Farm by Elisha Cooper
An inviting mix of vistas across flat farmland and isolated bits of the farm on white backgrounds, Cooper has created a book that really captures the seasons on a farm. From the family, animals, buildings and equipment to the everyday world of chores and work, this book is honest and accurate about farm life. Children will delight in the small moments of the farm, especially those involving the tractors and the animals. The book is laid out as a cycle, moving from spring through fall, encapsulating the growing season. This is a great introduction to farm life for children, both rural and urban.
Cooper’s text gives small details constantly, seeding the book with facts large and small about farming in general and about this family farm in particular. Simply telling the names of the different cats is time well spent and interesting. Cooper’s art is done with simple lines and earthy colors. His mix of landscape vistas with small images is dynamic and keeps the book fresh and interesting. Because of the small size of many of the illustrations, this book will be best used by one child at a time who will take the time to wonder along with Cooper about what animals are thinking and whether they are deep in thought when not eating.
This is a book to linger with, turn the pages back and forth, breathe in the country air, and also take your time thinking deep thoughts. Appropriate for ages 4-7.
Reviewed from copy received from Scholastic.
Also reviewed by Young Readers, Back to Books, and A Year of Reading.
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