Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: Daniel Goes on an Egg Hunt (Ready To Read: Pre-Level One)

PreS-Gr 1--Daniel and his family are going on an egg hunt in the neighborhood garden. As Daniel and his friends search for eggs, he asks readers to identify the number and colors of the eggs found. When Daniel realizes his little sister, Margaret, has not found any eggs, he takes her paw to help her search. Only one egg is left, so Daniel takes one of the three eggs out of his basket and hides it for Margaret to find. Daniel Tiger is a perennial favorite among children and parents for a reason. Daniel's life lessons are modeled and reinforced as the norm, through relevant and relatable examples. Daniel's help and sharing with Margaret is not lauded as remarkable in any way. His parents simply smile, while Daniel acknowledges his kind act only by saying, "Margaret and I both have two eggs!" Text is simple and brief, perfect for early and emerging readers. While the plot revolves around an egg hunt, no holiday is mentioned in connection with it. The neighborhood is populated with a diverse array of characters, including anthropomorphized animals and humans of varying skin tones. The images and messaging are consistent with the show and other books. VERDICT A concept-rich early reader, recommended for general purchase wherever Daniel Tiger titles are popular.--Elizabeth Lovsin