Not An Egg

by Cheryl Matthynssens

Helping a child accept that there will be a new baby in the house can be difficult. Not an Egg is a view of the feelings an older child can experience when a family is expecting a new child. For a child who is used to getting all the attention, this create feelings of being left out or competing with the new baby. Not an Egg allows your child to explore these feelings through the eyes of a little dragon and a new egg. It leaves the parent an opportunity to discuss what to expect and that love is not something with a limited content. Follow Seafaria as she learns of a new egg, the changes that an egg brings, and then the joys and wonder of a little brother.

38 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2014

About the author

Cheryl Matthynssens was born in Upland, California, holds a teaching degree and is a licensed addictions counselor. This has allowed her to interview hundreds of personalities over her career.
She loves that everyone is unique and this appreciation and interest has informed and inspired her writing.

Matthynssens enjoys the universe of fantasy for the way it connects to the mind’s creativity and imagination as a colorful escape to distant lands of mystical beasts and fantastic quests where the hero really does save the day. As she’s matured artistically, Matthynssens has found writing to be a comforting counterbalance to a world where beloved characters don’t always get back up after they fall down.

Matthynssens currently lives in Riverside, Washington, and has four beautiful children and four wonderful grandchildren

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this short children’s book, the parent dragons are soon expecting their second child (an egg will soon hatch). The story is told through the eyes of the eldest child, exploring the various emotions associated with not being the only child.

First, I really liked the imagery. There’s a beach, fun in the water, and, of course, the dragons! Next, and probably more importantly, the eldest child explores feelings of jealousy, wonder, acceptance, and eventually joy at the idea of having a sibling. The parent dragons explain to their child that their love for their first born will not be diminished by the arrival of a second child; love is infinite.

Many of us, as adults, know that love comes in many flavors. But for a children’s book, I felt this was a positive and worthy, if hopeful, message for kids. It was enjoyable to get caught up in the tale of a little dragon family on the beach.

Narration: Valerie Gilbert did a great job. She had the most adorable little kid voice for the kid dragon. Her voice for the mother dragon was soothing and womanly all at once. The voice she used for the father dragon was patient. All around, a great job for this kids’ book.

What I Liked: The cover art; dragon family on the beach!; kid dragon gets to explore all his feelings.

What I Disliked: Nothing – I think this is great for kids!

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a great book and look forward to my little one reading it when we expand the family