We're Going to the Farmers' Market

December 23, 2013
Illustrator Page debuts with a board book that sings the praises of visiting the farmers' market and the cooking done afterward. With its vivid palette, contrasting colors, and geometric designs, Page's artwork feels cousin to that of Patrick Hruby; he focuses on the foodâthe only human faces belong to a few solemn vendors (not the most welcoming crowd). Still, the enthusiastic verse ("To table, to table, it is time to dig in!") and bold imagery may pique the appetites of budding gourmands. A farmers' marketâthemed mobile and flashcard set featuring Page's artwork are also available. Up to age 2.

A trip to the local farmers market provides the ingredients for a feast. "To market, / to market, / we are on our way. // So many groceries to find, / on this warm sunny day!" The rest of the rhymed verse takes readers through a shopping excursion to buy eggs, cheese, veggies and more, to the kitchen to prepare them and, finally, to an impressive table covered with food on the final two pages. While Page's art is graphically interesting, with boldly outlined shapes representing a variety of provisions against backgrounds with subtle patterns, some of the images may not read as food to the typical board-book readers, who are still learning to identify edibles. For example, a hunk of Swiss cheese is rendered with vertical, black lines running down one side, and pea pods are shaped like diamonds; a couple of vegetables and fruits may prove unrecognizable even to adults. The verse cleverly uses the first line and meter of the traditional rhyme "To Market, To Market," but several of the lines don't scan. The idea for this book is just right for the board-book set, but the art may prove too abstract for youngsters still learning to connect what they find on their plates to what they see on the page. (Board book. 18 mos.-3) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.