Hunwick's Egg

Last updated
Hunwick's Egg
Hunwick's Egg.jpg
Author Mem Fox
Illustrator Pamela Lofts
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
GenreAdults picture book
Published2005 (Penguin Books)
Media typePrint (hardback)
Pages32 (unpaginated)
ISBN 9780670042302
OCLC 224265719

Hunwick's Egg is a 2005 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Pamela Lofts. It is about a bilby who finds an egg and after taking care of it comes to realise that is actually a rock, but continues to look after it just the same.

Contents

Reception

Hunwick's Egg received mixed reviews with Kirkus Reviews calling it "a rare miss", [1] and Publishers Weekly said that "despite the lovely vistas, the ending here may well be a letdown to readers". [2]

Booklist was somewhat critical: "The abrupt conclusion is puzzling, and the layouts, featuring small inset scenes surrounded by creatures and plants set against white backgrounds, don't always make the most of Lofts' striking, detailed, colored-pencil art". The review concluded: "But children will easily be drawn to Lofts' astonishingly expressive animal characters, and Fox's gentle text may resonate with young ones who feel a magical connection or companionship with their own cherished rock, shell, or shred of blanket". [3]

Hunwick's Egg has also been reviewed by the School Library Journal , [4] Horn Book Guides , [5] Library Media Connection, [6] Bookseller+Publisher Review , [7] and Magpies. [8]

Related Research Articles

<i>Aesops Fables</i> (Pinkney book)

Aesop's Fables is a 2000 collection of 61 fables from the Aesop oeuvre, retold by Jerry Pinkney. It includes stories about wolves, foxes, lions, dogs, mice, and donkeys.

<i>Flossie & the Fox</i> Book by Patricia McKissack

Flossie & the Fox is a 1986 picture book by Patricia C. McKissack about a girl, Flossie, who takes some eggs to a neighbor, meets a fox on the way and manages to outwit it. In 1991, a film adaptation of the book was made with the author narrating.

<i>Puss in Boots</i> (Pinkney book)

Puss in Boots is a 2012 picture book of the classic fairy tale by Jerry Pinkney. Based on Charles Perrault's version, it is about a cat that enables his owner to achieve fame and fortune.

<i>Pete the Sheep</i>

Pete the Sheep is a 2004 picture book by Jackie French and illustrated by Bruce Whatley. It is about a shearer, Shaun, and his sheep, Pete, who open a hairdressing salon for sheep.

Pamela Lofts, also known as Pam Lofts, was an Australian children's book illustrator and exhibiting artist based in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia. She is best remembered as the illustrator of the Australian classic children's books, Wombat Stew by Marcia Vaughan and Koala Lou by Mem Fox. Although known for her book illustrations, she was also a photographer, painter, and sculptor.

<i>Noni the Pony</i> Picture book by Alison Lester

Noni the Pony is a 2010 children's picture book by Alison Lester. It is about a day with a friendly, caring pony called Noni and her friends, Dave dog, and Coco the cat.

<i>Good Night, Sleep Tight</i> (Fox book) Australian childrens picture book by Mem Fox

Good Night, Sleep Tight is a 2012 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Judy Horacek. It is about Skinny Doug, a babysitter, who uses some nursery rhymes to help his charges, Bonnie and Ben, to sleep.

Nellie Belle is a 2015 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Mike Austin. It is about a dog called Nellie Belle who escapes from her yard and has some adventures in her beachside town before being scared by some possums in a park and returning home.

Baby Bedtime is a 2013 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Emma Quay. The book, published in America by Beach Lane Books, and published in Australia by Penguin Books Australia, is about an adult elephant getting her baby ready for bed.

<i>Yoo-hoo, Ladybird!</i> Australian childrens picture book by Mem Fox and Laura Ljungkvist

Yoo-hoo, Ladybird! is a 2013 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Laura Ljungkvist. In this book, the reader is invited to find a ladybird amongst a jumble of toys and everyday items. The game of hide-and-seek continues throughout the book with different scenarios.

<i>Tell Me About Your Day Today</i> Australian childrens picture book by Mem Fox and Lauren Stringer

Tell Me About Your Day Today is a 2012 children's picture book by Mem Fox and Lauren Stringer. It is about a boy discussing the day's events with his favorite stuffed toys.

