FARMER HAM

With the noisy crows growing in number and audacity, what can a farmer do? With so much corn to eat, it’s no wonder that the crow population keeps getting larger on the farm of Farmer Ham (who, though wearing big overalls and a striped shirt, has the hooves and face of a pig). The crows sing and dance and make fun of him. One day, Ham walks silently past them to the pond, and begins to fish. They watch in wonder as he catches a boot, a hat, a scarf, pants, etc. This fishing adventure sends them into gales of laughter, so much so that they fail to notice his disappearance. They do, however, notice the new tall and scary man standing, arms extended, in the cornfield. Nearby stands “clever old Farmer Ham!” And the frightened crows fly speedily away. Spoor’s paintings find great variety and humor in his bird villains, and young listeners should take great pleasure in anticipating the ending. (Picture book. 3-6)