EGGS FOR TEA (Little Monsters) - Hardcover

Pienkowski, Jan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0385413432 ISBN 13: 9780385413435

Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 1990

Synopsis

In this humorous counting book, five little monsters try to share six eggs

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

Like hybrids of Jim Henson and Salvador Dali, the zany, zonked-out creatures in these Little Monster books defy description. Their slightly skewed antics are consistently engaging, although--in the first book, at least--each giggle may be tinged with alarm. "Five little monsters have a pet. It hasn't had its supper yet." Its owners attempt to sate the ravenous creature, which resembles a hot-pink-spotted chameleon, with peas, cheese, a stew and shampoo. The little guy rapidly becomes a big guy, and the shapes of his comestibles are comically apparent in his body. In the end, this ingrate may be about to bite--perhaps devour--the hands that feed him. Minus the menace, the second book stars a bug-eyed, yellow-billed thing that snoozes away as another affable assortment of monsters makes short work of six eggs. ("He poaches one and has it for his tea and that leaves four for you and me.") Though these purport to be counting books--and their small, elongated size makes them ideal for little hands--they will be chiefly appreciated as purveyors of hilarity for youngsters and grownups alike. Known for the unusual and the unexpected, Pienkowski has not disappointed his many admirers. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-K-- Pienkowski has channeled his considerable talents into a pair of deceptively simple-looking addition and subtraction books. Slender in format and plot, both titles feature animated inky splotches dressed up as silly monsters. Eggs for Tea features a simple subtraction theme. A monster spies six brown eggs in a carton. Each egg is subsequently gobbled by a passing creature. When a fight ensues over the last egg, the smallest member swipes and eats it. Not quite so engaging a story line as the second title, it more clearly exemplifies the math principle. In Pet Food , the monsters' pet hasn't had his supper yet, so each of them gives it food. Each item is visually apparent and countable in the body of the crocodilelike creature. The pet fends for itself for breakfast, as he eats a hat, bat, coat, boat, and ball. Pretty soon it's dinner time, and the last picture is the crocodile chasing its owners. The sing-song text is lively and, although the plot resembles The Greedy Python (Picture Book Studio, 1985; o.p.) by Richard Buckley, it's still a winner. --Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0385413432
• ISBN 13: 9780385413435
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 1