The Rickety Barn Show

In the tradition of old Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland films, wide-eyed calico cat Jasper suddenly declares. "I'll put on a show." He paints a sign announcing his solo act, "The Rickety Barn Show", for his intended audience of long-legged sheep, various fowl, a floppy-eared pig, a relaxing dog, and the other barnyard animals pictured on the opening, panoramic, two-page spread. Jasper discovers, with some disappointment, that each member of his intended audience wants to join him in the "Rickety Barn Show. Sniggle offers to put together a "one pig band," and when Suzie sees him, she offers to dance along with a chorus of other chickens! The news spreads fast (the animals sees others practicing their acts), and in the best storytelling tradition, the energy flows into an increasing stream of outrageous fun. Unknown to Jasper (except for the pig), the other animals enthusiastically decide to join the `Show,'' often in very unexpected (and very humorous) ways. The horse, to "bring an air of dignity to the proceedings....will be reciting a short poem that I will make up specially." Flora the sheep starts practicing "acrobatics," and builds a sheep pyramid, cow Chloe's juggling act practice turns into a riot of plates and cups flung wildly over the grazing field. Fortunately, Jasper welcomes all the new acts. However, when show time arrives, the animals wait and wait and wait; no one shows up. Can your young one figure out why? Sniggle does: "'There's nobody to watch the show,' he laughed, `because... [turn the page] ...we're all in it!'" "'The show must go on", concludes Jasper, and so it does, in one final spread, a riot of color and action, as the animals perform their acts at the same time. They're simultaneously actor and audience. In a way, that's how the book feels too, because the informal, slightly nonsensical plot and the vivid, zany pictures seem so tuned into the mind of a toddler or K-2nd grader. I loved the sheer sense of fun in Beeke and Chapman's book, the sense of spontaneity, and the surprising, varied talents of the animals! It celebrates individuality, while showing also the rewards of collaboration--even when one's plans don't go quite as intended.

The book is really cute. It involves a cat who wants to put on a show for his farm animal friends, however everyone he tells that he is going to put on a show wants to be in the show. When it is time for the show they find out that there is nobody in the audience because they all worked together to be in the show. Nice book to show cooperation.