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The Pinkish, Purplish, Bluish Egg
Everyone in the forest is afraid of Zeke the griffin until he does them all a very big favor.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
About the author
Bill Peet
55 books238 followersBill Peet was an American children's book illustrator and a story writer for Disney Studios. He joined Disney in 1937 and worked on The Jungle Book, Song of the South, Cinderella, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone, Goliath II, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, Pinocchio, Fantasia, The Three Caballeros, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and other stories.
After successes developing short stories for Disney, Peet had his first book published, Hubert's Hair Raising Adventure.
After successes developing short stories for Disney, Peet had his first book published, Hubert's Hair Raising Adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 10, 2020
Myrtle is a dove who finds an egg in a cave after her kids have left the nest. She gets the huge egg up in her nest and sits on it. All the other birds and owls are rather mean to her the whole time. They tell her she shouldn’t do that and they aren’t very supportive. It’s funny how difference makes the group scared and in turn sort of mean.
The egg does hatch and it’s a Griffin and he’s so cute - Zeke. The birds still don’t like him and fear him, but Myrtle pours her love into him. Eventually, he rids the woods of wolves and foxes peacefully and the birds are then happy.
This has to be one of Bill’s earlier works. The squirrels look just like squirrels from A Sword in the Stone. This is Bill’s version of the Ugly Duckling
The nephew thought Zeke was so cool. He wanted to ride on his back like Harry Potter did with Buckbeak. He gave this book 4 stars. He now knows the name Bill Peet, at least.
The egg does hatch and it’s a Griffin and he’s so cute - Zeke. The birds still don’t like him and fear him, but Myrtle pours her love into him. Eventually, he rids the woods of wolves and foxes peacefully and the birds are then happy.
This has to be one of Bill’s earlier works. The squirrels look just like squirrels from A Sword in the Stone. This is Bill’s version of the Ugly Duckling
The nephew thought Zeke was so cool. He wanted to ride on his back like Harry Potter did with Buckbeak. He gave this book 4 stars. He now knows the name Bill Peet, at least.
March 5, 2018
For those who have read Peet's work "Zella, Zack and Zodiac" this is almost the same type of story and follows about the same plot but with a change of events as well as the predominant characters. Unlike the former book, this one doesn't follow a young character who takes over parenting but instead one who has already parented and is facing the "empty nest" thus ends up going above and beyond to help enrich not only her life but that of a child in need.
The plot like the other book is also in rhyme but focuses more on a very small location and the beauty of a much closer, although non-supportive community. As a result the reader is given a chance to see what it takes to raise a special child and to continue to be a loving parent even when all the voices around you are negative or your own doubts began to surface.
The illustrations are nice and brightly beautiful while detailed in their smallest attention. Zeke along with the foxes and wolves have the most human-like faces in the telling but in the end it doesn't take away from the stories.
All in all the story itself is a nice and quick read for younger readers who may not really care or need to hear about the main lesson. Meanwhile for others they may be able to relate to Zeke and having to learn to be able enjoy life even when others may say you shouldn't exist. All in all it is probably now my most favorite Peet story and a great gift for mothers no matter the stage of life they may be facing.
The plot like the other book is also in rhyme but focuses more on a very small location and the beauty of a much closer, although non-supportive community. As a result the reader is given a chance to see what it takes to raise a special child and to continue to be a loving parent even when all the voices around you are negative or your own doubts began to surface.
The illustrations are nice and brightly beautiful while detailed in their smallest attention. Zeke along with the foxes and wolves have the most human-like faces in the telling but in the end it doesn't take away from the stories.
All in all the story itself is a nice and quick read for younger readers who may not really care or need to hear about the main lesson. Meanwhile for others they may be able to relate to Zeke and having to learn to be able enjoy life even when others may say you shouldn't exist. All in all it is probably now my most favorite Peet story and a great gift for mothers no matter the stage of life they may be facing.
September 3, 2012
This is the absolute first fantasy book I ever remember reading. I must have taken it out of the library from first grade through *blush* third grade about a hundred times. I was thrilled to find it still on the shelves, and have since bought my own copy (I figured it was about time).
Bill Peet's illustrations are as charming as his stories. This is for the thoughtful quiet child, probably not for the one that wants adventure.
Bill Peet's illustrations are as charming as his stories. This is for the thoughtful quiet child, probably not for the one that wants adventure.
March 9, 2010
Myrtle the dove is sad and depressed because her nest is empty; her children had flown off and left her. She held back her tears until they were out of sight then she went into a cave to cry. Inside the cave she spies a huge pinkish, purplish, bluish egg! She takes the egg back to her nest to hatch it. What kind of creature will emerge from the egg?
This is a fun story! I love the rhyming text and the beautiful colored-pencil illustrations that accompany it.
Instructional uses for The Pinkish, Purplish, Bluish Egg: (Read Aloud)
1. This is a fun story to read-aloud to young children because of the rhyming verses. During read-aloud the teacher can pause long enough while the story is being read to encourage the children to supply the next rhyming word.
