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THE FARMER'S AWAY! BAA! NEIGH! by Anne Vittur Kennedy Kirkus Star

THE FARMER'S AWAY! BAA! NEIGH!

by Anne Vittur Kennedy ; illustrated by Anne Vittur Kennedy

Pub Date: June 1st, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6679-8
Publisher: Candlewick

Time to play!

Mischievous farm animals have a day full of adventure when their farmer sets out on his tractor early one morning. Colorful acrylic spreads burst with action, while the cheerful, catchy text consists entirely of rhymed, onomatopoeic animal sounds (“neigh neigh baa baa / moo moo tweet / honk honk oink oink / arf cheep eek”) as the frolicsome cows, horses, birds, pigs, dogs and mice, as well as other animals, sing together to form a nonsensical chorus that toddlers will happily join. The endpapers show each animal with its sound, so children can refer back as they learn to match the sounds to the farm’s various inhabitants. There’s not much these creatures can’t do, from climbing the roof and paddling down the river to hosting a proper picnic, riding a speedy roller coaster, waterskiing across the bay, flying in a plane and even dancing in the moonlight. But what will happen when the farmer returns? “Shh shh shhhhhhhh…,” Where’s that mouse? “Eek!”

Babies, toddlers and very young emergent readers will delight in the strong, playful rhythm and energetic and detailed illustrations in this introduction to the noisy world of animal sounds.

(Picture book. 1-4)