International Literature- Book 1

International Literature Book Review

Hunwick's Egg

By: Mem Fox Illustrated by: Pamela Lofts

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fox, Mem. 2005. HUNWICK’S EGG. Ill. Pamela Lofts. Florida: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152163182
PLOT SUMMARY-
In a “wide and dusty desert” lived an old bandicoot named Hunwick. After a wild, Australian desert storm blows through Hunwick finds a mysterious egg near his burrow. To Hunwick’s dismay none of his neighbor friends knew where this beautiful egg belonged. Hunwick decided that he would give this egg a home. So back at his burrow he “bustled about, making things cozy.” Hunwick took great care of his egg, but anticipation grew about when his egg might hatch. His friends, the Echidna, Cockatoo and the Emu began to worry about Hunwick because his precious egg would never hatch, “not ever”. But Hunwick was not worried because he had a new friend and they shared a secret. His egg was “not an egg at all, but a stone of perfect shape, size, and color” and he loved it as it was- a stone secret.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Mem Fox brings this Australian “Once Upon a Time” tale to readers and tells a great story of acceptance and friendship. She uses the Australian desert and native creatures to tell her enduring tale of caring for others. This theme surfaces when Hunwick admits he knows his precious egg is a stone, “I don’t mind, I love it as it is” Mem Fox brings her readers up close to animals they might not be familiar with, but find their home in her native land. Mem Fox has done extensive research on her main character the bilby (Hunwick) and it is evident in her work.
Pamela Loft’s artistic work of illustrating with watercolor pencil brings the native home of the Australian desert to life. She introduces readers to the animals, insects and plant life of the region crawling across pages, in full page spreads and framed illustrations. Loft captures young reader’s attention by the adorable eyes of her animals and their facial gestures. The night sky of the Australian desert helps the readers see the days pass as Hunwick cares for his egg.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist- “This picture book explodes with the exotic plants and animals of Australia”

Library Media Connection- “Simple story about unconditional love and acceptance is sure to become a favorite read-aloud for the preschool and early elementary audience”

CONNECTIONS
The main character of this book is a Bilby, otherwise known as the rabbit-eared bandicoot. This animal makes his home in Australia and is on the endangered list. It would be a great link to pull some non-fiction books on endangered species or reference the World Wildlife Website at www.worldwildlife.org/endangered.

Other Books By Mem Fox:

Fox, Mem. Possum Magic. ISBN 9780949641052.
Fox, Mem. Wilford Gordon McDonald Patridge . ISBN 9780916291044.
Fox, Mem. Time For Bed. ISBN 9780152881832.