Farmer Palmer's Wagon Ride [Paperback]

William Steig (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1992 | Age Level: 5 and up

The wagon ride from town is so hazardous that Farmer Palmer, a pig, and Ebenezer, an ass, barely make it home again.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A porcine farmer and his hired hand (a jackass) experience a series of farcical, typically Steigian misadventures. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"In his offhand, poker-faced manner, Steig narrates the comically hapless journey of porcine Farmer Palmer and his asinine hired hand Ebenezer as they return from town, their wagon loaded with gifts for the Palmer family." --Starred, Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (April 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374422680
• ISBN-13: 978-0374422684
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,403,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Steig (1907-2003) published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968, and received the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (978-1416902065) in 1970. His works also include The Amazing Bone, a Caldecott Honor Book, and Abel's Island and Doctor De Soto, both Newbery Honor Books. His most recent books published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux are Shrek! (released by DreamWorks as a major motion picture) and Wizzil, illustrated by Quentin Blake. School Library Journal named Shrek! a Best Book of 1990 and said of it, "Steig's inimitable wit and artistic dash have never been sharper or more expertly blended."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best William Steig Books, July 8, 2009

By 

goonius (a room in a house on a street in a city just like any other.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Farmer Palmer's Wagon Ride (Paperback)

Of all the William Steig books we own (that would be A LOT), I think this one has to be my favorite.

Farmer Palmer, and his hired hand Ebenezer (a donkey who is only referred to by the less politically correct terminology) go to town for goods. Having loaded up the wagon, they begin their tumultuous trip home, encountering one trying event after another - each one more absurd than the last. Fortunately, each of their unusual purchases from town comes in handy - in ways, I might mention - that will have you chuckling, and at times laughing uncontrollably. Or maybe I'm just easily amused.

Do mind that there is profuse use of a certain donkey-related three letter word that you wouldn't want your wee ones to go around repeating at highly inappropriate moments like the lines at the grocery store or your conservative grandma's house. Steig is often rather carefree with the literal translations (and humor within) of inappropriate and offensive words.

However, I think this book is every bit worth it in spite of that - oh heck, because of it really. A fantastically amusing tale.