COWS GOING PAST

Using simply drawn figures and pale, clear colors, Nash transforms a catalog of common car-window sights into something deliciously uncommon. “Everything goes past . . . fast,” a young observer notes, including cows: “A red cow under a green tree staring at a dog. Bow-wow, cow! A brown cow and a white cow asleep by a stream. Do they dream?” Innocuous enough—but that red cow is actually deep in a book, those snoozing cattle cradle a rod and reel while fish check out their bait can; other bovines gambol about waving a veil, schmooze over little cups of espresso, or, as night falls, gather fireflies in jars. Closing with a Good Night, Moon–style recap—“Good-bye, town. Good-bye, tree. Good-bye, barn. Good-bye, sea. And cows. . . . ”—as a cozy bed beckons at journey’s end, this will delight parents as much as preschoolers with its rhythmic language and whimsical twists. (Picture book. 3-5)