2. After the story has been read, have a discussion about differences. Listen to student responses.
3. Here is an activity that I think would be fun to try. Hand out plain white paper and explain to the students that they will be creating an animal that is different than any animal they have ever seen.
Have students fold their paper in thirds, and then have them open it up. Tell the students to draw any kind of animal head in the first folded part of their paper extending the neck lines to the second folded section. Have the students all fold the first section back under the second section so that only the second and third folded sections are showing, then have the students all get up and switch seats. Explain to the class that they will now draw a body (just the body, no legs) that starts at the neck lines that the previous person drew, make sure they extend the leg lines into the third section. Again, have the students fold the second folded section back so that only the third section is showing with the beginning of the leg lines. Students will then switch seats with someone different and finish the legs and feet of the animal. When they open up the paper they will have a new animal to write about!
This is a fun story! I love the rhyming text and the beautiful colored-pencil illustrations that accompany it.
Instructional uses for The Pinkish, Purplish, Bluish Egg: (Read Aloud)
1. This is a fun story to read-aloud to young children because of the rhyming verses. During read-aloud the teacher can pause long enough while the story is being read to encourage the children to supply the next rhyming word.
2. After the story has been read, have a discussion about differences. Listen to student responses.
3. Here is an activity that I think would be fun to try. Hand out plain white paper and explain to the students that they will be creating an animal that is different than any animal they have ever seen.
Have students fold their paper in thirds, and then have them open it up. Tell the students to draw any kind of animal head in the first folded part of their paper extending the neck lines to the second folded section. Have the students all fold the first section back under the second section so that only the second and third folded sections are showing, then have the students all get up and switch seats. Explain to the class that they will now draw a body (just the body, no legs) that starts at the neck lines that the previous person drew, make sure they extend the leg lines into the third section. Again, have the students fold the second folded section back so that only the third section is showing with the beginning of the leg lines. Students will then switch seats with someone different and finish the legs and feet of the animal. When they open up the paper they will have a new animal to write about!
May 7, 2020
Reading Levels
DRA: 50
Lexile: 930L
Explanation of Star Rating: I gave this book two stars because overall I thought it was an ok children's book. I think the word choice works well in the book but I would not want to read this as a little girl. The book is about a colorful egg that is hatching and a bird nearby takes pleasure in visiting the egg every day to figure out what is going to come out of the egg.
Most standout trait(s): Word Choice
DRA: 50
Lexile: 930L
Explanation of Star Rating: I gave this book two stars because overall I thought it was an ok children's book. I think the word choice works well in the book but I would not want to read this as a little girl. The book is about a colorful egg that is hatching and a bird nearby takes pleasure in visiting the egg every day to figure out what is going to come out of the egg.
Most standout trait(s): Word Choice
May 7, 2026
Not really sure what hatched in this story and what the point was. Not a favorite Bill Peet book.
May 29, 2016
Myrtle the Turtledove is very sad, as she had to say goodbye to her children today, and now her nest is empty. When she ventures into a little cave nearby, she finds an egg. A really big one! So, with a little help from the squirrels, she takes the egg back and decides to raise it. What hatches is unlike anything the other birds have ever seen, but Myrtle raises Zeke just the same. But once he's all grown up, the other birds are scared of him. Could they be right? Could Zeke be dangerous?
This is absolutely one of the best Bill Peet stories, about ignoring what others think and following what you believe is right. Myrtle does whatever it takes to help and raise Zeke to be well-adjusted, and to instill values in him which will carry him through life, and help him make the right decisions. Despite expectations by the other birds that he become fierce, Zeke learns to follow his values, and ignore what the other birds think.
So many good moral lessons to be learned, and wonderful illustrations all throughout the book. This book epitomizes why I love the Bill Peet books.
This is absolutely one of the best Bill Peet stories, about ignoring what others think and following what you believe is right. Myrtle does whatever it takes to help and raise Zeke to be well-adjusted, and to instill values in him which will carry him through life, and help him make the right decisions. Despite expectations by the other birds that he become fierce, Zeke learns to follow his values, and ignore what the other birds think.
So many good moral lessons to be learned, and wonderful illustrations all throughout the book. This book epitomizes why I love the Bill Peet books.
June 19, 2014
I am so lucky to still have the copy I owned as a child, and to have been able to share this my child. Soon I hope to be able read it with my grandchild. The text is so easy and colourful, the pictures are simple yet portray so much. The story is in a rhyming style, with a rhythm that is natural. It is a beautiful way to introduce children to patterns in speech, and is certainly made for reading allowed.
The story introduces us to prejudice and compassion; to taking risks; and to find our place. The lead characters display courage to stand by their convictions. But you don't know you are learning such morals as a child, for you are lost in Zak's tale and the rhythm.
A wonderful wonderful book. I defy parents/grandparents not to enjoy reading this and sharing the humour with their child.
The story introduces us to prejudice and compassion; to taking risks; and to find our place. The lead characters display courage to stand by their convictions. But you don't know you are learning such morals as a child, for you are lost in Zak's tale and the rhythm.
