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The Talking Eggs: A Folktale from the American South
A Southern folktale in which kind Blanche, following the instructions of an old witch, gains riches, while her greedy sister makes fun of the old woman and is duly rewarded.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 1989
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2374 people want to read
About the author
Robert D. San Souci
96 books90 followersRobert Daniel San Souci (October 10, 1946 – December 19, 2014) was a multiple award-winning children's book author, who resided in San Francisco, California. He often worked with his brother, Daniel San Souci, a children's book illustrator. He was a consultant to Disney Studios and was instrumental in the production of the film Mulan, for which he wrote the story. He studied folklore in graduate school. He died after suffering a head injury while falling from a high height in San Francisco in December 2014. He was only 68 years old.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 393 reviews
June 13, 2019
I’ve never heard anything like this tale before. It is a great tale. It could be an excellent movie done right. It’s a Creole folktale. The artwork is done in colored pencils.
I love this line “They lived on a farm so poor, it looked like the tail end of bad luck.” That is a great way to start the tale. At first I thought this would be a retelling of Cinderella and it almost is, but this is much different. The youngest girl, Blanche, was sweet and she had to do all the work, while the older sister Rose was mean and bad tempered like her mother. Both of them wanted to be fancy ladies in the city and neither of them did anything. Young Blanche meets an old woman in the woods and gives her water and kindness. Her mom gets mad at Blanche for warm water and Blanche runs off. The old woman invites her home, but makes her promise not to laugh at what she sees. It’s a crazy place with mutated cows and colored chickens and the old woman can take off her head. After staying the night she is invited to take the talking eggs that say Take Me and leave the ones that say Don’t take me. The Don’t take me eggs are gold and silver and so pretty, but good Blanche obeys.
Blanche gets home and of course mom and Rose get greedy of all the beautiful things Blanche has and mom forces Rose to go look for that farm. Rose finds the lady and her inner nature comes out. She laughs at everything. When it’s her turn to take the eggs, so takes the pretty eggs that say Don’t take me and all kinds of plagues chase her. .
There is a wonderful wrap up at the end. I enjoyed this story very much. It was a great new story, with lots of imagination and a tale asking for the reader to have faith in humanity and not think everyone is out to get you like Rose does.
The niece thought this was a crazy story. She liked this a lot and she gave this 5 stars. The nephew laughed at the cows and both kids went crazy when the old woman took off her head. He liked this crazy story too. He gave it 4 stars.
I love this line “They lived on a farm so poor, it looked like the tail end of bad luck.” That is a great way to start the tale. At first I thought this would be a retelling of Cinderella and it almost is, but this is much different. The youngest girl, Blanche, was sweet and she had to do all the work, while the older sister Rose was mean and bad tempered like her mother. Both of them wanted to be fancy ladies in the city and neither of them did anything. Young Blanche meets an old woman in the woods and gives her water and kindness. Her mom gets mad at Blanche for warm water and Blanche runs off. The old woman invites her home, but makes her promise not to laugh at what she sees. It’s a crazy place with mutated cows and colored chickens and the old woman can take off her head. After staying the night she is invited to take the talking eggs that say Take Me and leave the ones that say Don’t take me. The Don’t take me eggs are gold and silver and so pretty, but good Blanche obeys.
Blanche gets home and of course mom and Rose get greedy of all the beautiful things Blanche has and mom forces Rose to go look for that farm. Rose finds the lady and her inner nature comes out. She laughs at everything. When it’s her turn to take the eggs, so takes the pretty eggs that say Don’t take me and all kinds of plagues chase her. .
There is a wonderful wrap up at the end. I enjoyed this story very much. It was a great new story, with lots of imagination and a tale asking for the reader to have faith in humanity and not think everyone is out to get you like Rose does.
The niece thought this was a crazy story. She liked this a lot and she gave this 5 stars. The nephew laughed at the cows and both kids went crazy when the old woman took off her head. He liked this crazy story too. He gave it 4 stars.
