Look What I Found on the Farm by Moira Butterfield, illustrated by Jesus Verona. Candlewick, 2024. 9781536234275
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3
Format: Hardcover picture book
What did you like about the book: Three young kids take a trip around a country farm and learn all about farm life. First person narration makes the text feel immediate and personal. The text invites readers to look closely at the illustrations via the primary text, as well as the occasional “Can you also find” prompts in the corner of the page. Side panels introduce information about topics like animal babies, different types of wild grasses, types of insects, and wild animal homes. The farm is presented as an idyllic, lush environment with farm animals and crops that produce “treasure.”
This colorful and fun book is both informational and cute. It is not a recommended first purchase, but would be an enjoyable read for families.
Anything you didn’t like about it? I was a little confused when the content switched from talking about farm animals to discussing fields outside the farm and wild animals. I understand that farms often include great habitats for non-farm animals, but there was no transition from one section to the other. Another quibble is that the sidebar on wild grasses described the grasses, but didn’t give any of their actual plant names. It seemed inconsistent with the rest of the content.
To whom would you recommend this book? Recommended for casual reading by young children.
Who should buy this book? Some public libraries and elementary schools; not a recommended first purchase.
Where would you shelve it ? Picture books
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Laura Gardner, Dartmouth Middle School, Dartmouth, MA
Date of review: May 17, 2024
Youth Services Book Review 
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