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The Talking Eggs: A Folktale From the American South

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    A lesson in humanity laced with humor and magic.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    An old woman removes her head to brush her hair, and a character steals the head to blackmail the woman. Snakes, wasps, and a wolf chase wicked characters.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of The Talking Eggs: A Folktale From the American South was written by Sally Snyder

Parents need to know that detailed illustrations and a suspenseful story make this a surefire read-aloud.

Families Can Talk About

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  • Families can talk about the rewards of hard work, goodness, and decency. What do the characters learn?
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More on The Talking Eggs: A Folktale From the American South

Book Summary

Is It Any Good?

There's more to this tale than magic and treasure -- ultimately, it's about a girl who retains her humanity under difficult circumstances. Her reward is more than jewels and earthly goods; she earns the satisfaction of being a good person. Readers will enjoy Blanche's quiet, thoughtful approach to dealing with her mother and sister, and her efforts to keep a straight face at the sight of rabbits dancing the Virginia reel.

Robert D. San Souci captures the reader's attention with simple language that brings the country setting to life: "They lived on a farm so poor, it looked like the tail end of bad luck." And Jerry Pinkney's watercolors convey the sharp contrast between Blanche's difficult home life and the hilarious celebration at the old woman's home. The art is most effective in setting the mood of the mysterious backwoods and the old woman's home. The cover illustration, which shows Blanche and the crone on a forest path, gives a hint of this tone -- and those who look carefully will see trees with faces and wide-open mouths.

Publisher’s Details

Publisher: Penguin Group, Publication date: 1/1/1989
Number of pages: 32, Price: $3.95 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 4+, Read Alone: 6+

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Nevada
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    i love it

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