When Blue Met Egg

December 12, 2011
A foldout bird’s-eye view of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge—rendered in an airy cut-paper composition that features scraps of test answer sheets and a New York City map—is a highlight of Ward’s (Pelly and Mr. Harrison Visit the Moon) story about a kindhearted, stocking-capped bird. When Blue mistakes an errant winter snowball that lands in her nest for an egg that’s lost its mother, she snaps into action. Toting her tiny white charge in a bright orange pail, Blue embarks on a months-long search high and low, uptown and downtown, canvassing her fellow birds. The trip yields treasures like carousel rides and hot dogs, but no mama for Egg, who starts to shrink once warmer weather rolls around. Happily, spring provides a sunny conclusion. Those familiar with New York will recognize skyline landmark buildings, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and other stops in this uplifting Big Apple adventure. And Ward offers a plethora of fun visual details—Bird posting “Lost Egg” signs; Bird and Egg seated in a box at the opera—along the way. Ages 3–5. Agent: Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

December 15, 2011
Egg is a snowball that was inadvertently lobbed into Blue's wintery nest by a bundled-up child in Central Park. But Blue doesn't know that. " ‘My, you're early. How did you get here?' asked Blue. / Egg was quiet." Blue decides to put Egg into her orange bucket and go find its mother. So begins a lovingly rendered wintertime amble through New York City, from downtown views of the Statue of Liberty to Columbus Circle to a gatefold spread of the Brooklyn Bridge in snowy January. The Chrysler Building on the cover immediately sets the stage--a clever mash-up of skyscrapers comprised of cut-up scraps of old paper, equations, postmarks and charts. Blue carries Egg to the boathouse, to hot-dog stands (Egg isn't hungry), to skyscraper tops… no mom in sight. In time, Bird grows attached to her silent "friend"--the image of Egg-in-bucket wearing opera glasses at Madame Butterfly is priceless--and all is well until April comes, the weather warms and Egg starts to shrink. One sunny morning in the nest, Egg disappears completely. (Spoiler: Egg melts, the bucket crashes to the ground below, Blue sees a puddle with a pink flower in it and thinks Egg has bloomed.) For a more gruesome story of "egg loss," see Mini Grey's Egg Drop (2009). A bittersweet tribute to New York City, tinged with deep loneliness and self-delusion. (Picture book. 3-6)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

March 1, 2012

K-Gr 2-One snowy morning, a stray snowball lands in Blue's nest and, thinking it is some sort of strange egg, she packs it into a small bucket and sets out to explore every nook and cranny of New York City in search of its mother. After looking high and low to no avail, Blue decides to focus on her own relationship with Egg. For months, they are inseparable, going to parks, museums, and even the opera. When April arrives, Egg begins to shrink. One morning Blue awakens to find a small puddle and a pink flower next to Egg's bucket. "Egg, you've bloomed!" exclaims Blue, and she scoops up the blossom and begins telling her friend about the wonders of spring. This sweet story of devotion and friendship illustrates the joy that comes from caring for another. The creative cut-paper artwork adds an additional level of interest and takes readers on a fascinating bird's-eye tour of the Big Apple.-Debbie Lewis, Alachua County Library District, FL

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2012
Preschool-G On a snowy morning, Blue, a bluebird, sees something wing past her nest. Thinking it's an egg (it's actually a snowball), she packs it into a bucket and heads off to find its mother. From the boathouse in Central Park to the tops of skyscrapers, Blue tirelessly searches Manhattan, but to no avail. Finally, she exclaims, Well, Egg, it looks like it's just you and me, and the two enjoy winter activities. Somehow, the snowball stays intact all the way to April, when it finally succumbs to the heat and becomes a puddle. At the center of the puddle sprouts a beautiful pink flower, to which Blue exclaims, Egg, you've bloomed! Ward's cut-paper illustrations are full of charming details, such as the many Lost Egg posters taped to trees. There's also a foldout of the New York skyline in winter; if kids examine it closely, they'll notice the collage of maps Ward has used to render the East River. Pair this with Tad Hills' Duck & Goose (2006) for a double dose of mistaken-identity fun.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)