July 9, 2019
Indeed, I do realise and understand that Robert D. San Souci's The Talking Eggs won a 1990 Caldecott Honour designation for illustrator Jerry Pinkney. However and that all being said, while I have definitely appreciated Pinkney's accompanying illustrations, I have also never really been able to truly love them (as I tend to find his pictorial renderings rather too detailed and involved for my own personal tastes, leaving nothing much to and for my imagination, and the busyness of the visual detail even a trifle too stimulating at times, to the point of actually taking my attention, my eyes, away from what I personally think and believe ought to be the absolute star of the Talking Eggs and really of ANY type of folk or fairy tale, namely the actual text, the authors or reteller's written and printed words).
But even with regard to Robert D. San Souci's presented narrative, with his adapted text, although it is both gently and in my opinion even at times humorously recounted, and while it most certainly and definitely captures both the flair and colour of Louisiana, of the American South alongside of also (and importantly) bringing forth the standard but oh so essentially true and important folk and fairy tale messages of being kind to strangers, of following both cultural and general rules of acceptable human behaviour, of simply being sweet and with an accepting and tolerant temperament (all character traits very obviously and glowingly epitomised in and by the character of Blanche and shown as the cracked and in all ways horrid, nasty mirror image in spoiled and coddled older sister Rose and the mother), I do also and very much wish that Robert D. San Souci had presented a more detailed author's note than just the few words at the beginning stating that The Talking Eggs is an adapted Creole folktale originally included in a collection by Alcee Fortier (for while that source acknowledgment is indeed appreciated, why is the actual title of the collection not mentioned, why is only Alcee Fortier's name pointed out).
And furthermore, considering that if one begins perusing The Talking Eggs, one soon realises (or at least one should come to the conclusion) that this is in fact NOT only a Cinderella type of folktale (as is so often claimed), but that The Talking Eggs features vestiges of at least four specific Aarne-Thompson folktale types, with Cinderella (AT 510) actually being considerable less apparent (at least in my folkloric opinion) than AT 480 (the kind and unkind girls), AT 431 (the house in the forest) and AT 403 (the black and white brides), I very much do wish that the entire author's note had been considerably more expansive and detailed (especially since The Talking Eggs is to and for me content and thematics wise considerably more similar to so-called sibling quest than to Cinderella type of folktales, to stories in which the kind but generally bullied and often youngest daughter wins or rather successfully completes her tasks, her tests, but her generally nasty siblings when they then also try, when they also desire to obtain riches and admiration, rather miserably fail, stories like the Grimms' Mother Holle, The House in the Forest and the Irish folktale of Blond, Brown and Trembling).
Still even with my personal frustrations at the lack of a detailed (folkloric and academic) author's note (and I guess I am partially so vexed because so many of Robert D. San Souci's later folktale adaptions do contain meticulously researched and detailed author's notes that are an intellectual joy and as important to and for me as the actual presented texts are), I do highly recommend The Talking Eggs as a wonderful and readable Creole American folktale retelling (and yes, even Jerry Pinkney's accompanying illustrations very much suit the author's narrative, it is just that in and of themselves, they just are not really all that much to my personal aesthetic tastes, as they simply are a bit too overly detailed and therefore somewhat visually distracting to and for me.
But even with regard to Robert D. San Souci's presented narrative, with his adapted text, although it is both gently and in my opinion even at times humorously recounted, and while it most certainly and definitely captures both the flair and colour of Louisiana, of the American South alongside of also (and importantly) bringing forth the standard but oh so essentially true and important folk and fairy tale messages of being kind to strangers, of following both cultural and general rules of acceptable human behaviour, of simply being sweet and with an accepting and tolerant temperament (all character traits very obviously and glowingly epitomised in and by the character of Blanche and shown as the cracked and in all ways horrid, nasty mirror image in spoiled and coddled older sister Rose and the mother), I do also and very much wish that Robert D. San Souci had presented a more detailed author's note than just the few words at the beginning stating that The Talking Eggs is an adapted Creole folktale originally included in a collection by Alcee Fortier (for while that source acknowledgment is indeed appreciated, why is the actual title of the collection not mentioned, why is only Alcee Fortier's name pointed out).
