For years I’ve been dreaming of the day when we will own a home where I can have a small flock of chickens.  When I say dreaming, I am not joking, I’ve had dreams where upon buying a house, my hubby shows up with a box of chickens just for me.  Although for some having backyard chickens sounds like a messy endeavor, to me, it sounds like something that is going to be rewarding and delicious.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time thinking about all the details and specifics that go into getting chickens.  After all, I can’t just show up at the feed store and leave with a box of chicks.  I am a lady with a plan.  In all my excitement for getting my backyard flock, I have been checking out some really fun books about chickens for the petites so that they can get excited about the idea before the little ladies arrive.

P. Zonka Lays An Egg by Julie Paschkis is such a bright and cheery book, just looking at the cover brings a smile to my face.  Okay I am a little partial because Julie Paschkis is also a Seattleite and it makes me so proud of all of the creative talent that comes from this lovely place we call home.

P. Zonka is a story about a very thoughtful hen, who enjoys all that her surroundings have to offer.  She is a dreamer an admirer.  The other hens in her flock cannot understand why she doesn’t lay eggs like they do and one day when P. Zonka finally does lay an egg, it is extraordinary.  This book is the embodiment of spring and all that it has to offer.  I also think that this would be a lovely book to read in an art class and follow it with decorating eggs.

 

Since I am so obsessed with chickens right now I was thrilled to read an interview that Julie did with Mr. Schu at Mr. Schu Reads where she spoke about P. Zonka and how she is a Frisian Bantam – I may just need to add one of these beauties to my list.  I wanted to know about this awesome chicken and how she inspired such a lovely book; luckily I found a post over at Jama’s Alphabet Soup that discusses my new favorite chicken.

This book is so inspiring to me in so many ways.  What I love about it are the gorgeous illustrations, but more so that this book takes the time to notice the beauty in everyday life.  The little things that matter and are important if we just slow down and take notice.  Another reason this book is inspiring is that it show cases these lovely pysanky eggs.   Here is a wonderful activity book, created by Peachtree, that has all sorts of fun things you can do with your little ones.

I think that this book is perfect for just about any time of the year, but especially right about now with Easter just a few days away.  Decorating eggs is something that so many families do, but adding in a new tradition of having an egg decorating party sounds like it would be an incredibly wonderful way to spend an afternoon with friends and family.

 

Here are some of the different designs and colors you can decorate the pysanky eggs and the meanings behind the colors and symbols.  In the activity book above there are lots of activities that you can do with your petites.

 

I hope you enjoy this book as much as we have.

Erin