Two Little Monkeys is a 2012 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Jill Barton. It is about two monkeys, named Cheeky and Chee, who escape from a leopard.

Let's Count Goats! is a 2010 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Jan Thomas. It is a counting book with the narrator inviting the reader to count goats that appear in the pictures as they engage in humanlike behaviour.

<i>Hello, Baby!</i> Australian childrens picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Steve Jenkins

Hello, Baby! is a 2009 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Steve Jenkins. In this book the narrator asks the reader whether they are various animals.

<i>Where the Giant Sleeps</i> Australian childrens picture book by Mem Fox and Vladimir Radunsky

Where the Giant Sleeps is a 2007 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky. A bedtime book, it was published by Harcourt, Inc., and it is about a giant and the creatures that inhabit it sleeping and preparing for sleep as seen through a telescope by a child who, as it turns out, is dreaming.

<i>Six-Dinner Sid</i> Childrens picture book by Inga Moore.

Six-Dinner Sid is a 1990 Children's picture book by Inga Moore. It is about a sleek black cat called Sid who manages to reside at six homes at the same time, receiving all the benefits, including six daily meals. After being caught out, Sid goes to a different neighbourhood to receive the same pampering from households that don't mind.

<i>A Particular Cow</i> Australian childrens picture book by Mem Fox and Terry Denton

A Particular Cow is a 2006 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Terry Denton. It is about a cow that usually goes on an uneventful walk every Saturday until one Saturday all this changes.

<i>The Magic Hat</i> Australian childrens picture book by Mem Fox and Tricia Tusa

The Magic Hat is a 2002 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Tricia Tusa. It is about a wizard's hat that appears in a crowded park and alights on people's heads, turning them into various animals. Then, the hat's owner, a wizard, shows up and restores things back to normal.

<i>The Goblin and the Empty Chair</i> Australian childrens picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon.

The Goblin and the Empty Chair is a 2009 children's picture book by Mem Fox and illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon. It is a modern fairy tale, and is about a hermit goblin who observes a farming family that is so aggrieved that they cannot carry out their daily tasks; for 3 days the goblin secretly does their work not realising that he has been seen, eventually the goblin is invited to partake in breakfast with them.

<i>Ginger Finds a Home</i> Childrens picture book by Charlotte Voake

Ginger Finds a Home is a 2003 children's picture book by Charlotte Voake. A prequel of Voakes 1996 picture book Ginger, it concerns a young stray cat called Ginger that becomes part of a girl's household.

References

  1. "Hunwick's Egg". Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus Media LLC. 15 January 2005. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  2. "Hunwick's Egg". Publishers Weekly. PWxyz LLC. 24 January 2005. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  3. Gillian Engberg (2005). "Hunwick's Egg". Booklist. American Library Association. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  4. Linda L. Walkins. "Hunwick's Egg". School Library Journal. Media Source Inc. Retrieved 25 September 2021. This slightly offbeat story with a universal message about the power of friendship is accompanied by glowing watercolor pencil illustrations in orange, pink, and blue tones that showcase the flora and fauna of the Australian landscape, adding an interesting element to this charming title.
  5. "Hunwick's Egg". Horn Book Guides. Media Source Inc. Retrieved 25 September 2021. The somewhat melancholy story is suitably paired with delicate, fine-lined illustrations.
  6. Kathleen McBroom. "Hunwick's Egg". Library Media Connection. Linworth Publications. Retrieved 25 September 2021. Mem Fox and illustrator Pamela Lofts have teamed up to create another winsome tale. ... The simple narrative blends seamlessly with the rich, watercolor pencil illustrations, which spill out of their frames and trail across pages.
  7. Chris Page (2005). "Hunwick's Egg". booksandpublishing.com.au. Books+Publishing. Retrieved 25 September 2021. Another picture book from Mem Fox that will delight and please both teachers and parents. The natural rhythm of the text makes it a joy to read aloud. Fox has the ability to bring her books alive, right from the start the reader knows they are beginning a wonderful journey. ... Not only useful but a must.
  8. Rayma Turton (March 2005). "Hunwick's Egg". Magpies: Talking About Books For Children. Vol. 20, no. 1. Magpies Magazine. p. 28. ISSN   0817-0088.