FARMER GEORGE AND THE SNOWSTORM

Avuncular and appealing, Farmer George—along with his wife, Dotty, and the company of animals that populate his quaint English farm—once again rise to the challenge presented by life in the countryside. Farmer George, all muttonchops and Wellingtons, must go to the aid of his sheep when a snowstorm covers their dinner. To get a bail of hay to the upper pasture, he enlists the aid of his trusty dog and horse. Upon reaching the sheep, Farmer George learns that a lamb, Larry, is stuck in a snowdrift. With all the creatures working together, Larry is retrieved and brought back to the farmhouse to warm up. Those who read this season’s other Farmer George book (Farmer George and the New Piglet, see above) won’t be surprised to learn that Larry and his caretaker snooze the night away together only to wake to the rest of the farm animals who’ve come to the parlor to check on them. Ward renders the proceedings in highly narrative, warmly tempered artwork. The story has its moments of staggering sweetness, but the genial atmosphere of cooperation and rhythms of farm life strike elemental chords. (Picture book. 3-5)