Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Farmer and the Clown
Picture Book
For ages 5 and up
Simon and Schuster, 2014 ISBN: 978-1442497443
One day a grumpy faced farmer is laying out his hay to dry in his field when a circus train goes by. The farmer stops working to watch the machine steam past and then he sees someone, a small someone, fall out of the back of the train. When he goes to investigate he sees a little clown, complete with a white face and a big smile, sitting on the ground.
The farmer takes the clown back to his little house. Together they share some food and then wash their faces in preparation for bedtime. When the little clown’s white face is washed away all that is left is the sad face of a little boy in a clown suit, a little boy who is missing his family.
The farmer is distressed when he sees the sad-faced child, and in the morning he begins the day by trying to bring a smile back to his face. There must be something that he can do.
This remarkable wordless picture book explores how friendship can change a person for the better. Children will be fascinated to see how the old farmer, with his scowl and his austere looks, learns something priceless when he befriends the little clown. They will also be delighted when they see how the story ends.