And furthermore, considering that if one begins perusing The Talking Eggs, one soon realises (or at least one should come to the conclusion) that this is in fact NOT only a Cinderella type of folktale (as is so often claimed), but that The Talking Eggs features vestiges of at least four specific Aarne-Thompson folktale types, with Cinderella (AT 510) actually being considerable less apparent (at least in my folkloric opinion) than AT 480 (the kind and unkind girls), AT 431 (the house in the forest) and AT 403 (the black and white brides), I very much do wish that the entire author's note had been considerably more expansive and detailed (especially since The Talking Eggs is to and for me content and thematics wise considerably more similar to so-called sibling quest than to Cinderella type of folktales, to stories in which the kind but generally bullied and often youngest daughter wins or rather successfully completes her tasks, her tests, but her generally nasty siblings when they then also try, when they also desire to obtain riches and admiration, rather miserably fail, stories like the Grimms' Mother Holle, The House in the Forest and the Irish folktale of Blond, Brown and Trembling).
Still even with my personal frustrations at the lack of a detailed (folkloric and academic) author's note (and I guess I am partially so vexed because so many of Robert D. San Souci's later folktale adaptions do contain meticulously researched and detailed author's notes that are an intellectual joy and as important to and for me as the actual presented texts are), I do highly recommend The Talking Eggs as a wonderful and readable Creole American folktale retelling (and yes, even Jerry Pinkney's accompanying illustrations very much suit the author's narrative, it is just that in and of themselves, they just are not really all that much to my personal aesthetic tastes, as they simply are a bit too overly detailed and therefore somewhat visually distracting to and for me.
August 20, 2019
This version belongs in the Cinderella category of folk stories, and it turned out to be one of the very, very rare renditions of this rags-to-riches tale that doesn't have a prince nor left-behind footwear, and even rarer (in my experience): there's no stepmother. The wicked and abusive parent here is actually the girl's biological mother! The ugly stepsister is likewise the girl's full sibling.
Another distinction was that, whilst there's no fairy godmother, the role is still taken over: a kind woods witch plays the role. And the Cinderella girl rises above her miserable existence through the kindness that's rewarded when she succours an old woman. I liked this aspect, and the lovely art, the most from this version.
Another distinction was that, whilst there's no fairy godmother, the role is still taken over: a kind woods witch plays the role. And the Cinderella girl rises above her miserable existence through the kindness that's rewarded when she succours an old woman. I liked this aspect, and the lovely art, the most from this version.
August 4, 2019
Read this story to my students for the first time this year! Had the kiddos enthralled!
May 12, 2009
Interesting story with lots of traditional folktale/fairytale elements--i.e., good sister vs. bad sister, magical old woman who gives them challenges and one overcomes with her goodness and patience, the other succumbs due to her mean spirit. Creole origins so some great "flavor" to the story, and a few surprising twists! I wasn't really a fan of the illustrations, despite their Caldecott nod, so overall I would give this three stars though I definitely do recommend checking it out and surely others will appreciate the art more than I did!
October 9, 2013
This is a spellbinding tale of two sisters, their mother, an old witch- woman, some very odd animals and a whole lot of talking eggs. It is based on a Creole folktale and captures the flavour of the American South.
The illustrations are beautiful and can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
It is a story which highlights the virtues of kindness and generosity and the dangers of greed; A wonderful moral teaching lesson for everyone.
Library copy
The illustrations are beautiful and can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
It is a story which highlights the virtues of kindness and generosity and the dangers of greed; A wonderful moral teaching lesson for everyone.
Library copy
October 27, 2013
“The Talking Eggs” is a very lovable yet surreal tale about an innocent little girl named Blanche who overcomes greed and cruelty by helping an elderly woman who may not be who she seems in Robert San Souci’s version of this famous Creole tale.
