Ten Eggs in a Nest (Bright & Early Books(R))

MARILYN SADLER is a children's book author, television producer, and screenwriter. Among the dozens of books she has written are the bestselling Random House Beginner Books It's Not East Being a Bunny, Honey Bunny Funnybunny, and Money, Money Honey Bunny! Ms. Sadler's work has received many honors, including an IRA Classroom Choice Award and a Parents' Choice Award.

MICHAEL FLEMING has been drawing fantastic scenes on various surfaces since the age of three. His colorful work blends a love of nature with a dash of the mischievous. He has worked with Lucasfilm, Google, American Greetings, and many more. He lives on the mysterious island of Alameda with his wife, two cats, and two dogs.

PreS-Gr 1—It's an exciting day for counting in the hen house. Gwen the hen insists it's bad luck to count your eggs before they hatch, so rooster Red doesn't count but waits faithfully by her side. When the first chick arrives, the proud papa visits the local Worm World for a welcome-snack, only to find more hatchlings when he returns. The rooster continues to go to the market until a total of ten worms fill his brown shopping bag and Pinky Pig receives one coin per worm. Young readers will find multiple opportunities to count here: Gwen counts her new chicks, Pinky counts the worms, and Red counts the coins-not just singly, but adding 1+2+3+4 as each group of eggs hatch. Bright yellow chicks and their equally colorful parents appear in simple, uncluttered painted images. This early reader offers clear visual clues for interpretation of text, a large font, and plenty of opportunity to sum up the story in more than one way. A recommended purchase for any library with a collection for emerging readers.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX