Market Day by Carol Foskett Cordsen, illustrated by Douglas B. Jones

A merry day at the market is made all the more interesting by a hungry cow.  The Bensons get a late start on market day and have to rush.  They pick the apples they are going to sell and then rush out of the farm gate, not closing it behind them.  In their hurry, they have also forgotten to feed the cow, who sees the open gate and follows along behind.  When they all reach the market, the cow causes all sorts of trouble before finding her family and finally getting fed.  Apples, of course.

A wonderful, warm autumnal title, readers will enjoy the traditional feel of the illustrations paired with the rhymed couplets in the text.  The rhymes are not forced at all, but instead seem effortless.  With the speed of the story and the rush, the use of rhyme works well. 

A wonderful book to share when doing either cow or apple stories.  It is the perfect read on a fall day or when a class is heading to an orchard for a field trip.  Recommended for children ages 3-5.