Robert D. San Souci’s retelling of the ancient Creole tale is marvelous as it contains lots of scenes dealing with magic and also some suspense, especially in the end referring to the fate of Rose and her mother. Robert D. San Souci’s language is simple yet soothing as Blanche makes fast friends with the old woman. Jerry Pinkney’s illustrations are truly beautiful and creative. His drawings display realistic looking people and surroundings as he masterfully gives details in the characters facial expressions and provides appropriate colors for the environment surrounding the main characters.
“The Talking Eggs” is one of the most beautiful and surreal stories I have ever read. Robert D. San Souci’s narrative and Jerry Pinkney’s drawings both created a story that is full of magic and laughter that will be a favorite among both kids and adults for many years. This book also beautifully describes the cultures of the Creole people in the olden days. Children who would like to explore the heritages of the Creole people back then would really enjoy reading this book for references.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
September 14, 2020
A fine retelling of a Creole folktale. I really had no idea where this one was going - it seemed like a strange combination of Cinderella and Baba Yaga. Most fairy tales seem so familiar that it was fun being surprised by one.
I loved those many colored hens!
I loved those many colored hens!
July 10, 2014
Old World European fairytale meets New World Creole revision = eggs talking. Two daughters and their mother live in the backwoods of Louisiana. Of course, one child is good and one is bad, and the mother is nothing to write home about (whew). As we think we're scrambling down a Grimm Cinderella path, the backwoods take over and an old woman appears.
You got a spirit of do-right in your soul. God is gonna bless you.
While you can anticipate where the story is headed, there are some surprises along the way. The folktale itself is thought to have been brought over by the French Acadians (Cajuns) and it developed with a Gullah remix.
The text by San Souci is wonderful and the illustrations are from the great Jerry Pinkney (The Lion and the Mouse). Here is Pinkney's explanation of his amazing artwork:
The full-color artwork was prepared using pencil, colored pencils, and watercolor. It was then color-separated and reproduced as red, blue, yellow, and black halftones.
Book Season = Autumn (two-headed cows)
You got a spirit of do-right in your soul. God is gonna bless you.
While you can anticipate where the story is headed, there are some surprises along the way. The folktale itself is thought to have been brought over by the French Acadians (Cajuns) and it developed with a Gullah remix.
The text by San Souci is wonderful and the illustrations are from the great Jerry Pinkney (The Lion and the Mouse). Here is Pinkney's explanation of his amazing artwork:
The full-color artwork was prepared using pencil, colored pencils, and watercolor. It was then color-separated and reproduced as red, blue, yellow, and black halftones.
Book Season = Autumn (two-headed cows)
May 15, 2019
Mazza che orrore di storia!!! Mia suocera americana ci azzecca sempre con i libri per i suoi nipoti...non ci poteva spedire di meglio!! Illustrazioni orribili con un'accozzaglia di racconto tra Cenerentola e l'horror psichedelico.....
Meno male che ho aperto il libro prima di proporlo a mia figlia questa sera come lettura pre nanna.....
avrei rischiato il lettone x i prossimi 6 mesi!!!
Meno male che ho aperto il libro prima di proporlo a mia figlia questa sera come lettura pre nanna.....
avrei rischiato il lettone x i prossimi 6 mesi!!!
March 8, 2022
A version of the kind and unkind girls from Louisanna, with the sweet and kind Blanche and the spoiled Rose. It starts out with Blanche giving an old woman a drink at a well, but then her mother and sister throw her out for being slow, and she stays at the old woman's very strange place, and it's that that Rose tries to emulate.
November 11, 2022
Here's a fairy tale styled story that teaches the moral lesson that it pays to be good.
Ages: 5 - 10
Cleanliness: Fairy tale magic, two headed cow, chickens that lay magical eggs, and an old woman that takes her head off her shoulders to comb her hair. The words "hollering bl**dy murder" and "stupidest" are used.
