Week Seven: An Egg is Quiet

An Egg is Quiet

by Dianna Aston

illustrated by Sylvia Long

Summary

    An Egg is Quiet is an informational book with descriptions of various types of eggs. The author and illustrator show how eggs from different species are different colors, shapes, textures and sizes. The author also provides characteristics of eggs; describing that eggs can be clever because their shells are camouflaged and that eggs can be fossilized. The illustrator shows the reader how organisms grow within the egg. 

APA References

Aston, D. (2006). An egg is quiet. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. 

My Impressions

   An Egg is Quiet, to me, seems to be just that- quiet. The illustrations are not flashy or overdone and the text is simple and straightforward. It has the right amount of science/informational writing so that young children should not feel overwhelmed. I found the illustrations elegant, yet they are still realistic. I think this can remind us that nature is a beautiful and can viewed as an art form. The important thing I think this book accomplishes is showing children that eggs come in all shapes and colors and belong to different kinds of organisms. 

Review

    Patricia Manning of the School Library Journal attributes Dianna Aston's work as "simple" and "readable" with description that are "on the mark." Gillian Engberg of Booklist describes An Egg is Quiet as "beautifully illustrated" and compares it to a "naturalist's diary." The excellent collaboration between Aston and Long results in a book that will "inspire kids to marvel at animals' variety and beauty," Booklist predicts.  

Engberg, G. (2006). An egg is quiet [review of the book An Egg is Quiet]. Booklist. Available from http://www.booklistonline.com/An-Egg-Is-Quiet-Dianna-Aston/pid=1614282

Manning, P. (2006). Preschool to Grade 4 [review of the book An Egg is Quiet]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6340872.html

Library Use

     An Egg is Quiet, could be used in with an activity to encourage nature observation. Children could make a "field journal" out of cardboard and paper and sketch their observations of things in nature, birds, leaves, flowers, eggs, nests, or bugs.