The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
	The Bulletin Dozen is a monthly theme-based booklist available as an online-only Bulletin feature. Since we're awfully fond of bakers here at the Bulletin, we thought we'd adopt their philosophy of generosity and throw in an extra one or two when we have them to offer--so don't expect an even dozen. Please feel free to copy, download, or link to these lists. We ask only that you cite the source. See the archive for lists from previous months.
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Chicken Chasing and Barnyard Brouhahas: A Farm Dozen --selected by Kate Quealy-Gainer, Assistant Editor It's summertime here in central illinois, and that means our farmer's market is in full swing. Check out these books about the ups and downs of farm life while indulging in the best of your local produce.

• Cooper, Elisha. Farm; written and illus. by Elisha Cooper. Orchard Books, 2010. 5-9 yrs
  Quiet rhyming text and watercolor illustrations recount the day-to-day experiences –including the sights, sounds, and smells – on a farm throughout the seasons. (BCCB 6/10)

• Crum, Shutta. Thunder-Boomer!; illus. by Carol Thompson. Clarion, 2009. 5-8 yrs
  A farm family gets an unexpected visitor during a summer storm. A playful text full of amusing sound effects is accompanied by vibrant mixed-media illustrations, making this an excellent storytime choice. (BCCB 9/09)

• Elliot, David. On the Farm; illus. by Holly Meade. Candlewick, 2008. 5-8 yrs
  Farm animals serve as the subject matter in thirteen brief but ultimately entertaining poems that range from playful to introspective in tone. Woodcut illustrations offer a unique addition to this homage to farm life. (BCCB 3/08)

• Harrington, Janice N. The Chicken-chasing Queen of Lamar County; illus. by Shelley Jackson. FSG, 2007. 4-8 yrs
  Despite her best efforts, our young narrator just can’t seem to catch Miss Hen, the most elusive and wily of her grandmother’s chickens. When she finally does corner the feathered squawker, the young girl uncovers a few surprises that make her change her chicken-chasing ways. (BCCB 6/07)

• Himmelman, John. Chickens to the Rescue; written and illus. by John Himmelman. Holt, 2006. 4-8 yrs
  Life on the farm can be tough, but fortunately Farmer Greenstalk has a bevy of helpful hens ready to save the day when things go awry. Feathers fly as the chickens engage in increasingly off-the-wall rescues, and young listeners will enthusiastically repeat the book’s chorus--“Chickens to the rescue!”--as they go from one good deed to the next. (BCCB 11/06)

• Marrin, Albert. Years of Dust: The Story of the Dust Bowl. Dutton, 2009. Gr. 5-8
  In this clear, comprehensive overview, author Marrin examines both the ecological circumstances and the political factors that caused the great Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Timelines, charts, sidebars, and historical illustrations provide a complete picture of this historical disaster. (BCCB 10/09)

• Mathews, Ellie. The Linden Tree. Milkweed Editions, 2007. Gr. 4-6
  When Katy Sue’s mother passes away, her loving but overbearing aunt moves in to help out on the family’s small Iowa farm. A gentle tale about familial love and sacrifice, this will please fans of L.M. Montgomery and Jennifer Holm’s Penny From Heaven. (BCCB 9/07)

• Meng, CeCe. Tough Chicks; illus. by Melissa Suber. Clarion, 2008. 5-8 yrs
  Chickens Penny, Polly, and Molly refuse to conform to the barnyard standards of typical chick behavior and instead spend their days roping roosters, racing bugs, wrestling worms, and generally causing mayhem. When the farm’s only tractor breaks down, however, their not-so-traditional skills come in handy. (BCCB 2/09)

• Murdock, Catherine Gilbert. Dairy Queen: A Novel. Houghton Mifflin, 2006. Gr. 7-10
  D.J. Shwenk is no stranger to hard work and after a lifetime of living in her brothers’ shadows and a summer working her parent’s farm, she decides to follow in the family’s football tradition and tries out for her school’s (all male) varsity team. (BCCB 9/06)

• Palatini, Margie. Moo Who?; illus. by Keith Graves. Katherine Tegen Books, 2004. 3-7 yrs
  Hilda Mae heifer has lost her moo after taking a cowpie to the head. The other animals try to persuade her of her bovine nature, but Hilda isn’t convinced of what sound she should be making. Lively, full-spread illustrations and an engaging text that invites listeners to provide their own sound effects make this a storytime favorite. (BCCB 7/04)

• Selfors, Suzanne. Fortune’s Magic Farm; illus. by Catia Chien. Little, Brown, 2009. Gr. 4-6
  After running away from her dreary home in Runny Cove, ten-year-old orphan Isabelle learns that she is the last of a long line of tenders – people who care what little magic remains on earth. (BCCB 5/09)

• Van Cleve, Kathleen. Drizzle. Dial, 2010. Gr. 4-7
  Despite growing up on an enchanted farm, eleven-year-old Polly Peabody is a surprisingly average girl who considers herself rather useless. When the plants start to wither mysteriously and her family begins to fall apart, however, she discovers she is more extraordinary – and more essential to the farm’s success - than she previously thought. (BCCB 6/10)
  
  
  
  
  

This page was last updated on July 1, 2010.