A Visit to the Farm

Martin and Julie are sent by their mother to a nearby farm to get milk, cheese and eggs. The children are thrilled to be on an independent outing and the farm is one of their favorite places. When they separate to enjoy their freedom and to visit their favorite animals, Martin heads for the pigs and chickens while Julie prefers the goats and Flora the cow. Soon it is time to go; the farmer's wife gives them a basket of eggs and cheese along with a pail of milk, and a juicy apple to eat on the way home. This quiet, gentle story provides a wonderful introduction to the world of farm animals and rural living; Hol convincingly transmits the headiness of a day in the country. Featured are unusual collage illustrations created exclusively from torn pieces of magazine paper. The earthy tones and varied shapes achieved by this method are truly remarkable and result in a refreshingly different illustrative look. Ages 5-8. (Apr.)