Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Incantatory lines of free verse by debut author Rogers consider a barn and the creatures living in and around it--a cat, cows and their calves, hens, horses, swallows, and even a lonely coyote. The huge red building narrates from atop a hill: "I am a barn," it announces in a refrain. It remembers its construction, a barn raising involving hazy-faced, largely pink-skinned neighbors, and explains the source of its strength: "Triangles keep me sturdy/ Large wooden beams bear my weight." In the morning, the animals begin their day ("My chickens amble out of my coop"). At midday, the cows "chomp on tall, rich grass/ shooing flies away." In the evening, the animals come slowly in and bed down, each in its own place: "Heavy, restful breathing, warm and comforting." Rich, saturated watercolor and gouache spreads by Root (The Bell in the Bridge) give the pages an almost hypnotic calm, capturing the long shadows of dawn and dusk as well as the contrast between their deep indigo and the gold of the barn's wooden beams. Atmospheric spreads and quiet verses combine to form a sedate bedtime lullaby that's attentive to nature's daily cycles. Ages 2--5. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--3--For years, a big red barn has sat regally atop a hill, protecting and observing the many creatures who call it home. From the moment the morning sun rises, cows, chickens, horses, dogs, and cats go about their business, taking shelter in the barn when the outside world becomes overwhelming. Gazing down upon them through sightless window/eyes, the barn is a solid fixture of this pastoral farm. This poetically written picture book depicts life on an American farm as one that is at once relaxing and vibrant. When text is used, it begins with the line "I am a barn," and proceeds to present a poem that depicts a particular facet of farm observations. Descriptive and refreshing language enhances young readers' vocabulary, especially when absorbed alongside the illustrations. Created in watercolor and gouache, the images are the primary feature of this book and incorporate the yellows, greens, and browns of rural life alongside the iconic barn red. Soft lines and careful lighting give the illustrations a sense of calm while guiding readers through a typical summer day. VERDICT Introducing readers to poetry through the use of familiar shapes and farm animals, this is a rich addition to poetry units for elementary collections.--Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver P.L.
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Introducing a familiar farmyard presence. A barn sided in red cedar narrates this soothing story and describes its daily routine, overseeing the animals it lovingly shelters and nurtures. Each spread following the initial setup opens with the line "I am a barn." The barn begins with a discussion of the communal barn raising that brought it forth over a century earlier; readers will learn details about its construction and how it has stood strong over time. Though not written in verse, the narrative is gently poetic; the simple, straightforward prose brims with pleasant consonants and assonants, and, indeed, the rolling, rhythmic text appeals to all the senses. Slower-paced read-alouds will not only reward listeners, but also allow kids to savor the delightful, muted painted images of greenery, farmland, and the barn's residents: chickens that "amble out of my coop"; cows that "chomp on tall, rich grass"; and dogs that "romp and wrestle in my outstretched fields." Calves, barn swallows, and a cat and her adorable brood also appear. Unsurprisingly, the book concludes after almost everyone has fallen asleep within the barn's cozy embrace. Children will happily note the open-door welcome to the kitty on the last page as she returns home from a scary encounter midway through the story. The dozers are, naturally, a signal to sleepy readers, confirmed with the barn's final whisper, "I am your barn." Several humans depicted present White. Sweet, reassuring, comforting. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
