A little boy watches Shelly Hen as she feeds on bugs in the grass, chats to her friends and settles down in the nesting box to lay an egg. This book is intended to show very young children where eggs come from and how chickens live. It introduces the topic of sustainability and respect for animals. Added at the back are a fun quiz, information section, as well as a simple recipe using eggs. Part of a series about where our food comes from, the other titles are about fruit, milk and honey.

Prizes

Short-listed for Teach Early Years Award 2022

‘This brilliantly illustrated series is informative and fascinating for younger readers who are curious about where our food comes from and how these animals are cared for on farms and in nature.' Just Imagine;‘Food is a popular theme in foundation stage settings so this would be a useful book to add to school and nursery collections.' Red Reading Hub;'A really lovely series, stylish and great to share and a perfect introduction to farms, where our food comes from, and non-fiction texts for young children EYFS and KS1.’ Reading Zone reviewer - 4 stars; ‘When a little boy watches a hen all day, he finds out lots about how they live and how we use their eggs. Exploring where food comes from and how it reaches the table, Shelly Hen is a useful text to help EYFS and KS1 children understand how eggs are important in a balanced diet, and how important it is that the hens which lay them are treated well.’ School Reading List; ‘Set young feathers fluttering with the latest enlightening and entertaining picture book in a series which helps children to understand where their food comes from… and just how precious it is. The perfect book to help explain the concept of sustainability to your budding eco-warriors.’ Lancashire Evening Post;‘Picture books can be a wonderful way of introducing young children to narrative non-fiction and Shelly Hen Lays Eggs written by Deborah Chancellor and illustrated by Julia Groves is an excellent example… An excellent book for Early Years settings.’ A Library Lady;'At the back there is a great section where you can match the words to the pictures! This is great for consolidating learning! There is also a brilliant section about hens, eggs and chickens! The illustrations by Julia Groves are fabulous! Bright and beautiful with bold tones throughout! This was a very enjoyable read and perfect if you’re taking a trip to a farm!' Inclusive Children’s Books

Deborah Chancellor has written over a hundred books for children, from toddlers to teenagers. She lives with her family in Saffron Walden, Essex. Julia Groves has designed and illustrated a range of baby books and picture books for Childsplay. She lives with her family in Norfolk.