Review: Prairie Days by Patricia MacLachlan

PRAIRIE DAYS

by Patricia MacLachlan

Illustrated by Micha Archer

Margaret K McElderry Books

Picture Books

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...
MAY 26th!!!

A delicate, stunning account of life on the prairie from Newbery medalist Patricia MacLachlan.

Cool summer mornings begin with the rose orange sun and the smell of earth, and fade into hot summer nights with a yellow moon, covered in a quilt of stars. There are wagon rides, farm dogs, trips into town, and games of kick the can. These are prairie days.

Patricia MacLachlan applies her lyrical, sparse voice and vibrant, tender art from Micha Archer to transport readers to the prairie of her youth in this stunning celebration of the beauty in the world. 

       

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MY TIDBITS

The comforting past of growing up on a farm delivers a sense of warmth, comfort and relaxation.

This book is told from a narrator's perspective, one who grew up on a farm and reflects on how life was as a child during that time. While starting at the farmhouse and flower-filled setting, the tale glides through what a day might have looked like for a child in the summer months (away from school) and offers a glimpse at those experiences in an inviting way.

The writing is almost poetic as the book follows the summer life of a farm child. The atmosphere is calm and displays the simple life, which is mostly brought outdoors until the end of the day. It is a lovely way to introduce listeners to growing up on a farm and give a peek at what life was like without falling into a heavier history lesson. This book will especially have an impact if read by an adult who had these are similar experiences themselves, since it will create a special bond and also allows the chance to open discussions on how things were.

The illustrations are my favorite part of this book. The mood comes across wonderfully, while allowing important details not to be forgotten. It is artistic and yet, portrays reality nicely, so listeners have the chance to visualize the life being portrayed. I was a bit disappointed that some terms mentioned in the text weren't identified with some sort of tags in the illustrations, since several items will not be familiar to listeners or necessarily, the readers (flower types, birds, etc).

For anyone wanting to expose the younger generation to the experiences of growing up on a farm in years past, this is a lovely book to grab up. It is nicely written, a joy to flip through, and simply a comforting read.


And here they are...

The Author...
Patricia MacLachlan is the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal; its sequels, Skylark and Caleb’s Story; Edward’s Eyes; The True Gift; Waiting for the Magic; White Fur Flying; and Fly Away. She lives in western Massachusetts.

The Illustrator...

Micha Archer illustrated The Wise Fool, Lola’s Fandango, and Prairie Days, and wrote and illustrated Daniel Finds a Poem. Working in collage and oil, her use of color and pattern is influenced by the folk art, crafts, and architecture of the countries she has visited and lived in. She realized the importance of the book as a teaching tool after teaching kindergarten and raising two children. Micha divides her time between Costa Rica and western Massachusetts, where she lives in the house she and her husband built, surrounded by gardens and forest to roam in.

Review: Barkus Dog Dreams by Patricia MacLachlan

BARKUS DOG DREAMS

BOOK 2

by Patricia MacLachlan

Illustrated by Marc Boutavant

Chronicle Books

Chapter Book

52 pages

ages 6 to 9

Barkus is back! With new tricks. New friends. And lots more fun.

Praise for Barkus:

"Fans will be begging for more."-The Horn Book Magazine
"The charm is infectious."--The New York Times
"Will appeal to fans of the Henry and Mudge series as well as to the younger picture-book audience."-Kirkus Reviews

The lovable Barkus and his lucky young owner romp through the pages of this delightful series from Newbery Medal–winning author Patricia MacLachlan. The simple text told in short chapters is just right for children ready to take their first steps toward reading on their own.

       

MY TIDBITS

(Note: I did not get the chance to read the first book in this series, but that wasn't a problem. Each book can be read as a stand-alone.)

Barkus might appear to be an ordinary dog, but he packs more than a few surprises and brings delight where ever his paws pass by.

