Nadine, Maud, Dora, and all of the other hens in the barnyard lay eggs. But P. Zonka is too busy wandering dreamily around the barnyard, noticing the beauty of nature, to lay an egg. None of the other chickens understand. Nadine even accuses her of being lazy. All of them encourage her to try, and try she finally does. “Flutter, flutter. Cluck, cluck. PUSH!” P. Zonka’s egg isn’t like any other egg in the barnyard. “There were patterns of sun yellow, grass green, tulip red. There were blues as bright as day and blues as dark as midnight.” It is, they all agree, beautiful. A playful picture book builds a story around the tradition of Ukranian decorated eggs (pysanka) in a highly original take on a barnyard tale. The simple yet elegant writing gives distinct personalities to each of the characters, while the gorgeous, vibrant illustrations are rendered in the style of pysanka folk-art. An added treat, and moment of wonderful discovery, is the small artist’s palette in the feathers on the side of P. Zonka’s head. (Ages 3–8)

When dreamy hen P. Zonka starts laying eggs, the other chickens are in for a spectacular surprise! This springtime delight from Julie Paschkis is inspired by Ukrainian pysanky.

★ “Charming, unusual and sure to induce smiles.” ―Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

★ “A lyrical and lushly illustrated allegory about creativity and taking time to notice beauty.” ―Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

★ “A first-rate selection.” ―School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“If every picture book is a little world unto itself, P. Zonka Lays an Egg is a place where the skies are forever bright and all things radiate delicious hues.” ―The Wall Street Journal

Extraordinary hen P. Zonka spends her time taking in the beauty around her: the shiny green of the grass, the buttery yellow of the dandelions, the deep blue of the sky. The other hens can’t understand why she never lays eggs like they do―they think she’s just plain lazy. But when P. Zonka finally decides to give egg-laying a try, the other chickens are in for a spectacular surprise!

Award-winning author and illustrator Julie Paschkis is sure to delight readers with this lovely story, inspired by the Ukrainian tradition of pysanky, about enriching the imagination and appreciating the beauty of the world

Awards:

Parents’ Choice Recommended Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation
Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education
CCBC Choices (Picture Books for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers) ―Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens ―Capitol Choices
Texas 2×2 Reading List ―Texas Library Association
Georgia Children’s Picture Book Award (Nominee) ―University of Georgia
Red Clover Award (Honor List) ―Vermont Department of Libraries

Also by Julie Paschkis:
Albert the Fix-it Man
Eek!
Kalinka and Grakkle
Mooshka, A Quilt Story
Where is Catkin?