The Golden EGG BOOK (1947)

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Beautiful illustrations help tell the story of a a bunny who finds an egg and tries to open it to find out what's inside and falls asleep from all the hard work. When the egg hatches, a fuzzy baby duck finds the bunny and two little creatures are never alone again. ( )

Although all of Margaret Wise Brown's picture books are wonderful, I think this is my favorite (yes, I love it even more than Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny.) The reason is simple: The Golden Egg Book is funny! Additionally, the pictures are absolutely beautiful. ( )

A lonely little bunny, happening upon an egg in a field one day, is puzzled by the noises coming from within it. Could there be a little boy inside? Perhaps another bunny? Trying everything he can to break open the egg, the bunny eventually falls asleep. It is only then that the egg hatches, and a tiny duckling emerges. Puzzled by this strange furry being he immediately encounters, the duckling does everything he can to wake the bunny. Eventually he is successful, and the two become fast friends.

Originally published in 1947 as a Little Golden Book, this gentle tale of a lonely bunny and newly hatched duckling who become friends was republished in this larger picture-book format in 2004. The story itself is sweet, with the bunny's curiosity mirrored by the duckling's, and a happy ending in which "no one was ever alone again." The artwork, done by Leonard Weisgard, who often collaborated with author Margaret Wise Brown, is vibrantly colorful, and has a certain stylized charm. Although not explicitly an Easter book - no mention is made of the holiday - I do think The Golden Egg Book would make a good title for those looking for picture-books for this time of year. Of course, it can also be enjoyed at other times of year, and by readers with no connection or involvement with Easter. ( )

One of my all-time golden oldies kids book! ( )