The Amelia Bedelia of hens returns for a sixth adventure. She just loves the bright colors of spring. She tries to look as pretty as the farmers (girls in their Easter dresses) by trying on a hat (Easter basket) and finds an abandoned egg (of the painted variety). She tries to warm it but sees other eggs around the farmyard. Minerva recruits the other chickens to help her; but when they return, the eggs are gone. The little brown bunny (chocolate) doesn’t know where they are, nor do the tiny chicks (Peeps). The mystery is solved when they see all the pretty farmers picking up the eggs, since that is something the chickens are used to seeing. All the other girls return to the barn, but Minerva finds the perfect nest (a basket full of painted eggs). Stoeke’s charmingly naïve chicken’s Easter story is, perhaps, her best yet. This will be a staple of spring storytimes for years to come. Where she has her fans, multiple copies will be a must. (Picture book. 2-6)
