Small Speckled Egg (Start Small, Think Big, #1)

SMALL SPECKLED EGG is an engaging nonfiction picture book that teaches children about the arctic tern. The book is told from the perspective of an arctic tern beginning when she is an egg, following her as she grows, all the way until she has eggs of her own. At each step of the way, children are given basic facts about the birds, the food they eat, and the places where they go. The arctic tern grows up in the Arctic, until it is time to migrate all the way to Antarctica, and then back. The end of the book includes a fold-out poster that reinforces the information learned in the book.

What I loved: This is a simple and educational book that will work well for young elementary school aged children. It teaches not only about the arctic tern, but also about eggs, migration, and community. The facts are very easy to understand and explained in terms that little ones can easily grasp. The perspective of the story being one arctic tern also gives it a bit of a story feel for children who are not quite into straight nonfiction.

The font is clear and easy to read throughout with a great use of visuals to show migration paths, egg development, and the birds across their lives. The book really makes learning fun with plenty to explore over the course of the story. The fold-out page at the end really brings it all together for reinforcement of learning.

Final verdict: SMALL SPECKLED EGG is an entertaining educational book about arctic terns that teaches young elementary school aged readers about egg development, migration, and more. Recommend for curious children who want to learn more.