THE RUNAWAY EGG

Taking care of a younger sibling is a challenge for Chick, especially when the sibling is still in his egg.

Watching his unhatched baby brother is so boring that Chick falls fast asleep just as things are about to get interesting. A “CRACK” is the first sign that baby brother is about to be born; two orange legs poking out the bottom of the egg are the second and third. Once baby brother has legs, he is off like a shot. Chick chases his charge through the farmyard, through the pigsty, and on to the shearing barn (where a close encounter with scissors is nearly the end of this babysitter!). Just when things could not get any more treacherous, the legs and egg run right into a sleeping bull. Droll watercolor-and-ink illustrations bring Chick to life for young listeners, who will quickly identify with both chicks, depending on birth order. Deft and subtle brush strokes show Chick’s emotional state as he cycles from boredom and frustration to worry and terror to, finally, blessed relief. Children will grimace along with the little chick stuck in the pig’s muck and chuckle when a carefully placed speech bubble screams “Hey! That’s my bottom!” when Chick nearly gets snipped in the shearing barn. Finally, everyone can take a deep breath when Chick and his nearly hatched brother make it back to the coop just in the nick of time.

Being an older sibling has never been this harrowing—and hilarious.