Bonny's Big Day

Bonny's Big Day by James Herriot is a take off from one of the marvelous stories that Herriot records in one of his collections of "big people books" and happens to be one of my favorite. This is actually the story of John Skipton and one of his two old work horses and the relationship and love between man and horse. Each, John and the horse Bonny are long retired after a long life of constant toil making a living on an English farm long before they, the farms became mechanized. Briefly, at Herriot's prompting and encouragement, the old farmer enters his beloved horse Bonnie in a local, and for the area, traditional pet show. James Herriot is a master story teller and I must confess, one of my all time favorite authors. I have read all of his books many times over and enjoy each reading more than the previous. I will, about every other year, give each of them a rereading. With this series of children's books, the stories that Herriot wrote are incorporated with the art work of Ruth Brown, an illustrator of no mean talent. She has captured rural England of that era perfectly and her soft flowing colors and style add perfectly to Herriot's words. The nice thing about this book, and the others of the series, is that the young reader is exposed to some very good writing, good art work, history, the idea of compassion, and an era long gone by that we will never see again. I guess I am trying to say that these books are not only readable and enjoyable, but that the kids actually get something out of them and the adult certainly gets their monies worth. This book belongs in any children's library and as a matter of fact, is quite enjoyable for the adult reader also. I do highly recommend it. These books make a great read for a group and I use them all of the time as such. Don Blankenship The Ozarks

James Herriot writes beautiful multi-layered stories which really engage the reader, and in this case the audience. This is one of his children's storys, which despite the shortness, is beautifully written. As you may know, James Herriot was a country vet in the Yorkshire Dales in the North of England in the middle of the 20th century. His storys of eccentric families, and farmers have sold in the millions. His series of children's stories are equally rich and funny. This is the story of Bonny the clydesdale, and her owner. Herriot has been called out to Dale Close farm where the farmer has a problem with one of his horses. They go for a long and arduous walk to visit the horses, which Herriot finds difficult, but the farmer seems completely untired by. The horses are old, but in a beautiful valley, where the farmer has retired them. To Herriot's amazement, the farmer does the walk every day. They have been retired for 12 years, but because they worked so hard to help him establish the farm, he keeps them there ni retirement. Herriot suggests the farmer enters one of the horses in the Darrowby Fair that coming Saturday in the Pets class as they are clearly kept as pets now. The farmer sounds discouraging, but then, the following saturday he turns up at the fair...... This is a wonderful story and I guarantee it will move your heart to read it. The detail is extraodinary and evocative, and I am sometimes moved to tears by it when I read it. The illustrations are pretty good - they could be richer, but overall, I just think this story is 110%. Something to really enjoy.

This is an absolutely delightful story. One of the authors best. This book is truly appropriate for all ages. Really little ones will love the pictures and older children will warm to the story. Any adult will enjoy reading this to the kids over and over.

My daughter brought this book home from her school library - We read it together. Christmas time I always purchase a "favorite" book for her & her brother - this one will fits the bill nicely!!