21
Aug
Small Press Stories: Hank Finds an Egg
Hank Finds an Egg
by Rebecca Dudley
**Small Press Stories” on Sturdy for Common Things is a new regular series featuring children’s books from small, independent publishers. They aren’t often on everyone’s radar, so this is my way of giving a shout out to the little dudes.**
Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indiebound
Published: Peter Pauper Press (June 1, 2013)
Recommended Reading Age: 3 & up
In a nutshell: I have an affinity for the use of diorama’s in children’s books and I wish there were more of them. They tend to be infrequent gems that pop up year to year. Last year, You Are Stardust was this gem. This summer, when Hank Finds an Egg was released, I whooped for joy as it is yet another gorgeous and whimsical picture book to add to the collection.
Artist Rebecca Dudley has been posting a story in photographs on her blog storywoods for over three years. She builds the dioramas, lights them, and takes the pictures. A one (wo)man band. Her main cast of woodland characters, who look part bear cub and part monkey, include Hank, Skipper, Li’l Smokey, and a few more to boot. She originally self-published a of couple books, Li’l Smokey’s Special Box and Hank Finds an Egg and Makes Several Friends, which are now out of print. Hank Finds an Egg and Makes Several Friends was picked up by Peter Pauper Press, given a breath of new life, and now we have this lovely book:
Entirely wordless, the story all begins when Hank finds an egg in the forest and makes it his mission to get it back to where it belongs. The effects are truly spectacular. The lighting and construction of each frame is truly spellbinding. We’ve cherished reading this book the entire time it was granted to us from the library. It will be added it to our personal collection ASAP.
Do you have a favorite children’s book that uses diorama? Please share in the comments below!
Don’t take my word for it: “This is a story about the mystery in the everyday, the excitement that can ring through a peaceful nature walk and the sometimes unexpected interplay between living creatures and their environment. ” – via Pamela Paul, NY Times
Trailer:
Extras: Visit Hank (and friends) on Rebecca Dudley’s blog, storywoods.
Source of book reviewed: My local library!
Oh, this looks too adorable! Checking the library…
I love Lauren Child’s Princess and the Pea. That’s the first one that came to mind.
I’ve seen Lauren Child’s Goldilocks and the Three Bears book, but I didn’t know she has a Princess and the Pea book!
It’s GORGEOUS. I like Goldilocks, too, but she created the characters herself for the Princess and the Pea.
I was just going to say, Lauren Child’s Goldilocks!! Oh MY STARS, this is just….this is just amazing. I’ll be getting this for my toddler nephew asap.