Out of the Egg
Written and illustrated by Tina Matthews
Houghton Mifflin Co. (2007); $12.95
ISBN-13: 978-0618737413

Review by Amy Brozio-Andrews

Let's admit it: as parents, we like to think we know best. And maybe (okay, probably) we do, most of the time. But every now and again, those kids can surprise us, can't they, seeing things in a way we can't? And so it is with Tina Matthews' Out of the Egg, with its surprising twist on the classic story of the Little Red Hen. She's still working hard (and by herself!), but now she's all grown up and has a chick of her own, who's clearly inherited her mother's independent streak.

Like in the previous versions of the Little Red Hen, the eponymous character finds herself with tasks to do and no one willing to help her. This time, Red Hen has found a green seed. She asks Fat Cat, Dirty Rat, and Greedy Pig who will help plant the seed, water the sapling, weed around it, and shelter it from the storm. And true to tradition, time and time again they each reply, "Not I." Time passes and Red Hen soon has a little red chick who runs and plays under the peaceful tree. When approached by a little Rat, a little Cat, and a little Pig asking who will let them come and play in the green meadow, Red Hen (of course) replies, "Not I." And then her little red chick pipes up, changing her mother's perspective in an instant.

Sometimes, re-tellings and "what happens next" stories based on well-known childhood classics go too far, being too modern or flip, but Tina Matthews' prose maintains that traditional storytelling style, tone, and voice that paves the way for Out of the Egg to become a modern classic.

Matthews' clearly updates the story via her artwork -- Japanese woodblock prints illustrate that each time the cat, rat, and pig deny the little red hen, they're either speeding away in a convertible, typing on the computer, or sitting in front of a fully decked-out entertainment center. It's an interesting juxtaposition, this modern illustration with a old-fashioned look, simple black and white art (only the hens and the seed/sapling/tree are green) that keeps the focus of the book tightly on the story at hand. The expressions and body language of the cat, rat, and pig speak volumes; it's quite clear they're bored with the hen and couldn't care less about helping her.

Again, the themes of hard work and independence paying off are present, paired with the idea of reserving judgment and forgiveness conveyed with wide-eyed innocence and told in a simple, gentle manner that's sure to be clear to both children and their parents. Matthews' lesson, taught by way of the little red chick, demonstrates the wisdom that can come from children, free of the life experiences that color so many of the decisions adults make, who can see things in black and white, instead of so many shades of gray. Times change, and so can we, looking with fresh eyes at a new generation.