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Ages: 5 - 10
Cleanliness: Fairy tale magic, two headed cow, chickens that lay magical eggs, and an old woman that takes her head off her shoulders to comb her hair. The words "hollering bl**dy murder" and "stupidest" are used.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
February 26, 2020
Based on a Creole folktale first collected by Alcee Fortier in 19th century Louisiana, The Talking Eggs is the story of two sisters - the lazy, unpleasant Rose, and the hard-working, kindhearted Blanche - and the very different rewards they are given, for their very different behavior, while a guest in the home of a powerful old witch-woman. Blanche, who is much put upon by her mother and sister, follows the witch's instructions to the letter, politely refraining from laughing at the old woman's two-headed cow and colorful chickens, cooking the dinner just as she is told to do, and taking the magical eggs (the ones that say "take me") she has been offered. Rose, on the other hand, is pointedly rude about the witch's odd animal companions, complains about the dinner (which doesn't turn out nearly as well as Blanche's), and grabs the jeweled eggs she has not been given leave to take. Predictably, one sister is rewarded with wealth and fortune, and the other with a retinue of snakes, wasps and wolves, that pursues her home...
An example of the "Kind and Unkind Girl" tale type - number 480, in the Aarne-Thompson folklore classification system, - The Talking Eggs appears, according to Robert D. San Souci's brief introductory note, to have European antecedents, but to have been adapted by a variety of African communities in the Americas, from the Louisiana Creole to the Gullah peoples. That makes a lot of sense to me, as this tale is so strongly reminiscent of French stories like Toads and Diamonds , or German ones like Mother Holly . Leaving aside issues of comparative folklore (although I am glad that the author mentioned his source material), this is just an engaging story in its own right, and will appeal to those who appreciate magical tales, and stories of the worthy and unworthy getting their just deserts. I don't know that Jerry Pinkney is my all-time favorite illustrator, but his artwork here was very appealing, and deserved the Caldecott Honor it won, I think. Recommended to young folklore enthusiasts, and to fans of Pinkney's artwork.
An example of the "Kind and Unkind Girl" tale type - number 480, in the Aarne-Thompson folklore classification system, - The Talking Eggs appears, according to Robert D. San Souci's brief introductory note, to have European antecedents, but to have been adapted by a variety of African communities in the Americas, from the Louisiana Creole to the Gullah peoples. That makes a lot of sense to me, as this tale is so strongly reminiscent of French stories like Toads and Diamonds , or German ones like Mother Holly . Leaving aside issues of comparative folklore (although I am glad that the author mentioned his source material), this is just an engaging story in its own right, and will appeal to those who appreciate magical tales, and stories of the worthy and unworthy getting their just deserts. I don't know that Jerry Pinkney is my all-time favorite illustrator, but his artwork here was very appealing, and deserved the Caldecott Honor it won, I think. Recommended to young folklore enthusiasts, and to fans of Pinkney's artwork.
March 4, 2011
Is it just me? I didn't particularly like Jerry Pinkney's illustrations for John Henry and now I feel about the same for his illustrations here. Both books won Caldecott honors, so either I'm missing something or I just don't share a personal taste with those who gave the awards. Or I'm being particularly critical for some reason right now. I have liked his illustrations in other books, such as Noah's Ark and The Ugly Duckling.
I did enjoy San Souci's retelling of this folktale of two sisters and the talking eggs with its Cajun/Southern overtones. Moral of the story: It pays to be obedient and hard-working.
I did enjoy San Souci's retelling of this folktale of two sisters and the talking eggs with its Cajun/Southern overtones. Moral of the story: It pays to be obedient and hard-working.
October 5, 2017
The Talking Eggs seems to draw from several well-known fairy tales: Cinderella, Diamonds and Toads, and Baba Yaga. I think it appeals to kids because they enjoy seeing an underdog come out on top. Personally, I appreciated the fact that we never have to see the woman remove her head - the text simple alludes to it. I also absolutely loved the clothed rabbits and their different faces, outfits, and dance moves. That page of the book has a ton of personality!
