charge.
I tried to fix their bad
behavior.
I tried to keep the
peace.
Because I was a good
egg."
I know this from growing up with my younger brother ... it's hard to be 'the good egg'. Do it for a while, and it is soon expected of you.
Following up on the success of The Bad Seed (2017), Jory John and Pete Oswald have collaborated on this equally funny, and most welcome, new book about an opposite character. The not bad, but good, part of all children to whom it is sure to appeal. Anyone who has spent any amount of time with young kids know there are two sides to every one of them. They can go from smiling angel to screeching banshee in no time at all, while we are left to try to determine what just happened to instigate such a reversal of roles. It can happen within minutes, and often more than one time a day.
So, here comes The Good Egg, obviously the opposite of The Bad Seed, met and loved two years ago already. It assures the reader from page one of its demeanor ... A verrrrrry good egg. Its many kind acts include rescuing a cat from a tree, carrying groceries, changing tires. No job is too big, or too small. Good from the beginning, when bought from the farmer's market, it has kept company with eleven other eggs of varying temperament. The others are behaviorally challenged, and offer constant chaos for their carton mate.
Despite many offers to improve their course of action, the good egg finally cracks. And leaves! Peace at last, and needed time spent seeking a new way of life. Healing happens, and life returns to some sense of normalcy. Realizing perfection is not the goal, the egg returns home. Things haven't changed much, but that's OK!
It is a perfect combination of text and illustration that will have kids giggling, and perhaps pondering the importance (or not) of being perfect. Unpossible!
Both books are worthy of a place on family, classroom and library shelves. Don't miss them!
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