Culture 1 - Hunwick's Egg

A. Bibliography:

Fox, Mem. 2005. Hunwick's Egg. Harcourt. ISBN 0152163182.

B. Plot Summary:

Hunwick is a bandicoot that lives in the desert in Australia. After a storm, he finds an egg and quickly makes a home for it in his burrow. He and his friends anxiously await for the egg to hatch. During his waiting, Hunwick talks to to his new friend telling stories and sometimes sharing his troubles. His friends become worries that the egg will not hatch, but Hunwick takes it in stride and realizes his egg is a round stone and still continues to care for his new friend.

C. Critical Analysis:

Hunwick's Egg is a story that teaches friendship with no boundaries. Even though Hunwick knows in his heart the egg is a beautifully, round stone; he still continues to care for and confide in his new friend. This story shows that friendship, comradery, and having someone to share things with goes across all cultures and boundaries to effect all living things.

The illustrations also lend itself to help portray the Australian dessert in beautiful pastel tones and colors. Hunwick is a combination of a wide-eyed, furry curious rascal with a soft nurturing side that is discovered when he finds the egg. Hunwick's Egg proves love has no boundaries.

D. Review Excerpts:

Library Media Connection: "The simple story about unconditional love and acceptance is sure to become a favorite read-aloud for the preschool and early elementary audience."

School Library Journal: "This slightly offbeat story with a universal message about the power of friendship is accompanied by glowing watercolor pencil illustrations in orange,pink, and violet tones that showcase the flora and fauna of the Australian landscape, adding an interesting element to this charming title. Young readers will appreciate Hunwick's loyalty and may be curious to learn more about the exotic animals portrayed in the lovely artwork."

E. Connections:

Look for other books by Mem Fox that explore the human experience.

Fox, Mem. 1994. Koala Lou. Voyager Books. ISBN 1052000763.

Fox, Mem. 1991. Possum Magic. Voyager Books. ISBN 1052632247.

Fox, Mem. 1989. Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge. Kane/Miller Book Publishers. ISBN 091629126x.