The farmer

PreS-Gr 1-In the village, everyone is resting, except for Paul the farmer. He works relentlessly: mowing, raking, digging, and hauling water. Paul works day after day to tend to his crops and stops only when he is exhausted. And every day, Paul tirelessly watches, waits, inspects, and checks his plants until, finally, green shoots up from the ground and everything on his farm begins to flourish. Suddenly, the well dries up-along with all of his plants. The sun beats down. There is not one drop left for Paul to water his garden. But the farmer is not alone, and his animal friends step in to help. In the end, the rain, and help from friends, is never far away. Abadia is a Spanish author and illustrator who is well known throughout Europe for his work in advertising and editorial art, in addition to his many books. The story was originally published in French, and this English translation combines simple text with stunning spreads to demonstrate the power of hard work and friendship. VERDICT A gorgeous picture book with a message that will resonate with young readers.-Elizabeth Blake, Brooklyn Public Library © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A hardworking farmer, toiling solo until his well runs dry, is aided by helpful friends and timely rain."Paul mowsrakesdigs[and] draws water" in successive spreads, one per action. After his well fails, the searing sun dominates a double spread, dwarfing Paul's farmhouse and blackened crops. "But Paul is not alone"a silhouetted cow, donkey, mole, and bird (all seen in earlier spreads) parade forth, bearing water and implements"and his friend the rain is never truly far away." A page turn reveals Paul's lush, lovely cropsthe result of his close observation, intense labor, and a hefty dose of good luck. Abadio's nave compositions convey a winsome bemusement that never mocks Paul, a white man who is matter-of-factly portrayed with a large, beaky red nose, tall black hat, and ballooning red overalls. Paul is absent or visually minuscule in some spreadsa nod to the central role that the land plays in the lives of farmers. Gentle humor is visual, as when a succession of Pauls peer from a series of mole holes. Compositions, all done on yellow paper, are striking: Mirroring the spread with the enormous sun is an equally mammoth moon that silhouettes Paul's tiny house; in another, Paul stands level with the bottom of the dry well looking up, the bucket resting in futility at the bottom of the aquifer.Charmingly unassuming, rather like Paul himself. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.