The Mare's Egg: A New World Folk Tale in Memory of Ralph Amos Who Told ME the Story - Tapa blanda

The Mare's Egg is a wonderful story about a gullible 19th century settler's search for a work horse -- one that isn't balky, won't nip, kick or run away -- to clear his new homestead.

A mischievous farmer leads him to believe that he can hatch a colt from a pumpkin, and sells him a bright orange "mare's egg." Indeed, he advises the immigrant that he can shorten the hatching period by spending every available moment sitting on the pumpkin, by the fire. The man sits and sits, weeks pass, the leaves fall. As winter approaches, the firewood pile begins to dwindle. The man finally realizes that the egg will not hatch. Disheartened, he disposes of it in a way that gives him fresh hope that horsescan be hatched from "mare's eggs." And, no wiser from his experience, he sets off to buy another.

The text is amusing, instructive, and a pleasure to read aloud. The illustrations are brilliant, setting the humorous mood for children. Margaret Atwood's three-page afterword on the real difficulties faced by the pioneers, adds a fine historical perspective.

Carole Spray, of Fredericton, New Brunswick, is the author of Will O' The Wisp, a collection of Canadian folk tales and legends. A mother of two, and a former elementary school teacher, children's librarian and creative writing instructor, Carole has received an Explorations grant from the Canada Council and has spent many years collecting, transcribing and editing tapes of Eastern Canada's folklore.

Kim La Fave is one of Canada's outstanding young illustrators, with several national awards to his credit. A native of Vancouver transplanted to Toronto, and a graduate of The Alberta College of Art, Kim was at the kitchen table drawing on writing pads and brown paper bags as far back as his first memories. Clearly recalling favorite childhood books, he has long been drawn to the field of children's book illustration.