Betsy is temporarily sent to live with her Nana and Grandy until new brother or sister is born. She's sad because she misses home so much, but her grandparents let her pick an egg and to pass time she looks out for the "honker" egg. Caring for the eggs allows her to feel a bit better being away from home. When fall approaches, the honkers fly home and Betsy returns home as well. Children will learn about independence and dependence in this story. Dependence, because Betsy is a child and she has to depend on adults around her and independence because she travels to and from her home alone and the geese leaving the nest and flying south. ( )

The softness of the paintings in the book really add an affect to the story.

Beautiful, poignant story about leaving and returning home, being nurtured and turning into the nurturer. The book is about cycles of life and a little girl whose love lets her let go. Wonderful lyrical language. ( )