'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Thursday 5 April 2012

Review: Show Day

It's Show Day! The whole family is excited that the big day is finally here after weeks of preparation. The kids have pets to enter in the pet show, Princess Marigold the cow is to be entered in the Best Heifer competition, Dad has made marmelade and Mum has baked.

With wood chopping, giant pumpkins, grumpy roosters and a cow who refuses to put her best foot forward, Show Day captures all the excitement and variety of a country show. For young readers who might be more familiar with the larger city events, Show Day highlights the sense of community and participation that plays such a large part of a typical rural show.

Written and illustrated by the team behind the very popular A Year on Our Farm, this book really captures a sense of the importance of a country show, where the rides and sideshow alley are on an equal footing with the animal and produce competitions and where the whole family can get involved, right down to Bart the guinea pig.

There are teaching notes available for this book and it would be an ideal resource for preschool and early school grade teachers, with the focus on animals, baked goods, pets and produce and an element of humour to keep the story entertaining and fun.

Title: Show Day
Author: Penny Matthews
Illustrator: Andrew McLean
Publisher: Omnibus Books, $26.99 RRP
Publication Date: March 2012
Format: Picture book
ISBN: 9781862916890
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture book