Egg: Nature’s Perfect Package

Yes, the book fosters the development of the observation and classification processes by showing pictures of different eggs and relating them to how they survive in their specific environment. The teacher could ask students to observe the pictures of the animals and compare and contrast them to one another. For example, one could ask: how is the way the spider wasp lays its eggs different than the way the splash tetra does? (the spider wasp lay their eggs on a spider, whereas the splash tetra simply attaches her eggs onto an overhanging leaf) or how does the Egyptian vulture break an egg compared to how the mongoose breaks the egg? (the Egyptian vulture breaks it open with a rock, while the mongoose hurls the egg onto a rock with its legs). More importantly, the teacher could ask the students why they think differences exist in terms of the way different animals handle their eggs. This would get the students to think about how animals adapt to their environment to successfully survive and reproduce.

• Author: Steve Jenkins & Robin Page
• Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
• Year Published: 2015
• ISBN: 9780547959092

Science Topics

• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• 1st Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 5th Grade

Summary

In this book, the authors tell us all about eggs. Jenkins and Page take us through the process of how the animals lay their eggs, what challenges they face, what different eggs look like, and how animals hatch from eggs. This book also contains beautifully colored illustrations and diagrams of many different animals and their eggs.

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: High
• Authority: High
• Accuracy: High
• Liteary Artistry: High
• Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Yes, the book fosters the development of the observation and classification processes by showing pictures of different eggs and relating them to how they survive in their specific environment. The teacher could ask students to observe the pictures of the animals and compare and contrast them to one another. For example, one could ask: how is the way the spider wasp lays its eggs different than the way the splash tetra does? (the spider wasp lay their eggs on a spider, whereas the splash tetra simply attaches her eggs onto an overhanging leaf) or how does the Egyptian vulture break an egg compared to how the mongoose breaks the egg? (the Egyptian vulture breaks it open with a rock, while the mongoose hurls the egg onto a rock with its legs). More importantly, the teacher could ask the students why they think differences exist in terms of the way different animals handle their eggs. This would get the students to think about how animals adapt to their environment to successfully survive and reproduce.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

Since the illustrations are very explicit and the text does not follow a narrative form, it may be more difficult for students to come up with their own questions or make predictions. However, if the teacher provided opportunities for the students to look at the illustrations before reading the descriptions, then the students would be able to ask and answer their own questions. For instance, they could ask, "what animal lays the biggest egg?" and they would find out that the elephant bird was the animal with the biggest egg.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

The book contains informative text and rarely explicitly encourages children to think for themselves, except on one occasion. The authors only directly interact with the reader once; "but what goes inside an egg? Turn the page and find out". This does provide an opportunity for children to think about what the inside of an egg looks like and if different eggs have different things inside of them. However, the teacher could also prompt independent thought by examining the illustrations of the book and asking students why they think animals behave a certain way and how this helps them take care of their eggs. The teacher could also preview of the book, which would provide an opportunity for the students to look through the illustrations before the read aloud, and this may help the students think about what they want to know about eggs and what their thoughts are on what the content of the book will be.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

Yes, the content is appropriate to the lesson.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

Yes, the content is based on sound scientific principles and is accurate. The authors show accurate information about each animal and also include their habitat and length/width at the end of the book. They display factual information about egg layers, egg sizes, where they lay them, how many eggs different animals have, which animals eat eggs, egg protection, packaging, carrying eggs, incubation, and hatching. They also provide explanations as to why each property is important, for example when they mention that egg packaging is necessary to keep eggs from scattering or being eaten by predators.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This book is factual, so there is no need to distinguish between fact and fiction.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

Yes, the illustrations are beautifully clear and accurate. The artwork is realistic, and even though the colors seem to be slightly exaggerated, they are accurate to what the animals actually look like. Some of the illustrations are also to scale.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, this book is appropriate for students in first grade to students in fifth. There are a few vocabulary words that may be developmentally inappropriate for younger grades, such as "evolved", "membrane" or "fabricating", however, most are explained. For example, incubation is described as keeping the eggs at the right temperature so they can hatch. The illustrations also explicitly accompany the text, which can be an aid to the students' comprehension.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

There is no specific multicultural component, but there is also no misrepresentation or stereotyping either because there are no people represented in the book. The book also showcases animals that live in different environments around the world, so some animals could be familiar to some students and they could also learn about different animals and thus diverse environments and cultures.

Is the book free from gender bias?

Yes, the book is free from gender bias because there are no male or female characters in the book.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

The book does not show a close association between science and other disciplines. There could be a small connection to history because the authors show us eggs from extinct animals.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

There is no technology represented in the book, however, it does present a positive attitude towards science based on the vibrant illustrations and fun facts the authors showcase.