"You are right," says Barn Owl. "The sun is late to rise."
"We will have to wake her up," says Mule.
"Or the farmer will sleep and sleep," says Milk Cow.
"And breakfast will never come," says Miniature Horse.
"Okay," says Barn Owl. "Here is what you must do ... "
I am always very interested to see what this married team has in store for young readers. I can say they never disappoint. When a mule, a milk cow, and a miniature horse look out on a dark sky, we learn they are waiting for the sun to come up. It is silent everywhere, but for the squeak-squeak-squeak of a weather vane. The moon is full, the barn light shines down on them.
Convinced that the sun is late - which means the farmer is also late - they decide to seek counsel from the barn owl. Barn Owl agrees with them. Together they determine they must wake the sun before everyone misses breakfast. The farmer needs to awaken. Following the barn owl's advice for travel to the edge of the world, they wander forth. Don't forget to invite Rooster, they are told.
They are worried, as they have never left the barnyard. They will need to be courageous in order to do what needs to be done. They walk off together. As they go, they share their wonderings about what they pass along the way. They reach the edge of their world just in time for Rooster to provide a reminder to the sun. What of the farmer? She hears, and all is well!
Young readers will absolutely love knowing what the animals don't. Using repetition and perfect word choice, Philip Stead writes another charmer of a book that is sure to be read repeatedly. Working in watercolors, graphite and colored pencils, Erin Stead creates a perfect backdrop for her husband's text, using the deep blues and shadows of nighttime as it gives way to the beauty of a morning sunrise. Her 'sleeping giant' is brilliant.
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