First, we’re having a GREAT time with the One School-One Book program…. Getting “thank you” notes from parents already about how it’s “forcing” some family reading time that they seemed to have lost over the years.
— Paul Marinko - Principal at St. Paul's Lutheran School - Fort Wayne, IN
Since last spring, our entire school has excitedly embraced the One School, One Book Program. We will soon begin our spring selection: A Cricket in Times Square -- the third book we've adopted since the spring of 2010!

We are so thrilled with the positive impact this program has had on our students, families, and staff
— Laurie LaRue - First Grade Teacher at Edgewood School - Bristol, CT
I think the OSOB program is brilliant. My seven year-old attends Orleans Elementary in Massachusetts and they (we) are reading Masterpiece. Since the grades levels range from one to five at this school, finding a book to suit all is difficult. My daughter can follow the big picture somewhat but we have to reinforce what we’ve read because it’s a lot to take in for her.
— Glenn Krzeminski - Parent of student at Orleans Elementary - Orleans, MA
The One District, One Book program promoted by Read To Them...is a powerful way to systemically address and promote a culture of literacy throughout the entire school system.

My school actually adopted a hamster and even used it as “pet therapy” for many of the behaviorally challenged children in our school.
— Kenny Moles of West Virginia

The Enormous Egg

by Oliver Butterworth (1993)

Such a simple fantasy – you’d almost call it timeless. But Oliver Butterworth doesn’t play it for fantasy. He has something else in mind – and its effective enough that this little chestnut just celebrated its 50th birthday – and is now charming and invigorating families and schools districts in the 21st century.

Young Nate Twitchell lives on a farm in New Hampshire. His days are filled with chores and his ambitions center on his responsibilities. Until the day one of his hens lays an unusual egg – a pre-historic egg – a Paleolithic egg… And that’s when Nate’s odyssey begins.

Butterworth doesn’t play it for laughs. He brings in some science on dinosaurs and diets and pre-historic times – but it’s never heavy or tendentious. There’s even a professor or two, but what they have to say is always filtered through Nate’s perspective and understanding – so it’s simple enough that even 1st graders can understand it.

Which means that readers of all ages will identify with Nate as he ventures to Washington D.C. – and be equally charmed and amused and thrilled by the prospect of walking your dinosaur on the National Mall!

When things turn serious – Butterworth puts the ethical burden – the decision on what to do that’s right and wrong – and how to push for it – on Nate’s shoulders. The simplicity and bluntness – the accessibility – of Nate’s speech – may turn out to be a template for student election speeches for a quick generation of elementary school students in your district.

Which makes The Enormous Egg an easy book for your district – students and parents alike – to investigate. It will lead all to a sure and simple understanding of students’ priorities.

There are five supplementary resources for Oliver Butterworth’s The Enormous Egg:

a sample letter home to parents
a sample reading schedule
a Trivia Bank
a list of suggested activities
suggested assembly ideas

As a participating member of One School, One Book you may have access to all of these documents. Here are some samples: