Market Day (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Market Day Elizabeth Bush Cordsen, Carol Foskett Market Day; illus. by Douglas B. Jones. Dutton, 2008 [32p] ISBN 978-0-525-47883-6 $16.99 Reviewed from galleys R 4–7 yrs The Bensons, who made their debut in Cordsen’s The Milkman (BCCB 10/05), are now farming. They must not be quite attuned to the rhythm of the work day, though, because the sun’s already creeping up by the time they awaken and realize it’s market day, and the apples still have to be picked and packed and driven to their farm stand. Nobody has time to feed the cow, and nobody thinks to close the gate, and that’s a sure recipe for trouble. While the Bensons and their farm neighbors set up their stalls, the cow finds her way to the market and upsets all the displays that stand between her and breakfast until finally the family sorts out the situation: “One green apple. One more. Red./ Benson farm cow finally fed./ Bensons help with Market mess./ Market open. Big success.” Although kids familiar with farmers’ markets won’t regard the setting as anything exotic, clothing and autos push the date back six or seven decades, and the saturated colors washed with a slightly incandescent golden glow suggest (without blatantly mimicking) an earlier era in children’s book illustration as well. Farm cow, with her pertly turned horns, gleaming brass bell, curly eyelashes, and white starred forehead, is a bovine babe that could make Elsie the Cow moo with envy, and the ruddy-cheeked Bensons exude heartland wholesomeness. Kids with a measure of farm smarts may not fully buy into the Bensons’ chances of getting a truckload of apples from tree to market with so tardy a start to the day, but they’ll certainly enjoy following the farm cow’s rump and hoof prints as she tracks down her forgetful owners. Copyright © 2008 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois