Hattie Peck: The Journey Home

PreS-Gr 2—In Hattie Peck, an eggless hen traveled the world collecting abandoned eggs and hatched a diverse crowd of oviparous species: an alligator, a turtle, a flamingo, an owl, a snake, an echidna, and more. In this second book, the ebullient teal hen revels in nurturing her large family. She feeds and bathes her hatchlings, reads to them, and takes them on joyfully chaotic outings, and "every year, Hattie [makes]each hatchling a perfectly-knitted treat, just for them." At last it's time for the youngsters to leave the nest. In a reversal of the first story, Hattie sails, parachutes, and treks across the world, taking her brood to their new habitats. Alone, Hattie returns home to knit gifts. The tone is wistful but not heavy. In a final twist, the far-flung hatchlings surprise Hattie with a birthday visit and "a perfectly-knitted treat, just for me." The illustrations bloom with details and are cleanly laid out in watercolor and charcoal textures against white backgrounds. Hattie's exuberant crew are a delightful lot, but the mama hen's color, size, and vivacity make her the focal point of the text and illustrations.