The Easter Egg

by Jan Brett

Book Overview

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 with his deliveries 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 declares the empty blue eggshell the very best one 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

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039925238X
• ISBN13: 9780399252389
• Release Date: February 2010
• Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 10.2" x 11.1"
• Age Range: 3 to 5 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Kindergarten

Customer Reviews

Another beautiful Jan Brett book

Jan Brett has long been my favorite children's author. Her books are not only fun to read, but also artistic treasures!! There is always so much going on in her illustrations, so much attention to detail. I love that she puts extra information in the small side pictures or in the scenes at the top of the pages, giving children a chance to see some action going on in the background or giving a preview of what's to come next. It's always fun to see how and where she has inserted her favorite animal (the hedgehog) into each of her books. The brilliant colors make her illustrations almost jump off the page - a nice contrast to her usual gentle story lines. I fell in love with this sweet bunny the first time I read through the book!

Scrumptious illustrations

Author/illustrator Jan Brett has created a visual feast in her newest book. While the illustrations retain Brett's lush, complex style, this book appears to be an homage to the beautiful Easter postcards printed in Germany in the 19th century. From the title design on the cover to the hens who pull the Easter Bunny's cart, you can almost picture the antique cards which must have inspired Brett. The story is sweet - a little boy bunny finds his own special contribution to Easter - and deceptively simple. While on the surface the book is a strictly secular story, the theme of loving sacrifice could be used to tie this story back into the Christian Easter story. This one is a keeper - as most of Brett's books are.

Wonderful book

This book was purchased for my granddaughter. We thoroughly enjoyed the book and the story it conveyed about selflessness and helping others. The illustrations and the additional inset illustrations were beautifully done. Jan Brett has won my seal of approval. We will surely be looking for more of her books for the grandchildren.

Moving, but not religious Easter story

The story of little Hoppi trying to decide what type of egg to make is very sweet and full of good messages. Hoppi first thinks he will copy one of the types of eggs being made by the other bunnies but then decides that he needs to make an "egg that is right for me". As he thinks about what to do he realizes he doesn't have to win the contest and that he just wants "to make an egg I am proud of." Then he selflessly sits on the mother robin's dropped but unbroken egg so that she can sit on the two that remain in her nest. This book is filled with messages that I am happy to share with my preschooler. It does not contain any explicit references to anything religious surrounding Easter so if you want that you should look for another book. The illustrations are up to Jan Brett's amazing, detailed, beautiful standards.

Jan Brett can never be wrong

Jan Brett's books are guaranteed great collectable books. I can't think of another author with more beautiful illustrations than hers. All of my grandchildren love her books - some for the stories and some for the pictures, but I've never bought a Jan Brett book in which I was dissapointed. This one is no acception. My 3 year old Grandson loved it and now reads it to his little sister. We even play "I Spy" with the many facinating things to be "found" in the illustrations.