The Cow That Laid An Egg by Andy Cutbill

Template:Infoboxsort Marjorie feels terribly ordinary: other cows do all kinds of amazing things, from riding bicycles to doing hand-stands, but there is nothing special about Marjorie. Kindly chickens overhear her complaints and hatch a clever plan. The next day, Marjorie causes a furore in the farmyard: she's laid an egg. Instant celebrity ensues, with television, radio and Moos of the World widely reporting. Other cows, whose accomplishments pale by comparison, get suspicious though. Will something hatch from Marjorie's egg? And, crucially, what will it be?

Oh, it's truly a madcap story, with a great wee plotline and a poke at the modern, vacuous celebrity crazes, very entertaining for the parent even if lost on the child.

But it's the illustrations that make The Cow That Laid an Egg: dynamic to the point of being manic, very expressive (those faces - both animal and human!) and very funny. The typesetting, lines and shapes are very bold, while the colours - thankfully - are not entirely so, and the overall feel is classy and very modern.

There is also a little moral at the end, regarding the courage to stick to one's convictions, and if the parent wishes, they can improvise other topic, from nature vs. nurture (and even adoption!) to sensation-seeking media.

Altogether, definitely one to consider for preschoolers and children just beginning primary school, although will not necessarily have a huge staying power and for those on limited budget, might be better borrowed and not bought.

Thanks to the publishers for sending this title to the Bookbag.

Jez Alborough's Some Dogs Do has a similar message about believing in your the dream, while Oliver Jeffers' The Way Back Home has outstanding modern artwork in a slightly less madcap (if a more fantastic) story.

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You can read more book reviews or buy The Cow That Laid An Egg by Andy Cutbill at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.

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