs. Pennywort) provides new inspirations, from the flowered family teapot to visits to museums and the ballet. The eggs are sold for Easter, but most hatch before delivery, producing bright-colored chicks that grow up as elaborately patterned chickens. A one-idea story, developed with humor and imagination; the vibrant, comical illustrations are sure to appeal. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.