Egg Story

As comfortable as its rustic, thatched-roofed surroundings, this simple and accurate story makes the breakfast egg a primary biology lesson. In unpretentious, straightforward language, Hariton traces the tiny white lump as it feeds on the shrinking egg yolk and grows into a chick large enough to peck its way out of the shell. The story alternates between the worlds inside and outside the shell in easy and natural rhythm. The homey watercolor, pencil and ink illustrations align seamlessly with the writing to present fundamental reproductive processes that will connect youngsters to more sophisticated biology. With an understatement characteristic of the entire presentation, Hariton describes the enormous effort and countless pecks required to crack open a shell: ``Hatching is hard work''--a metaphor for those of any age who seek to break out of the old into the new. An exemplary blend of storybook and nonfiction. Ages 5-7. (May)