November 18, 2016
It's too bad that I didn't have a copy of this story when I was about eight or nine years old and avidly reading fairy tales. I think this would have been one of those stories that I would have read over and over again. I can see why this was recognized by the Caldecott committee, but some of the faces felt too awkward. (But I prefer this style over people who are drawn to look 'beautiful.')
April 4, 2016
This enchanting story wo one of the Caldecott Honor Medal in the year 1990. The story is a re-telling of a Creole folktale. In the folktale, their ate two sisters, who are as different as night and day. The eldest sister is Rose who is offensive, rude, and selfish. The youngest is Blanche who is quiet, kind, and selfless. Their mother was partial to Rose, for they were like peas in a pod. Blanche was always sent off to do all the chores while Rose and their mother daydreamed on the porch of living in the city and having riches. One day, Blanche was on the way to the well fetching for water, when she found a thirsty old lady who asked for some water. Blanche gladly served her some, then returned home. When she got home the water was no longer cool and Rose threw the bucket and both mother and daughter started yelling and hitting her, so she ran away to the woods. There she found the lady again who offered her home to Blanche, with the promise to not laugh at anything she saw. Blanche accepted and headed with the lady deep into the woods. Once they got to her house, Blanche saw all kinds of strange creatures, like a core with two heads that did not moo, chickens of every color that made sounds like a mockingbird, the old woman could take her dead off to brush her hair, a bone that made a whole pot of stew, and a grain of rice, that against the mortar turned into a full pot of rice. Once they ate, they went outside and found the entertainment were some rabbits dressed formally dancing around the backyard, while another rabbit played the banjo. Blanche was so excited for all she saw, but soon fell asleep. The next day she milked the cow with the two heads that gave her the sweetest milk for their coffee. And after breakfast, was soon sent home by the old lady. But before she set her of the three henhouse to fetch herself a parting gift. She was told to pick some eggs, but only the eggs that told her to pick them and was strongly advised to leave those who did not want to be picked. The eggs that wanted to be picked were as plain as those in Blanche’s home, yet those that did not want to be picked were colorful and full of jewels. The old lady instructed Blanche to throw the eggs over her left shoulder on her way home, and so she did. From each egg came tremendous riches, trained dresses, a carriage, a horse to drive it, among others. When she returned home, her mother and sister wanted to know where she got all the treasure, but instead of asking, their mother treated Blanche kindly, she even cooked for her. And during the meal asked her, and Blanche told them all about the lady. When she fell asleep, their mother instructed Rose to sought out the old lady and house, so that she could get riches too. Then they would steal Blanche’s and set out to the city as they always dreamed. Rose did so, but did everything different from Blanche, she laughed at the cow and chickens. She mocked the bone and grain of rice, so they had a very light supper. Rose could not sleep, for she heard mice scurrying around. The next morning, she fetched sour milk from the cow because she was making fun of it. And when the old lady took her head off, Rose snatched it so that she could give her all she gave to Blanche. Knowing Rose, instead of taking the plain eggs, she took the jeweled ones and as soon as she threw then from her right shoulder they turned into all kinds of pests, and even a big grey wolf. Their mother tried to scare away the pests, but they were insistent and both ended up running away from them. When they returned home afterwards, Blanche had already left with her treasures and was living in the city with all the riches, but maintained her kindness.
This story, also has a Cinderella kind of theme going on. It is completely suitable for children, for it teaches them manners and to be kind. It specially shows children they should not make fun of people because they are different. And it also shows to follow instructions and to not be misled by appearances, for the difference between the talking eggs with riches and pests was listening to those who asked to be picked, and picking then, even though they were not the most beautiful ones.
This is my first southern folktale, so I have not read the original. But from the reviews I read, this version was an excellent rendition of the tale. I enjoyed the drawing, the storyline, and the all sound craziness with all that composed the old lady’s house. The illustrations showed every feeling the characters had on their faces, and we’re very realistic. Well, as realistic as can be when you have creatures like a two headed cow and an assortment of colored chickens.
