You might think you know the tale of the Little Red Hen, and even though this time it's about tending a seedling rather than the baking of bread, you probably know how it ends. But this story for youngsters 3 and up turns out quite differently when the hard-working Red Hen lays a perfect white egg, and out of this egg comes a chick with a mind of her own. Tina Matthews' simply told tale nevertheless contains many overlapping layers and themes, illustrated with boldly contrasted woodcuts accented with red (for the hen) and green (for the growing things).
"The telling is spare and sprightly, and the story is all on the side of the young.... The modest, prim tone is made mischievous by such details as the sight of Greedy Pig too busy vegging out in front of his flat screen TV to help a friend in need."—Horn Book
