Barkus, Sly and the Golden Egg

Narrated by Debra Leigh, this iconographic-animated adaptation of the 2002 watercolor picture book by author Angela McAllister and illustrator Sally Anne Lambert was first published in the UK as The Baddies' Goodies. Titular fox cousins Barkus and Sly steal three hens and keep them in their shed for an upcoming meal. Naturally, the poultry trio—Biddy, Bluffy, and Tweed—would prefer not to be eaten, so they hatch a plot to create a “golden” egg in order to trick the foxes into believing the birds would be more valuable alive. Sly and Barkus each hope to capitalize on the new development, so they don't tell each other about the cash cow (or chicken), giving the hens time to use the pair's greediness as a means to help them parlay their way home. A simple tale of cleverness prevailing over avarice, this program is recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)