Marvel at Farmer Joe and his music show! Hum and strum along to the band’s sublime rhyme and join in the fun for the happiest, thigh-slappiest book ever! From award winning poet Tony Mitton and his illustration partner, the talented and exuberant Guy Parker-Rees, comes a warm hearted and funny story that will bring a glow to the heart and a bounce to the step of the reader.

Poor old Farmer Joe, his farm is an unhappy place, the hens won’t lay and the crops are refusing to grow. Framer Joe needs to find a way of restoring happiness and harmony to his farm, but what is it that the animals and crops need? Could music be the key? Farmer Joe is willing to give it a try so he puts on his hat, pulls out his guitar and starts to strum a tune. His tune is so catchy that very soon not only are the animals responding but a whole group is formed. With fox on the fiddle, rabbit on her concertina and bear on his bass the little band get the animals joining in to the wonderful jig and back into action. Then when they have all stopped for a rest the band decides to play a little more, just for fun!

 Farmer Joe is happy at last for now he knows exactly what his farm needs to help it work. With its fabulous rhyming and simple text that cries out to be shared and read aloud and the bright, buoyant illustration which jumps off the pages encouraging the reader to feel warm and happy, this is a feel-good story of fun and frolics on the farm. Children will learn about the animals and their contribution to the farm as well as the importance of friendship and co-operation. The farms chickens, pigs and cows are full of life and more importantly appear friendly. The characters in the band are not the usual suspects; for example rabbits and foxes don’t usually mix, but they send to the reader the message that with a little encouragement it is possible to live in harmony with one another.

 Share this book with groups of children for an exciting reading adventure, a sing along and some important lessons but most of all enjoy it for its life and vibrancy.

2008-08-28