
Reach for this book when your child develops an all-consuming, quirky obsession that feels a bit over-the-top for their age. It is the perfect story for the kid who loves animals more than anything and needs to see how patience and responsibility can turn a wild idea into a rewarding reality. The story follows young Jack, a bird-lover who rescues an ostrich egg and convinces a hen to hatch it on his family farm. While the premise is humorous, the book deeply explores the themes of stewardship and the courage it takes to be different. It is an excellent choice for children ages 7 to 11 who are starting to take on more independent projects. Dick King-Smith balances gentle farm life with the high-stakes excitement of raising a massive, prehistoric-looking bird, making it a delightful read-aloud or independent chapter book.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewTension surrounding whether the egg will hatch and the logistics of keeping a large wild animal.
The book deals with the ethics of 'stealing' for a good cause in a lighthearted, secular way. There is no major trauma or death, though the reality of farm life and the food chain (the egg being intended for a snake) is mentioned early on. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, focusing on the bond between species.
An elementary-aged student who is a 'collector' of facts or hobbies. Specifically, the child who brings home bugs, wants to start a garden, or spends all their time researching a single niche topic.
This is a safe 'cold read.' Parents might want to discuss the ethics of taking something from a zoo, even if the intent is to save it. A parent might see their child becoming frustrated because a long-term project isn't showing immediate results, or perhaps the child is being teased for having an 'odd' interest.
Younger readers (7-8) will focus on the humor of a giant bird on a farm and the 'secret' of the egg. Older readers (10-11) will appreciate the nuances of Jack's dedication and the logistical reality of the farm setting.
Unlike many talking-animal fantasies, this maintains a grounded, realistic tone typical of King-Smith. It treats the child's passion with great respect rather than as a passing phase.
Jack Daw is a young boy with a singular passion: birds. During a school trip to the zoo, he discovers an ostrich egg that is destined to be fed to a snake. Jack 'rescues' the egg and brings it home to his family farm. He manages to convince a large foster hen to sit on the egg, leading to the birth of Oliver, a fast-growing ostrich. The story follows Jack's dedication to raising Oliver and the subsequent challenges of keeping a giant, flightless bird in a space meant for chickens and cows.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.