Monotremes, birds, reptiles, molluscs, crustaceans and amphibians – all produce babies by laying eggs.
Heidi
Cooper-Smith’s latest picture book release, Hatch is a gorgeous
foray into just how and where these (Australian) animals facilitate this egg
laying / hatching phenomena.
Nestled between the most beguiling end papers – from eggs to hatchlings – Cooper-Smith escorts us from beach to mangrove inlet, forest floor to scrubby trees, and back again for an up-close and personal look at a selection of creatures preparing for parenthood.
This eye-to-eye point of view allows readers to acquaint themselves with every minute
aspect of that animal’s habitat as they bury their clutch of eggs, incubate them
or wait patiently for the right aquatic conditions. Timing is everything when
you’re an egg. And although many mothers stick around to ensure the well being
of their young, many others don’t. A handy balance to include in a book about
Nature behaving naturally.
Each
accompanying narrative sings a gentle ode to the creature’s nature and style of
egg laying. These lyrical homages are illustrated with exquisite, detailed precision
and stunning use of colour, often providing a cross-sectional view for the
reader. Movement, texture and even sound are portrayed though snaking roots,
dripping water droplets and drifting feathers.
Cooper-Smith
levels up the impact by deftly leading readers from one visually rich
environment to the next, one page turn at a time, with the clever inclusion of ‘easter
eggs’. Children are encouraged on literal egg hunt! Please let this reviewer know
if anyone can locate all six extra egg layers, because I confess, I cannot!
If
cute, cuddly, not so cuddly and curious critters and their babies along with
eye-wateringly accurate and beautiful illustrations are your thing, please source
Hatch. It’s simply egg-cellent!
Title: Hatch
Author Illustrator: Heidi Cooper-Smith
Publisher: CSIRO
Publication Date: 1 April 2025
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781486318278
For ages: 3 – 7
Type: Picture Book