This story, also has a Cinderella kind of theme going on. It is completely suitable for children, for it teaches them manners and to be kind. It specially shows children they should not make fun of people because they are different. And it also shows to follow instructions and to not be misled by appearances, for the difference between the talking eggs with riches and pests was listening to those who asked to be picked, and picking then, even though they were not the most beautiful ones.
This is my first southern folktale, so I have not read the original. But from the reviews I read, this version was an excellent rendition of the tale. I enjoyed the drawing, the storyline, and the all sound craziness with all that composed the old lady’s house. The illustrations showed every feeling the characters had on their faces, and we’re very realistic. Well, as realistic as can be when you have creatures like a two headed cow and an assortment of colored chickens.
September 28, 2011
This book can teach a lot about greed and cruelty. This is a 1990 Caldecot winner, however, I did not really like the story let alone the pictures. I could not get into this story.
August 31, 2016
1990 Caldecott Honor - Favorite Illustration: I love all the fun colors and clothing that the dancing rabbits wear; that looks like such a magical place to be and party to watch!
Blanche is a sweet girl who is underappreciated and abused by her mother and sister. One day, after being fed up with their treatment, Blanche runs to the woods and finds a strange old woman there. She goes home with the old woman and sees many strange things, but follows instructions and helps out. She is then rewarded with some talking eggs and many precious things. Of course, when she returns home her sister wants the same things and sets out to find the strange old woman. What she learns is that beauty isn't always what is on the outside, and being kind matters more than all the riches in the world.
I enjoyed this tale, kind of a conglomeration of many other fairy tales. The illustrations fit the tale perfectly and I loved seeing all the magical creatures. I also really appreciated that although the old woman could take her head off, the illustrations didn't make it scary or creepy in any way that might frighten a small child.
Blanche is a sweet girl who is underappreciated and abused by her mother and sister. One day, after being fed up with their treatment, Blanche runs to the woods and finds a strange old woman there. She goes home with the old woman and sees many strange things, but follows instructions and helps out. She is then rewarded with some talking eggs and many precious things. Of course, when she returns home her sister wants the same things and sets out to find the strange old woman. What she learns is that beauty isn't always what is on the outside, and being kind matters more than all the riches in the world.
I enjoyed this tale, kind of a conglomeration of many other fairy tales. The illustrations fit the tale perfectly and I loved seeing all the magical creatures. I also really appreciated that although the old woman could take her head off, the illustrations didn't make it scary or creepy in any way that might frighten a small child.
October 15, 2010
Author: retold by Robert San Souci
Publisher and Date: Dial Books for Young Readers, 1998
Summary: Blanche is stuck living with her selfish, cruel mother and sister, Rose. Unlike Rose, Blanche works hard around the farm and asks for nothing in return. Without thinking twice she helps an old woman in the forest. Blanche’s kind gesture leads to a life of good fortune. Unfortunately, Rose had a greedy plan to follow her sister’s kind actions that in the end, awards her with what she deserves.
Response: This is a timeless tale that I love reading to my students. The motif of a cruel mother and older sister can be compared with many stories children are familiar with. Students are able to understand the author’s purpose and can identify the lesson taught about the repercussions of being selfish and greedy. Similar to the tale, Beauty and the Beast the old woman tests Blanche before helping her. In The Talking Eggs however, Blanche passes the test of the “helper”. It allows students to make text-to-text connections as well as compare and contrast the motifs in these tales.
Publisher and Date: Dial Books for Young Readers, 1998
Summary: Blanche is stuck living with her selfish, cruel mother and sister, Rose. Unlike Rose, Blanche works hard around the farm and asks for nothing in return. Without thinking twice she helps an old woman in the forest. Blanche’s kind gesture leads to a life of good fortune. Unfortunately, Rose had a greedy plan to follow her sister’s kind actions that in the end, awards her with what she deserves.
