The Egg Incident

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

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Description

Nominated for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2025

'A modern morality tale for children ages 7-12 and their parents. Now, talking eggs are intrinsically funny, but Ms. Hanaor and Ms. Wynter miss no opportunity to make them even funnier.' - The Wall Street Journal

'This short graphic novel is a fast-paced read, thanks in large part to Daisy Wynter's dynamic illustrations. Motion lines, hand-lettered sounds and dramatic page turns are used to great effect. And kids will get a kick out of Humphrey's expressive reaction shots.' - The New York Times

Remember, Humphrey; never run, never jump, and NEVER. EVER. sit on a wall!

This middle-grade graphic novel tells the story of Humphrey - an egg with very overprotective parents; "Never run, never jump and NEVER EVER EVER sit on a wall. You remember what happened to your uncle..."

Humphrey lives a cautious life, until the day he bumps into Princess Jean (PJ) in the park. An adventurer through and through, PJ regales Humphrey with tales of all her antics and mishaps and they don't notice the park is closing. Oh no! How will Humphrey get home There's only one way out. Over. The. Wall!

The Egg Incident is a joyous reversal of the traditional Humpty Dumpty tale of caution that will delight readers aged 7-12 who are tiptoeing towards independence themselves.

Reviews

"This short graphic novel is a fast-paced read, thanks in large part to Daisy Wynter's dynamic illustrations. Motion lines, hand-lettered sounds and dramatic page turns are used to great effect. And kids will get a kick out of Humphrey's expressive reaction shots. The story comes with a surprising epilogue. If you've ever wondered what really happened to Humpty, well, it'll crack you up." - The New York Times

"The Egg Incident looks like a humorous graphic novel, but really it's a modern morality tale for children ages 7-12 and their parents. Helicopter parents, take note: What's true of an egg in a story may be true of your children, too." - The Wall Street Journal

"A first purchase for all libraries and the best of what graphic novels have to offer. All readers will be able to appreciate the story of Humphrey "coming out of his shell" and teaching his family how to do the same. In an added bonus, readers learn what really happened to Humpty." - School Library Journal Starred Review

"Lays a liberating message on helicopter parents and their overprotected offspring." - Kirkus Reviews

It may be a short graphic novel, but this 72-page book packs a punch. Daisy Wynter's illustrations are the highlight of the book. Throughout the story, she captures the character's personality so well. The Egg Incident is a fun graphic novel that flips the Humpty Dumpty story on its head providing an entertaining story." - YA Books Central

"Cute illustrations throughout show Humphrey's fears as well as his excitement when he is brave enough to try new things." - Youth Services Book Review

Author Bio

Ziggy Hanaor is a writer and publisher living in London. She has authored picturebooks including Fly Flies, Alex and Alex and the Pocket Chaotic, and a graphic novel, Alte Zachen, which was received to critical acclaim.

Daisy Wynter is an illustrator based in Sussex. As a child she was a bookworm and a compulsive doodler, and this hasn't really changed in adulthood. She received an MA in Children's Book Illustration from Goldsmiths in 2020.