The Fearless Little Farm Boy by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Marit Tornqvist, translated by Polly Lawson. c1991 & 2019 (Sweden), Floris, c2011, 2022. 9781782507642
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5
Format: Hardcover picture book
What did you like about the book? Goran, a huge bull, is generally very calm and placid but one Easter morning he becomes very angry, charging out of the barn and into the yard. The father tries to calm him down with no success. The entire family is joined with neighbors from near and far who have come to view the spectacle of the unhappy bull. Karl, a ragged little farm boy, climbs the fence, talking softly to Goran, promising him a scratch between the ears. Goran finally succumbs to the kindness, soft voice and scratches allowing himself to be led back into the barn. The earthy watercolor illustrations are just beautiful but my favorite part is all the cats that appear in odd places on every page, often doing silly things like attacking shoes or riding on shoulders.
Anything you did not like about the book? Not a thing.
To whom would you recommend this book? If you are having a farm-themed storytime, this one would fit in nicely. Perhaps you could pair it with the classic, The Story of Ferdinand by Leaf Munro.
Who should buy this book? Public libraries and child-care centers
Where would you shelve it? Picture books
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Contributor, Youth Services Book Review
Date of Review: November 6, 2022
Youth Services Book Review 
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