An original board book featuring Kevin Henkes’s mouse character Owen is set at Easter. Owen’s basket is full Easter morning. “In it were jelly beans / and gumdrops / and buttercream eggs / and a big chocolate bunny / and a little marshmallow chick.” Owen declares each one his favorite, and then gobbles it up. But the marshmallow chick inspires a different response from Owen in this superbly paced story that features a surprising and delightful twist to the patterned text as it concludes. Brightly colored illustrations suggest the pastel candy colors of Easter but with bolder, more vivid hues. Highly Commended, 2003 Charlotte Zolotow Award (Ages 2-6)

Owen ate everything in his basket except his marshmallow chick.