Out of the Egg

Description

This reworked version of the traditional tale of the hardworking, unaided Little Red Hen continues until her own baby chick befriends the offspring of the lazy cat, rat and pig and together they play. By the end of the day each baby learns a new lesson in forgiveness and sharing.

Tina Matthews was born and raised in New Zealand and now lives in Sydney where she works as a writer and illustrator, and as a visiting author in schools and libraries. She illustrates her books in a variety of ways, from Japanese woodblock to Adobe photoshop. In 2008, her previous title Out of the Egg won the Best First Book Award at the New Zealand Post Book Awards and was listed as a CBCA Notable Book. Waiting for Later was short-listed for the 2011 Queensland Premier's Literary Awards, Children's Book - Mary Ryan's Award. In 2012, it was also a finalist in the New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards, Picture Book category, and the LIANZA Awards. A Great Cake was a finalist in the 2013 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards, Picture Book category, and won the LIANZA Russell Clark Award for illustration. Tina has worked as a puppet maker and writer in children's theatre and television for 25 years, including for ABC TV's Bananas in Pyjamas and The Ferals, The Upside Down Show and Jim Henson's Labyrinth. She has taught puppetry at NIDA for many years in the Bachelor of Fine Arts course and is the designer and producer of the bestselling Black and White Baby Mobile for newborn babies. For more information about the author please visit www.ttinamatthews.com

This book impressed the judges with its contemporary take on the tale of The Little Red Hen, which Matthews cleverly moulds in a new direction right to its satisfyingly upbeat (and altruistic) ending. Capturing the story's humour and pace are a series of beautifully presented illustrations based on traditional woodcut artwork. These are a delight. Simple, timeless, they repay the careful reader by revealing subtle use of symbol, perspective, space and spot colour. In fact, here is a book that displays all the hallmarks of a considered, crafted production, from the charming endpapers to the excellent choice of typeface.With its fresh twist on an old story and its crisp, graphic artwork, Out of the Egg is a book full of delight and wit. * Judges' Report New Zealand Post Book Awards 2008 * The Little Red Hen has grown up, and while foraging in the barren hills, she discovers a green seed. Predictably, her slothful companions, Fat Cat, Greedy Pig and Dirty Rat are too busy watching the plasma, tucking into takeaway, cruising in the convertible or chatting on the mobile to assist the Red Hen as she battles the elements and tends to her young seedling. Hard work reaps the benefit of not only a delightful shady green tree, but also a little chick. When the offspring of the Red Hens' companion dare to ask who will let them play in the shade of the tree the Red Hen's reply is tainted by the rejection of her past, Not I! is her answer. Incredulous, the little red chick soon rights the wrong of her forebear and teaches her mother much about forgiveness. Out of the Egg is a delightful and clever retelling which goes beyond the theme of hard work and helping others to forgiveness and generational change. The multi-layered tale makes significant use of colour, commencing with black and white prints, a red hen and the green seed, gradually transforming to rolling green hills and a wonderful shade tree - a subtle message of environmental regeneration gained through perseverance. The slothful characters and clever illustrations reveal the impact of consumerism and with each reading another carefully placed detail is revealed. There is much to explore including the hope of new generations to restore and the ability of children to see situations without distrust and prejudice. Parents will enjoy reading Out of the Egg to their young children while teachers will find plenty to open discussion on life messages in this wonderful tale. * Magpies * Tina Matthews gives the classic tale of The Little Red Hen a contemporary twist. The red hen battles apathy and disinterest around her own success, but is then shown empathy and generosity by her own chick in this book, which doesn't sacrifice charm to convey a message. * The Sunday Age *