What's in the Egg, Little Pip?

by Karma Wilson, Jane Chapman (Illustrator)

Overview

A new egg has just arrived, and Little Pip's parents are so excited! They tell Pip that this new change will soon make their family "just right"—but Little Pip isn't so sure. She thinks their family is already just right, and a boring old egg certainly can't make it any better! It seems to Pip that all anyone cares about is that EGG. Pip soon learns to help as much as she can, and through the long, harsh winter, she and Papa guard the egg, keeping it warm. But she still can't figure what all the fuss is about...until the day when CRACK! the egg breaks open and Pip joyfully meets her baby brother Sam for the very first time!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416942047
Publisher:	Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication date:	12/21/2010
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.34(w) x 11.30(h) x 0.39(d)
Lexile:	AD540L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 5 Years

About the Author

Karma Wilson is the bestselling author of several picture books, including the Bear Books series; Where Is Home, Little Pip?; and A Dog Named Doug. Karma lives in Montana.

Jane Chapman is the illustrator of over one hundred books for children, including Dilly Duckling by Claire Freedman and I Love My Mama by Peter Kavanagh, as well as Karma Wilson’s Bear Books series and Mortimer’s Christmas Manger. She lives with her family in Dorset, England. Visit Jane at JaneKChapman.com.

Editorial Reviews

Little Pip, in her third outing, feels snubbed due to the "large, white oval" at her mother's feet. Pip commiserates with her friend, Merry, whose family is also expecting a chick. But when Chapman's acrylic landscape is slashed with sleet, Pip helps keep the egg warm, and on a sunny day when her brother cracks through the egg, Pip names him Sam. The displacement issues addressed are typical, but translate well to this tight-knit penguin community; readers awaiting a similar arrival will relate to Pip's mixed emotions. Ages 3–7. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

PreS-Gr 2—In this third book about Little Pip, the young penguin wonders what is so special about the egg her parents are so carefully protecting. She experiences all the feelings that single children have when they discover that they are about to have a new sibling. Her parents don't seem to have time or room for her any more, and "I should be enough," she thinks. Her best friend, Merry, also cannot understand what the fuss is all about in her family. The two go off to play, but when a storm comes, Pip rushes back to help her father keep the egg warm and safe. When it finally hatches, she welcomes her baby brother and is happy to see all of the other penguin families with their new members. Lovely full-bleed illustrations in soft colors depict the rough texture of the Antarctic land and the harsh weather. Little Pip's expressions and body language reflect her moods of curiosity, insecurity, concern, and joy. Wilson and Chapman have once again produced an endearing book about a situation with which children can easily identify. Pip, Pip, hooray!—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

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