Review by Booklist Review
The creators of the immensely popular series that began with Caldecott Honor Book Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type (2001) continue the story of Farmer Brown and his barnyard full of insubordinate animals. Here, Brown eagerly prepares for the annual Corn Maze Festival, and he invents Tom Sawyer-like tactics to convince the animals to lend a hoof or wing. Only Duck is unmoved, and it's only after Farmer Brown threatens to withhold Duck's favorite food that he finally agrees to help. Kids who know Duck from the first titles won't be surprised at all that the wily bird only appears to be compliant; his secret revenge (a much-altered corn maze) is revealed in a final, laugh-out-loud gatefold illustration. Composed of short sentences printed in large type, the entertaining story is well suited to new readers, who will stretch for the few vocabulary words (meteorology, for example). Readers and listeners both will delight in Lewin's typically comic bold-lined illustrations and in Farmer Brown's folly, even as they (and their parents) recognize the familiar power struggles.--Engberg, Gillian Copyright 2008 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Starred Review. It's another interspecies battle of wits--and read-aloud winner--from a celebrated duo. This time, Farmer Brown is trying to put together a fabulous Statue of Liberty corn maze. But the ever-subversive Duck has different ideas--and given that he also owns night-vision goggles and a glow-in-the-dark ruler, it's not surprising whose artistic vision triumphs. This entry is more goofy than satiric--it's closer in spirit to Dooby Dooby Moo than Duck for President. But it also proves that this team continues to operate in top form. Lewin is especially good here: her bold, loosely rendered watercolors continue to find new comic depths in the obsessive, cranky Duck (the scenes drawn from the perspective of his night-vision goggles are a hoot). And the subsidiary characters garner plenty of giggles, too. Ages 3-7. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Duck is up to his usual mischief again in this fall-themed tale by Doreen Cronin (S. & S., 2008). Farmer Brown prepares for the annual Corn Maze Festival and enlists all the animals' help. He bribes the reluctant chickens by letting them use his hammers, and he coerces the cows with the promise of paintbrushes. Duck is uninterested in working but is assigned to build the ticket booth. Meanwhile, Farmer Brown meticulously maps out the Statue of Liberty design for the corn maze, carefully calculating, checking, and cutting. Unbeknownst to him, though, Duck sneaks into the corn field each evening with his night-vision goggles and does some sketching, measuring, counting, and cutting of his own. When the big day arrives and Farmer Brown takes a hot-air balloon ride to view his masterpiece from above, he's shocked to see Duck's nighttime alterations. Maurice England narrates and provides sound effects for this pitch-perfect fall time story, and the thickly outlined illustrations capture the spirit and mirth Duck brings to the farmyard tale. VERDICT This story will complement fall and harvest festival celebrations, and viewers will enjoy watching Duck and the other animals put their own unique spin on Farmer Brown's plans.-Anne Bozievich, Friendship Elementary School, Glen Rock, PA © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
