Is This . . . Easter? (Helen Yoon's Is This . . .?) by Helen Yoon
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536226289
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

In the second Is This . . . .  book from Yoon, the author/illustrator  finds the wonder, exuberance and tension around the mysterious appearance of a pastel egg. Unbeknownst to the two canine trios– one group small and roly-poly with adorable underbites, the other larger dogs with German Shepherd suggestions – the pastel egg has been placed in the grass by an unlikely Easter Bunny, a Zen like brown bear in bunny-ears headband and fluffy white tail. 

The smaller dogs see the pale pink egg as something to decorate, while the larger dogs see breakfast. Neither can understand the other group’s point of view. The dialog on the page accompanied by Yoon’s illustrations are brilliant shortcuts to her characters’ attributes: “IT’S BEAUTIFUL!” “BREAKFAST IS BEAUTIFUL!” Her distinctive pop-eyed protagonists passionately debate the best use of the egg. The ginormous bear returns,silencing all with its size and egg-handling finesse,  to demonstrate it’s okay to have different ideas, and that sometimes different ideas can co-exist.

Between the always timely message of compromise and the priceless illustrations, this picture book about Easter (without a genuine Easter bunny in sight) will be a strong addition to both public and school library collections.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco