Eggasaurus

Jennifer Wagh

Book - 2022

In this story told entirely in letters, Maximus orders a dinosaur egg through the mail, and every time he tries to send it back or refuse additional offers from Eggasaurus Inc., he is in more trouble.--

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Subjects
Genres
Humorous fiction
Epistolary fiction
Picture books
Published
New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers [2022]
Language
English
Main Author
Jennifer Wagh (author)
Other Authors
Hallie Bateman (illustrator)
Edition
First edition
Item Description
Originally published in 2020.
Physical Description
32 unnumbered pages : color illustrations ; 23 x 28 cm
Audience
Ages 4-8.
Grades K-1.
ISBN
9781534450066
Contents unavailable.
Review by School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 3--Maximus has bought some dinosaur eggs from Eggasaurus, Inc., and is super excited and dedicated to their hatching. Max and the company communicate via letters about Max's excitement and the company's policies, giving Max more eggs, advice, or responsibility with every letter. Eventually, the dinos hatch and everyone learns to live with them in their own special way. Wagh has created a dynamic epistolary tale, with a simple vocabulary that is true to the voices of children and to corporate communications. Bateman's illustrations make plain the exchanges taking place, showing Max's excitement over the eggs, as well as the company's attitude through simple boxes and letters. The facial expressions are also absolutely hilarious in showing how Max and his dad really feel about the dinos (happy and terrified, respectively) versus what the company thinks they feel (it's all good). These two creators have built a comic back-and-forth tale similar to Doreen Cronin's in style, but utterly unique with a super-invested and caring boy, a father who is questioning how this could get any weirder, and a company that will not take no for an answer. VERDICT A grand tale for lessons on pet responsibility, letter-writing, and of course, dinosaurs.--Margaret Kennelly

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review

"Dear Customer, Thank you for your Eggasaurus purchase." A "fragile" delivery that arrives for a child named Maximus launches an epistolary story paced like a tennis match. Bright cartoon art shows the delighted boy and his devoted dog admiring the contents of the package: four colorful eggs, which according to the enclosed letter "may contain herbivore, omnivore, or carnivore." In the background, Maximus's father cranes his head from his laptop with concern. A page-turn shows Maximus writing back to Eggasaurus, Inc.: "My dad says I need to ask for a refund." Company policy clearly stipulates "no refunds," but as compensation they send two more eggs. At this point, the written communications between Maximus and the company both increase and (intentionally?) break down, leading to more egg deliveries. "Dear Eggasaurus, Dad says we cannot possibly accept the additional eggs"; "Dear Customer, We are sending an additional assortment." The playfully naive illustrations (ink, watercolor, gouache, crayon, and colored pencil) capture Maximus mediating between Eggasaurus, Inc., and his father, who progresses from mild surprise to complete shock to, finally, happy acceptance. As the eggs begin to hatch and claim space and even greater attention, readers witness a positive shift in the father-son relationship. Ultimately, with a backyard full of dinosaurs, and official certification from Eggasaurus, Inc., Dad and Maximus open a new business: Dinosaur Day Care. Julie Roach May/June 2022 p.135(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.