It's Milking Time [hc]
Written by Phyllis Alsdurf & illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
As the sun sets over the fields, a little girl and her father begin the evening milking. The girl gathers the cows- a "Holstein parade"- and guides them to the barn. Father and daughter work side by side, piling up the grain for feeding, fanning out beds of straw, and hooking up the milkers. In the corner pen, the girl feeds the calves all by herself.
Soon they've filled milk can after milk can for the creamery truck that will arrive in the morning. The fresh dairy product isn't just for them- other families will buy their milk, butter, and cheese at stores and farmers markets near and far, connecting the little girl's farm to the world beyond.
This lyrical and visual treasure is perfect for reading aloud every morning, every night, to anyone who's ever asked: Where does milk come from? 32 pages
"At once both reminiscent and contemporary, this narrative poem tells the twice-daily story of milking time. It creates a clear picture of a small family dairy farm, weaving in facts without interfering in the artistry. The careful choice of words alerts all the senses- smell, touch, sight, hearing, and even taste." -School Library Journal (Kindergarten-Grade 4)
"Alsdurf grew up on a dairy farm in southern Minnesota and it shows. Every note of this gentle, yet never patronizing, story of how milk is retrieved from cows is authentic, and it's exactly these specifics that will be eye-opening to young readers... A nicely understated glimpse at a life fewer and fewer kids are likely to see." -Booklist (Kindergarten-Grade 2)
March 15, 2019
AR Level=3.3
