Chester's Colorful Easter Eggs

February 18, 2013
Smythe follows Snowbear’s Christmas Countdown with an Easter-themed introduction to color, as Chester the rabbit decorates and hides six eggs for his friends. Chester embellishes each egg according to its planned hiding spot: a red egg is made to look like a bird and hidden in a nest, while an orange egg is adorned with daisies and hearts to match the tea set in which it’s hidden. All the patterning and the detailed indoor and outdoor scenes allow Smythe’s cut-paper artwork to shine; Chester is “tickled pink” when a rainbow highlights his eggs after they are found, and readers should feel much the same. Ages 2–5.

January 1, 2013
Little Chester is a charming bunny boy getting ready for an Easter egg hunt in this pleasant, thoughtfully designed story just right for younger preschoolers. Chester prepares six hard-boiled eggs in his kitchen and then dyes them different colors, decorating and hiding them for his friends to find. Each egg is shown in an inset with the name of the color spelled out in colored display type, with a larger illustration showing Chester hiding the egg. In a cheery conclusion, the six friends line up their eggs just as a rainbow appears, highlighting the rainbow spectrum of Chester's Easter surprise. Collage illustrations in bold, bright hues use simple shapes and interesting textures to create an appealing artistic presentation that will appeal to young children. Chester himself is a dapper dude in a yellow bowtie and plaid shirt, with bold whiskers and a winsome smile. His friends come in all sizes and shapes, from a big, brown lion to a tiny mouse, creating a good-natured group that gives the impression of diversity. A sweet treat for an Easter basket or for sharing before decorating Easter eggs. (Picture book. 2-5)

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February 1, 2013

K-Gr 1-Chester Rabbit colors and decorates six eggs and hides them near his friends. He leaves a red egg decorated to resemble a bird in a nest outside Sidney's balcony and a purple one behind similarly patterned curtains in Maurice's room. Chester's friends discover their gifts on Easter morning, and "a magical glow appeared on the eggs! Chester was tickled PINK." Although the story is slight, each spread presents a room or vignette with richly textured objects, expressive characters, and bright colors. Recommended for libraries seeking simple Easter books.-Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI

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