Little Grunt and the Big Egg: A Prehistoric Fairytale

The whole Grunt tribe is looking forward to a giant omelet when Little Grunt's egg hunt unearths a huge specimen. Their smiles of anticipation turn to frowns when the potential brunch source blossoms into a freshly hatched dinosaur. George is a lovable little fellow, then a lovable big fellow, then the disgruntled Grunts kick him out. He's not housebroken, and his immense size and strength create other annoyances, such as blowing away the relatives with a single sneeze. Little Grunt is broken-hearted until George proves his worth by rescuing the family from certain doom, and receives suitable approbation--and a final surprise. DePaola's books possess his inimitable stamp, and this prehistoric romp is no exception: the round-faced Grunt clan is unmistakably his, as are the many comical touches such as Chief Rockhead's green banana headdress and the ladies' costume jewelry. This lively twist on the familiar tale of a boy and his pet is sure to provoke giggles. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)