The Children’s Book Review: The Bird in the Egg

In this gentle and resonant meditation on the fears that come with growing up and facing the world, readers will follow Finch as he navigates the tension between safety and growth, comfort zone and discovery.

When Finch first pops out of his egg, he thinks the world looks like a wonderful place to explore. But, after a close brush with a hawk, a fall into a spider web, and an encounter with angry bees, Finch comes to the conclusion that the world is a very scary place! Then he has a brilliant idea: he can stay safe by hiding in his egg. Unfortunately, hiding in his egg doesn’t really make the world any safer, but it does make him miss out on all the things happening around him. After a chat with a wise old owl and a few missed opportunities, Finch comes to a conclusion—perhaps it is worth facing his fears if it means he can live fully in the world around him.

The vulnerable but feisty little bird offers young readers a protagonist in whom they can easily see themselves reflected, and through his journey, courage is portrayed not as the absence of fear, but as choosing to leave your shell anyway. The narration is woven through with gentle humor, underscored by all of the subtle details the reader can see, but that Finch hiding in his shell cannot, creating a text that can entertain readers on multiple levels. The beautiful artwork juxtaposes a background of expressive white linework on a vivid single-color palette in warm yellow with a portrayal of Finch himself in bold, bright blues and blacks, underscoring the contrast between Finch and the world around him.

Comforting and reassuring, The Bird in the Egg is the perfect story for any child who needs a little extra encouragement to step out of their comfort zone.

—The Children’s Book Review