Staff Review: "The Farmer and the Clown" by Marla Frazee

You know and love Marla Frazee for her illustrations of the Clementine chapter books--now she has a charming new picture book , "The Farmer and the Clown."  I understand your squeamishness about clowns--they give me the willies, too. Frazee has taken the dreaded subject of clowns, removed the scariness, and made them adorable through this beautiful, wordless picture book.

We start with a lonely old farmer who notices something falling off a train as it passes on the far side of his field. Lo and behold, it's a little clown baby. The farmer takes the baby home, feeds him, and they spend a lovely day together around the farm, becoming fast friends in the process. When the circus train returns the next day, there are tearful good-byes and a little surprise for the farmer.

Frazee's muted illustrations convey so much emotion that you will fall in love with the clown baby and the farmer as they spend time together. Your little one will love telling the story as you look through the pictures together. For ages pre-K to second grade.

--Andrea W., Headquarters