Omeletta Hen
by Janelle Wilkey
Illustrated by Deborah Hinde
Omeletta is a beautiful hen. There’s no doubting that, what with her bright and full plumage, and brilliant crest. And she does everything a regular hen should, except she will not lay her eggs in the henhouse.
Her little friend, Nelson, finds her eggs everywhere; the garden, the bath, and even in a shoe. Just imagine that!
So finally, Nelson lays down the law. Eggs must be laid in the henhouse. Not on the path, not in his bed, and definitely not on his head. The laying of an egg on Nelson’s head is simply the last straw.
So back off to the henhouse trudges Nelson, with Omeletta firmly grasped in his arms.
“Omeletta, you silly hen, from now on, you will stay in the henhouse!” says Nelson.
He busily restocks the nesting box with fresh straw, saying, “Nest is best.”
But Omeletta is not happy with this new arrangement. She fluffs her feathers, fumes, and plain sulks.
When Nelson checks the nesting box the next morning, not one egg does he find.
The following morning he checks the nesting box too. Not a single egg.
And so it goes. The nesting box remains empty, empty, empty.
It seems that as intent Nelson is on getting Omeletta to lay her eggs in the henhouse, she’s just as intent on not.
This perky chook is full of character and dogged determination. And her expressions are delightful.
The bright and sharp artwork enhances the simple storyline, making this a fun book to read with children or for them to read alone.
This is a book that is beautifully presented. And well deserving of The Joy Cowley Award.
by Janelle Wilkey
Illustrated by Deborah Hinde
Omeletta is a beautiful hen. There’s no doubting that, what with her bright and full plumage, and brilliant crest. And she does everything a regular hen should, except she will not lay her eggs in the henhouse.
Her little friend, Nelson, finds her eggs everywhere; the garden, the bath, and even in a shoe. Just imagine that!
So finally, Nelson lays down the law. Eggs must be laid in the henhouse. Not on the path, not in his bed, and definitely not on his head. The laying of an egg on Nelson’s head is simply the last straw.
So back off to the henhouse trudges Nelson, with Omeletta firmly grasped in his arms.
“Omeletta, you silly hen, from now on, you will stay in the henhouse!” says Nelson.
He busily restocks the nesting box with fresh straw, saying, “Nest is best.”
But Omeletta is not happy with this new arrangement. She fluffs her feathers, fumes, and plain sulks.
When Nelson checks the nesting box the next morning, not one egg does he find.
The following morning he checks the nesting box too. Not a single egg.
And so it goes. The nesting box remains empty, empty, empty.
It seems that as intent Nelson is on getting Omeletta to lay her eggs in the henhouse, she’s just as intent on not.
This perky chook is full of character and dogged determination. And her expressions are delightful.
The bright and sharp artwork enhances the simple storyline, making this a fun book to read with children or for them to read alone.
This is a book that is beautifully presented. And well deserving of The Joy Cowley Award.
Review by Susan Tarr
Title: Omeletta Hen
Author: Janelle Wilkey
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 9781775436393
RRP: $18.99
Available: bookshops
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