Books of the Day: On the Farm

G is for Goat
by Patricia Polacco
Philomel Books (2003)

Duck on a Bike
by David Shannon
The Blue Sky Press (2002)

Okay folks, this is my LAST paired book review.  I'm exhausted and Valentines Day is over (it was sort-of my Valentines theme).  Phew!  These two winners are both from our most recent trip to the library

G is for Goat grew on me after reading it a few times.  First I thought it was nothing special (which truthfully happens to me a lot with both books and music), but after a few reads, I was charmed.  One reason I like it is because everyone in our family adores goats.   I remember my year traveling in Nepal, how important goats were and how much personality they had.  Mirette, Steve and I recently went to a goat farm in California and  they pulled at our clothes which Mirette thought was so funny.  I think it's clever the way Ms. Polacco ties the entire alphabet to goats.  The drawings of the girls with bright colorful dresses and head coverings are so charming.  They look both hard-working, playful and calm at the same time.   I want to be right there with them.  

Many moons ago, the entire third and forth grade at my school trekked over to the high school to hear Patricia Polacco speak.  I remember her strong anti-bullying message.  She was very honest with her story of being teased and the pain that it brought her.   Her message to the children was very stern and very impassioned, bullying is not okay don't do it.  As the School Counselor I was thrilled!

Patricia's website is chocked full of information and activities.   Some interesting things that stood out to me--Patricia does not answer e-mails, you have to write a snail mail letter to her.  She has a farm in Michigan and holds events at her farm.   (Oh man, I have to go!).   There is a meteor that landed fairly close to her farm.   Abe Lincoln walked through her house.   She has dyslexia and didn't write her first book until the age of 41.  She owns goats.  She comes from a family of storytellers (Ukraine, Russian, Irish, and from the Bayou), and finally she is really beautiful and interesting looking.   http://www.patriciapolacco.com/index.htm

Duck on a Bike was read at library story time and I kept thinking about it afterwards, so I went back to take it out.  It's a funny story with bright colorful pictures, about a duck riding a bike.  All the other animals have a reaction to it--everything from jealousy to what a waste of time to I want a turn.  At the end, all the animals ride bikes and the humans don't even know about the spectacular event.  

David Shannon is the same guy that wrote No David!  He doesn't seem to have a website, but here's a his bio and a video interview:  http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/shannon/.  He gravitates towards michevious characters like David and the crazy duck who insists on riding a bike.   He lives in LA with his wife and young daughter, so I'm sure he will be writing many more books in the years to come.