On the Farm [Hardcover]

David Elliott (Author), Holly Meade (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A New York Ttimes best-selling author and a Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator evoke life on a farm in a simple, lyrical text and boldly expressive images.

From the bull to the barn cat to the wild bunny, the farmyard bustles with life. The rooster crows, the rams clash, the bees buzz, and over there in the garden, a snake — silent and alone — winds and watches. David Elliott’s graceful, simple verse and Holly Meade’s exquisite woodcut and watercolor illustrations capture a world that is at once timeless yet disappearing from view — the world of the family farm.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Joining an upswell of cozy picture books that evoke an earlier era, such as The Apple Pie That Papa Baked (2007) and The House in the Night (2008), this handsome poetry collection feels as hearty and comforting as a bowl of sugared porridge. Against an idyllic backdrop—white farmhouse, red barn—children meet a parade of familiar animals in 13 pithy, often slyly comic poems. Moving in a different direction from his quirky middle-grade fiction (the Evangeline Mudd series and others), Elliott delivers rapid-fire, down-to-earth distillations of animal behavior or characteristics, such as bees’ busywork (“It begins in clover, / It ends with gold”) and a bull’s stolid nature (“The Bull / Knows what he likes— / cows and corn. / Knows what he is— / muscle and horn”). In an impressive first foray into woodblock printing, with results that call forth the work of noted printmaker John Lawrence (This Little Chick, 2006), Caldecott Honor illustrator Meade respects the spare power of Elliott’s contributions with judiciously textured images that never anthropomorphize and yet, like the poems, imply glimmers of innate character. From toddlers to the youngest poets, children will delight in the fun and beauty on display here, while adults will soak in the nostalgia embodied in the tranquil, pastoral scenes. Preschool-Grade 2. --Jennifer Mattson

About the Author

David Elliott is the author of several books for young readers, including the NEW YORK TIMES best-selling picture book AND HERE'S TO YOU! He lives in Warner, New Hampshire.

Holly Meade has illustrated many picture books, including the Caldecott Honor-winning HUSH! A THAI LULLABY and its follow-up, PEEK! A THAI HIDE-AND-SEEK, both by Minfong Ho. This is the first time she has used woodcuts for a picture book. She lives in Sedgwick, Maine.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (March 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763633224
• ISBN-13: 978-0763633226
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 0.4 x 11.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #755,413 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Elliott is a NY Times bestselling children's author. His many titles include: And Here's to You!, The Transmogrification of Roscoe Wizzle, The Evangeline Mudd books, Finn Throws a Fit!, Jeremy Cabbage and the Living Museum, and most recently the picture book, In the Wild. Born in Ohio, David has worked as a singer, a cucumber washer, and a popsicle stick maker. Currently, he lives in New Hampshire with his wife and a three-footed dog. If you'd like to know more about David and his books, visit his blog/website at davidelliottbooks.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS ONE'S A KEEPER !, March 30, 2008

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On the Farm (Hardcover)

Artist Holly Meade well remembers her childhood visits to her grandparents dairy farm. She writes that it was one of the highlights of her young life, "I would wake early in my feather bed to the lowing of cows.....I wish that every child could experience having the natural world as excitingly near as it is on the farm."

Today not many children have that experience yet David Elliott and Ms. Meade have created a happy reminder of what life was like on a family farm. For the first time, Ms. Meade uses woodcuts for a picture book and they are stunning - full page illustrations enhanced with watercolors bring all of the animals to eye-popping life from the crowing strutting rooster to the sly barn cat to the silent rabbit.

Mr. Elliott's easy, descriptive verse will be a pleasure for young eyes and ears. Of the snake he writes, "Coils in the garden like a spring or the wild and winding melody he hears but cannot sing."

This one's a keeper!

- Gail Cooke

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 16-month old adores this book, March 28, 2008

By 

E. Ashton (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On the Farm (Hardcover)

The illustrations are beautiful. The woodcuts are colourful without being overly complex. The text is short and descriptive for each animal. My little girl adores this book with special affection lavished on the cow, dog and pig. :) I would love to see more books from this author and illustrator duo as this is one of the best picture books I've seen though my taste tends towards the more old-fashioned books with less flash such as
Virginia Lee Burton's and Dr. Seuss.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, September 22, 2008

By 

bigskydreams (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Farm (Hardcover)

We picked this up at the book store this afternoon and have read it several times already tonight. My 3 year old and 21 month old love it. The illustrations are beautiful, the writing poetic and interesting. My daughter is already remembering some of the lines and asking to read it again and again. It has charm and I enjoy reading it to them, which is always a positive sign. I will buy this as a gift.