Response: This is a timeless tale that I love reading to my students. The motif of a cruel mother and older sister can be compared with many stories children are familiar with. Students are able to understand the author’s purpose and can identify the lesson taught about the repercussions of being selfish and greedy. Similar to the tale, Beauty and the Beast the old woman tests Blanche before helping her. In The Talking Eggs however, Blanche passes the test of the “helper”. It allows students to make text-to-text connections as well as compare and contrast the motifs in these tales.
August 9, 2016
Love this folk tale!! Love the story and really, really love the illustrations. I especially love the illustration of the rabbits dancing.
Rose and Blanche are sisters. Rose is mean and lazy and not very bright...and favored by her mother. Blanche is kind, hard-working and intelligent. One day Blanche gives an old woman a drink. Later the old woman helps her although she is helped because Blanche continues to be kind, honest and caring. When their mother sees how the woman has helped Blanche and given her riches, she tells Rose to go into the forest, find the woman and gain riches as well. However things don't work out for the selfish, spoiled and dishonest Rose.
Rose and Blanche are sisters. Rose is mean and lazy and not very bright...and favored by her mother. Blanche is kind, hard-working and intelligent. One day Blanche gives an old woman a drink. Later the old woman helps her although she is helped because Blanche continues to be kind, honest and caring. When their mother sees how the woman has helped Blanche and given her riches, she tells Rose to go into the forest, find the woman and gain riches as well. However things don't work out for the selfish, spoiled and dishonest Rose.
June 29, 2016
I clearly remember reading this in elementary school. It will be one of the books that I absolutely make sure that my children read.
Another read that comes to mind The Fairy's Mistake by Gail Carson Levine; which both share similar themes.
Another read that comes to mind The Fairy's Mistake by Gail Carson Levine; which both share similar themes.
June 18, 2015
This book reminded me a lot of Cinderella. The mother and sister treated the youngest sister poorly. However like Cinderella, the youngest sister was rewarded for her kind nature. I think this book would be a good example for young children that the way we act can have an effect on what happens to us in life.
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February 13, 2018Jerry Pinkney is my favorite Illustrator! He has done a great job with the pictures in this book. The details in this book is very real. I can see the very details in the different scenery. The illustrations go with the words in the book and with each page that I have turned to read there is a beautiful picture. Love this Book and the illustrations more.
March 5, 2012
I really enjoyed the illustrations and the feel of the story as I read. Ive read an European version of this story and I enjoyed the differences and the imaginings of the illustrator.
October 11, 2012
Notes:
the woman takes off her head!!
revolting.
the woman takes off her head!!
revolting.
February 26, 2020
Coretta Scott King Book Illustration Honor Book, Irma Simonton Black Book Award Winner, Caldecott Medal
Preschool-3rd grade
Blanche and her sister both meet an old woman in the woods. The two girls treat the woman very differently, with very different results.
Blanche is described as a sweet, kind young girl. Her mother and her sister Rose are both described as wicked and cruel. I know there’s a really similar fairy tale called Diamonds and Toads, but I’m not familiar with any other versions that include the eggs or the animals. I’m not sure I would use this version for storytelling because it’s kind of text-heavy, but it’s still a great book.
Preschool-3rd grade
Blanche and her sister both meet an old woman in the woods. The two girls treat the woman very differently, with very different results.
Blanche is described as a sweet, kind young girl. Her mother and her sister Rose are both described as wicked and cruel. I know there’s a really similar fairy tale called Diamonds and Toads, but I’m not familiar with any other versions that include the eggs or the animals. I’m not sure I would use this version for storytelling because it’s kind of text-heavy, but it’s still a great book.
August 22, 2024
We love folk & fairy tales in our home and this Creole tale has echos of some other French fairy tales that we've read. Our family loved it with its deep South American overtones.
February 24, 2025
A classic fairytale set in the American South. Illustrations are a bit busy, but some children may enjoy poring over them to find fun little details.
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