Hello, Farm Animals

ISBN 0816703450 - There's not a lot about this book that's incredibly original, which is just about the only thing that keeps it from getting 5 stars. Hello, Farm Animals is a nice addition to an incredibly long line of animal books for young readers. The rooster starts the day on the farm off with a cock-a-doodle-doo. The animals wake up and go outside, where they eat, play, run and even do their jobs - like lay eggs! At the end of the day, the rooster crows again, as all his animal friends come in from the fields for the night. Author Eileen Curran's text is simple, with short sentences and easy words for beginning readers. Other than "animals", all the words are one or two syllables and many of the words are shown in the illustrations by June Goldsborough. This makes learning a little easier and even entertaining. City kids getting their first look at farm animals will enjoy the colorful images of animals large and small going about their business. Goldsborough's work here is a little uneven, particularly in the shape and size of some animals' heads, but the bright colors and the animals themselves more than make up for it. - AnnaLovesBooks