Laura Vaccaro Seeger’s quietly dazzling picture book begins as a straightforward and highly visual look at the order of things in nature: “First the egg then the chicken . . . First the seed then the flower . . .” Each “first . . . then” statement spans two double-page spreads, offering the drama of set-up and then resolution with the turn of a page. Beautifully textured artwork with perfectly executed die-cuts add to the appeal. When Seeger’s narrative shifts to “First the word then the story” the deceptively simple volume becomes a stunning representation of its subject matter: creativity. Small in size but expansive in concept, First the Egg expresses ideas that will fascinate and inspire. An unexpected conclusion brings the book full circle, underscoring its brilliance while creating a wholly satisfying experience for readers and listeners. (Ages 4–9)

WHICH CAME FIRST? The chicken or the egg? Simple die-cuts magically present transformation-- from seed to flower, tadpole to frog, caterpillar to butterfly.

The acclaimed author of Black? White! Day? Night! and Lemons Are Not Red gives an entirely fresh and memorable presentation to the concepts of transformation and creatiity. Seed becomes flower, paint becomes picture, word becomes story--and the commonplace becomes extraordinary as children look through and turn the pages of this novel and winning book.

First the Egg by bestselling author and illustrator Laura Vaccaro Seeger is a 2008 Caldecott Honor Book and a 2007 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year. This title has Common Core connections.