The Enormous Egg

The Enormous Egg is a 1956 middle-grade novel by Oliver Butterworth, with illustrations by Louis Darling. Originally published by Little, Brown & Company, the novel can primarily be classified as fantasy or science fiction. Butterworth, a lifelong educator, wrote several other children’s books—like The Trouble with Jenny’s Ear and The Narrow Passage—that have similarly approached complicated issues through the lens of fantasy. In The Enormous Egg, 12-year-old Nate Twitchell discovers that the family hen has laid an unusual (and massive) egg. When the egg hatches into a dinosaur, Nate joins his family and unlikely companion, Dr. Ziemer, on a wild adventure that brings him as far as Washington, DC. Over the course of his journey, Nate encounters setbacks and surprises, learning Persistence in the Face of Adversity, discovering Science as a Force of Change, and Discovering Value Apart from Consumerism.

This guide refers to the 1993 Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Reissue Edition of the text. 

Plot Summary

The novel opens with its protagonist, Nate Twitchell, a 12-year-old boy who’s enjoying his summer vacation in his hometown of Freedom, New Hampshire. Nate lives with his father (“Pop”), mother (“Mom”), and younger sister, Cynthia. Pop works for the local paper, the Freedom Sentinel, and maintains a small farm for some extra income. 

One day, as he’s tending the chicken coop, Nate notices that one of the hens has laid an abnormally large egg. After he alerts his family, they all stare at the egg with wonder. Together, the Twitchells decide to take care of the egg. Nate, realizing that the egg will need to be evenly warmed, offers to rotate the egg a few times a day. As the summer continues, he spends most of his time completing his chores, fishing at Loon Lake, and tending to the egg on a regular basis.

After Pop publishes a story in the Sentinel, a few reporters from nearby Laconia and Boston arrive to investigate. Though the story is slowly spreading, Nate worries that the egg might not hatch after all. However, despite his discouragement, he resolves to keep waiting. 

One day, fishing alone on Loon Lake, Nate meets Dr. Ziemer, who’s visiting Freedom for the summer. When Nate mentions the egg, Dr. Ziemer signals his interest and asks to take a look. After seeing the egg in person, Dr. Ziemer admits that it’s unusual and encourages Nate to keep waiting. He requests, too, that the Twitchells call him immediately after the egg hatches. 

After another week, the egg hatches, revealing a small, lizard-like creature. The Twitchells, shocked, call Dr. Ziemer, who hurries over right away. As he observes the creature, Dr. Ziemer decides that the egg has hatched a dinosaur—specifically, a Triceratops. At breakfast, Dr. Ziemer introduces himself as a paleontologist but admits that he can’t wholly explain the dinosaur’s hatching. Realizing that the scientific community needs to be notified, Dr. Ziemer asks Cynthia to telegram Dr. Kennedy, a colleague from Washington, DC. Meanwhile, Nate helps Dr. Ziemer care for the dinosaur. Together, they gather leaves and grass for food, while Dr. Ziemer carefully notates the dinosaur’s changing height and weight.

Eventually, after some convincing, Dr. Kennedy agrees to fly to Freedom. As they await his arrival, Nate asks Mom and Pop about an appropriate name for the dinosaur. After some debate, they settle on Uncle Beazley, after Mom’s great uncle.

Soon, Dr. Kennedy arrives, though he suspects a prank on Dr. Ziemer’s part. When Dr. Ziemer and Nate guide him to Uncle Beazley’s pen, they’re shocked to realize that Uncle Beazley is missing. With the whole family’s help, they soon find him in a neighbor’s yard, chomping on flowers.

Once he’s accepted that the dinosaur is real, Dr. Kennedy suggests that they move him to a museum and alert the media. Though the Twitchells agree to broadcast the news, Nate insists that Uncle Beazley remain in Freedom. Soon, crowds of onlookers, scientists, and reporters descend on Freedom, wanting to glimpse the dinosaur. A few businessmen arrive too, hoping to purchase Uncle Beazley and use him for commercial gain. Nate, however, refuses.

As Uncle Beazley continues to grow, Nate struggles to source food and maintain an adequate habitat. Realizing, too, that the cold weather might endanger Uncle Beazley’s health, Nate and Dr. Ziemer reluctantly decide to move him to a museum in Washington, DC. Though Nate is initially disappointed, Mom and Pop ultimately allow him to accompany Uncle Beazley to Washington. Once in Washington, DC, Nate helps situate Uncle Beazley in the museum. Each morning, he takes Uncle Beazley out for a stroll, and together, they explore Washington’s landmarks. 

However, one morning, as Nate and Uncle Beazley cross the street, a driver nearly hurtles through the intersection, before braking suddenly. As Nate and Uncle Beazley scramble, the driver lays on his horn, upsetting Uncle Beazley. Before Nate can stop him, Uncle Beazley tips over the car. The driver, scared but unharmed, runs away. 

Soon, a policeman arrives at the museum, inquiring about the incident, and Dr. Ziemer is forced to mention Uncle Beazley. After the policeman cites an obscure law, Dr. Ziemer realizes that he and Nate will have to relocate Uncle Beazley to the National Zoo. Though Uncle Beazley’s food intake poses a financial concern, the zoo’s director, Holmquist, is more than happy to receive him. 

Not long after Uncle Beazley’s relocation, a Congressional committee arrives at the zoo. Its leader, Senator Granderson, eventually decides that Uncle Beazley is representative of foreign interests and a burden to the American taxpayer. Vowing to exterminate Uncle Beazley, he introduces a controversial bill on the Senate floor, called the “Dinosaur Bill.”

Though Nate and Dr. Ziemer are discouraged, they realize they still have a viable option left: popular support. One night, Nate appears on Capital Sidelight and urges the American people to protect Uncle Beazley. Responding to Nate’s plea, concerned citizens quickly contact their senators to protest the Dinosaur Bill’s passing. When a group of likeminded protestors arrives at the zoo, Holmquist puts out a donation bucket, so that people can contribute to Uncle Beazley’s food costs. 

With Uncle Beazley safe, Nate travels back to Freedom. He’s greeted by a ticker-tape parade, declaring him a local hero. As he reflects on his adventure, Nate looks forward to visiting both Uncle Beazley and Dr. Ziemer again soon.