Review by Frostygrape -- Farmer Beau's Farm
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Frostygrape
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- Latest Review: Farmer Beau's Farm by Kathleen Geiger
Review by Frostygrape -- Farmer Beau's Farm
[Following is a volunteer review of "Farmer Beau's Farm" by Kathleen Geiger.]
3 out of 4 stars
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Farmer Beau’s Farm
Farmer Beau’s Farm is a very playful and moral based children’s book, written by Kathleen Geiger, and illustrated by Adam Musk. The main characters in this story take form as kitten named Kailey, and a bunny named Sammy. Kailey and Sammy become acquainted fairly early in our story and soon become good companions, However Kailey Kitten and Samantha Bunny are both faced with uncertainty as the story unfolds. There is rumor, of an unknown member of the animal kingdom, coming to the farm. Can Kailey Kitten and Samantha Bunny overcome their aversion to things that are new and unknown? Will they be able to make the farm a happy place to live for all animals involved?
I found this book to be very exciting and fresh, starting with the opening scene being a very big event, an unexpected litter of kittens has been born on the farm. The author has plucked this happy coincidence from an even that she experienced firsthand. To be surprised by a litter of kittens running about your yard would be intriguing for anyone. I also enjoyed the author including, in detail the care that farmer Beau and his Wife Bamma show towards there animals. The downfall of this book for me was the flow of the story, it just felt rushed and the ending felt inconclusive to me. More detail in the ending, and more detailed to build up the story’s main events, would have made this book more enjoyable for me.
If I was to say what would improve this book for me I would have to say the amplification of descriptions, details, and a different book title. Personally I can appreciate the work that goes into writing a book, and I can only imagine the pressure the authors must feel in naming there work. The title “Farmer Beau’s Farm” feels like it under represents a very good story and may fall short of attracting attention initially. In my opinion one of the greatest joys in reading is being able to picture the scene being described to you, and to be able to follow the emotions of each character, as they experience the highs and lows of the events unfolding in front of them. I felt this book fell short in the description department. One example of the lack of detail for me was when Samantha Bunny was added to story. The introduction of a bunny to a kitten was lacking a certain suspense one would expect, most children would know that cats are a predatory animal, a build up to possible conflict or tension would have greatly improved this scene. I would have also liked to see the connection between farmer Beau and his wife Bamma with their animals. The author does imply that the animals are well taken care of, whoever I would have liked to see a little more detail about their daily interaction on the farm, as this story is completely told in a farm setting.
In reviewing this book, I can appreciate the message that is being sending to the reader. The author did a good job delivering such a heavy message in a light way. Accepting people’s differences and treating everyone as an equal is a big message, and I believe it was generally delivered in a tactful manner. I would have liked to see a statement or a bold conclusion drawn to the lesson, this would have enabled the main point to really hit home. Drawing the conclusion the author has picked a moral point, that every animal in this story deserved to be treated equally by the other animals, despite their differences. A very wonderful read in my opinion, and a great message for everyone to remember and reflect on.
To give you a taste of the writing here are some quotes that show how the author chose to build up to the new arrival. “I think it would be fun to have something unusual on the farm,” replied Farmer Beau. “We’re turning this place into a magical setting!” Kailey and Sammy looked at one another.” What were they talking about coming to the farm?” It couldn’t be a cow, horse, pig, or sheep, because they belong on a farm.” They tried to listen some more, but they couldn’t hear anything coming from the kitchen.” Kailey and Sammy were unsure if they wanted something different on the farm.”
With the rough flow and double stated title of the book, as well as the lack of description, I rate Farmer Beau’s Farm by Kathleen Geiger two out of four stars. The book is recommended for grade school children, the story is very appropriate for that age group. But I would recommend a restructuring of the connection from scene to scene and some additional content detailing the major events. Great story, great message needs more description.
******
Farmer Beau's Farm
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
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3 out of 4 stars
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Farmer Beau’s Farm
Farmer Beau’s Farm is a very playful and moral based children’s book, written by Kathleen Geiger, and illustrated by Adam Musk. The main characters in this story take form as kitten named Kailey, and a bunny named Sammy. Kailey and Sammy become acquainted fairly early in our story and soon become good companions, However Kailey Kitten and Samantha Bunny are both faced with uncertainty as the story unfolds. There is rumor, of an unknown member of the animal kingdom, coming to the farm. Can Kailey Kitten and Samantha Bunny overcome their aversion to things that are new and unknown? Will they be able to make the farm a happy place to live for all animals involved?
I found this book to be very exciting and fresh, starting with the opening scene being a very big event, an unexpected litter of kittens has been born on the farm. The author has plucked this happy coincidence from an even that she experienced firsthand. To be surprised by a litter of kittens running about your yard would be intriguing for anyone. I also enjoyed the author including, in detail the care that farmer Beau and his Wife Bamma show towards there animals. The downfall of this book for me was the flow of the story, it just felt rushed and the ending felt inconclusive to me. More detail in the ending, and more detailed to build up the story’s main events, would have made this book more enjoyable for me.
If I was to say what would improve this book for me I would have to say the amplification of descriptions, details, and a different book title. Personally I can appreciate the work that goes into writing a book, and I can only imagine the pressure the authors must feel in naming there work. The title “Farmer Beau’s Farm” feels like it under represents a very good story and may fall short of attracting attention initially. In my opinion one of the greatest joys in reading is being able to picture the scene being described to you, and to be able to follow the emotions of each character, as they experience the highs and lows of the events unfolding in front of them. I felt this book fell short in the description department. One example of the lack of detail for me was when Samantha Bunny was added to story. The introduction of a bunny to a kitten was lacking a certain suspense one would expect, most children would know that cats are a predatory animal, a build up to possible conflict or tension would have greatly improved this scene. I would have also liked to see the connection between farmer Beau and his wife Bamma with their animals. The author does imply that the animals are well taken care of, whoever I would have liked to see a little more detail about their daily interaction on the farm, as this story is completely told in a farm setting.
In reviewing this book, I can appreciate the message that is being sending to the reader. The author did a good job delivering such a heavy message in a light way. Accepting people’s differences and treating everyone as an equal is a big message, and I believe it was generally delivered in a tactful manner. I would have liked to see a statement or a bold conclusion drawn to the lesson, this would have enabled the main point to really hit home. Drawing the conclusion the author has picked a moral point, that every animal in this story deserved to be treated equally by the other animals, despite their differences. A very wonderful read in my opinion, and a great message for everyone to remember and reflect on.
To give you a taste of the writing here are some quotes that show how the author chose to build up to the new arrival. “I think it would be fun to have something unusual on the farm,” replied Farmer Beau. “We’re turning this place into a magical setting!” Kailey and Sammy looked at one another.” What were they talking about coming to the farm?” It couldn’t be a cow, horse, pig, or sheep, because they belong on a farm.” They tried to listen some more, but they couldn’t hear anything coming from the kitchen.” Kailey and Sammy were unsure if they wanted something different on the farm.”
With the rough flow and double stated title of the book, as well as the lack of description, I rate Farmer Beau’s Farm by Kathleen Geiger two out of four stars. The book is recommended for grade school children, the story is very appropriate for that age group. But I would recommend a restructuring of the connection from scene to scene and some additional content detailing the major events. Great story, great message needs more description.
******
Farmer Beau's Farm
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
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Latest Review: Farmer Beau's Farm by Kathleen Geiger