Five chapters appear in this book, and each one brings along a new, surprising adventure for Barkus and his best friend, a cat named Baby. Told from the owner's point of view—a young girl—it's impossible to predict what Barkus will be up to next. But one thing is guaranteed, the end result is not what the reader might expect it to be.

Barkus comes across as an ordinary, loving dog. Even his very close friendship with a cat, which might raise an eyebrow or two, isn't completely out of the ordinary. After all, cats and dogs can get along in real life. The adventures also start out as usual events, ones which could happen to anyone—Barkus visits the vet, the neighbor gets a dog, and there's a festival at the park. Even when the adventure gets underway, it's nothing really far-fetched. Fun and entertaining, but seemingly based solidly in reality. Then, the surprise twists hit, subtle and yet making it clear that Barkus is anything but a normal dog.

The text fits nicely to those readers, who are learning how to reader slightly larger stories on their own. While most of the words are very easy to identify, a few more difficult ones are sprinkled in to help expand the vocabulary but not enough to frustrate the reader. The illustrations support the story and the plot, while adding personality to Barkus and his friends along with a charming dash of humor. It makes for a gentle and fun read, while allowing those reader skills to grow and improve.


And here they are...

The Author...
Patricia MacLachlan is a versatile and prolific author whose titles range from picture books to novels, including the Newbery Medal- winning Sarah, Plain and Tall. Barkus was inspired by the imagined adventures of her neighbor's dog.

The Illustrator...

Marc Boutavant is an internationally acclaimed illustrator. His work has been featured in The New York Times and The New Yorker as well as numerous children's books. He lives in Paris, France.

Happy Book Birthday, My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan!

MY FRIEND EARTH

by Patricia MacLachlan

Illustrated by Francesca Sanna

Chronicle Books

Picture Book

44 pages

ages 3 to 5

Celebrate Earth Day with this valentine to our wonderful planet from the Newbery Award–winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall.

Our friend Earth does so many wonderful things! She tends to animals large and small. She pours down summer rain and autumn leaves. She sprinkles whisper-white snow and protects the tiny seeds waiting for spring.

Readers of all ages will pore over the pages of this spectacular book. Its enticing die-cut pages encourage exploration as its poetic text celebrates everything Earth does for us, all the while reminding us to be a good friend in return.

• Interactive format and kid-friendly art will engage both toddlers and young readers.
• A celebration of the natural world and rallying cry for positive action for Planet Earth
• Great opportunities to share life science concepts and amazing facts about the environment with children

This beautiful and innovative ode to our natural world will appeal to readers of Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, The Poet's Dog, and Thank You, Earth.

       

MY TIDBITS

There's one word for this book—beautiful.

Every page is a celebration of Earth and nature. From falling rain to fierce winds to hibernating bears, seas and rivers, so many wonderful things happen on our planet. A young girl explores each aspect as she discovers how diverse and marvelous nature is. The entire thing ends with a wonderful sense of peace.

The illustrations really make this book shine. Each page radiates life, calmness, vitality and warmth. Each scene is clear in its representation and still incorporates an artistic beauty. It's fun to flip through the pages and simply watch each moment unfold. Each page also includes a flip-door or peek-hole, which definitely adds to the fun. However, it does make for more difficult page-turning, especially when using this as a read-aloud. It still is a nice addition.

The text is written in an almost poetic way. The words play within the illustration and accompany each scene to give it the right atmosphere. It does make a lovely read-aloud. The wording is packed with descriptions but stays at a level for the intended audience. Slightly older ones are sure to enjoy this book too.


And here they are...

The Author...
Patricia MacLachlan is an acclaimed author who has written dozens of books—from picture books to novels—including the Newbery Medal winner Sarah, Plain and Tall and the Barkus series, also published by Chronicle Books. She lives in western Massachusetts.

The Illustrator...

Francesca Sanna grew up on the Italian island of Sardinia. She studied illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York and the Academy of Art and Design in Lucerne. Her book The Journey received five starred reviews and was lauded by the New York Times and the Guardian. Francesca currently lives in Zurich, but you can visit her at francescasanna.com.