The Egg

A gentle and emotionally resonant picture book about care, belonging and the power of love. 

Beaver found an egg, all alone in his garden: it is so small and delicate. Beaver is delighted and really wants to take care of it. However, the other animals disagree. Otter wonders if it has been abandoned, Squirrel speculates that it has been forgotten, Frog warns with a stern look, and Hen says it cannot be hatched by Beaver. 

Amidst a crescendo of doubts and objections from the animals – and concern on the part of Beaver – the final epilogue leaves no room for debate: love prevails, despite everyone’s personal opinions.

In The Egg, Sara Stefanini strikes a balance between the depth of the topics – family, social conventions, stereotypes – and the freshness of style and illustrations. The details of the characters’ expressions and positions (Frog’s little finger admonishing, Otter mimicking Beaver, Squirrel getting distracted, etc.) prompt reflection and elicit a smile.