A wonderful wonderful book. I defy parents/grandparents not to enjoy reading this and sharing the humour with their child.
December 5, 2010
My 5 year old daughter loved this book. She loves birds, eggs, rhymes, griffins, fairy tales, and stories of abandoned or lost characters who find someone kind who takes care of them. We read it last night. All day she's been writing her own stories about mysterious creatures hatching from eggs...
I thought the ending left something to be desired - at the end the author basically questions whether griffins are real at all. It seemed out of place with the rest of the cute story.
I thought the ending left something to be desired - at the end the author basically questions whether griffins are real at all. It seemed out of place with the rest of the cute story.
January 16, 2016
Myrtle, a dove suffering from quite literal empty nest syndrome, comes across a very odd egg in a cave. She adopts it and tends it as her own, even though when it hatches a griffin pops out. All the other forest creatures fear the griffin because he's so different. Myrtle encourages him and fights for him and in the end, he proves that the other animals (excepting wolves) have nothing to fear after all.
Nice, colorful illustrations.
Nice, colorful illustrations.
April 24, 2018
Cute story about an empty-nester turtle dove who finds a mysterious egg. She takes the egg home and is determined to hatch it, despite everyone else's nay-saying. The egg hatches and there is a griffin inside. The other birds warn her that she shouldn't raise the griffin, that he's dangerous or not real, but she loves him anyway. Eventually the griffin saves the day by chasing away foxes and wolves. Cute illustrations, lots of text. 5+
August 19, 2019
Myrtle the turtle dove, facing an empty nest, is depressed until she finds a big egg and decides she will hatch it. Much to the chagrin of the other birds, a griffin hatches from the egg. Myrtle names him Zeke, She teaches Zeke to fly, though the other birds laugh. When Zeke gets too big to sleep in a tree, he finds his old familiar cave, but Myrtle says he can’t sleep there because of foxes and wolves.
April 4, 2014
My all time favorite book as a child. I loved Bill Peet's illustrations. My mother checked hardbound copies of the book from the library over and over again for me. A paperback copy now sits on my bookshelf. I would recommend this book and any other Bill Peet book for anyone's children
March 29, 2016
"It's a funny rhyming book with funny pictures. I like how the griffin is part eagle, part bunny, part lion," stated the 7-year-old.
I like how the griffin realized he could destroy his "mother's" persecutors but didn't so as to respect her wishes. In the end he came up with a peaceful solution.
I like how the griffin realized he could destroy his "mother's" persecutors but didn't so as to respect her wishes. In the end he came up with a peaceful solution.
March 10, 2008
excellent - sweet story about a dedicated mama bird and her gentle gryffin son
July 6, 2008
Maybe my favorite book as a kid.
October 27, 2008
2019: Read with J.
April 23, 2009
This was my favourite book as a child. Brings back some very good memories of daily trips to the library when I was little.
March 26, 2010
MCL.
A dove was very sad because she had no eggs so she went into a cave where she found a big rock, but it was an egg that came into something right out of a fairy tale book called a griffin.
A dove was very sad because she had no eggs so she went into a cave where she found a big rock, but it was an egg that came into something right out of a fairy tale book called a griffin.
March 8, 2012
This is my favorite Bill Peet book!
April 24, 2012
This is the first book with rhyming poetry that I've bought for the boys, and much longer then they are used to. I hope they like it, since I love this book.
March 11, 2013
Such a cute story which I adored when I was young! Love it!
February 1, 2014
This is a great rhyming text. Pictures are beautiful!
September 22, 2015
What a lovely story, great rhyming scheme, nice illustrations. 4 stars instead of 5 because it bored my 5 year old out of his mind. I enjoyed it, though!
July 22, 2025
I love the illustrations whose texture pops off the page. The rhyming is fun, and there’s some nice stuff set up by a familiar story about fear of difference. But the book ends on an odd anti-climax, and the resolution makes less sense than I remembered. It’s an iconic book from my childhood, but it required some wishcasting to see the vague outline of meaning from its ultimate resolution.
May 25, 2020
This is probably the Bill Peet I remember most. Apparently most of early Bill Peet was in rhyme and again it flows really nicely. I like the fable story and it really speaks to my love of the fantastic.
February 25, 2026
Star Ratings:
⭐: DNF or not worth your time
⭐⭐: a decent read, but probably not recommended
⭐⭐⭐: a worthwhile read, but probably only once
⭐⭐⭐⭐: really liked it, think you should read it, too
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: a must read for everyone, and worthy of re-reading again and again.
⭐: DNF or not worth your time
⭐⭐: a decent read, but probably not recommended
⭐⭐⭐: a worthwhile read, but probably only once
⭐⭐⭐⭐: really liked it, think you should read it, too
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: a must read for everyone, and worthy of re-reading again and again.
January 7, 2020
The dove hatches a griffin and raises it. He takes all the wolves away.
Good.
Good.
August 31, 2024
Acceptance and love is the key to peace.
October 27, 2024
Loved this as a child.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews