Escape from Baxters' Barn

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 23, 2015

Review

One cold September morning, Burdock the one-eyed barn cat is unable to resist the temptation of the warm farm house kitchen. While sleeping under the stove, Burdock overhears Dewey Baxter tell his brother Grady that the best solution to the farm's financial problems is to burn down the barn and collect the insurance money. Burdock rallies the farm animals with the help of Nanny the goat and an escape plan is hatched. Readers will enjoy the different animal's personalities, back grounds and the ways they pitch in to solve the problem, although Dewey's dangerous plan may be a shock to some. The sweet ending is just what the hardworking team of barn animals deserves. Bond's writing style provides depth and definition with vocabulary that will challenge independent 2-3 grade readers but establishes this title as a welcomed read aloud. Bond's artistic strength shows through the pen and ink drawings of the animals. The animal's individual personalities, their varying emotions and their actions are depicted. The illustrations are scattered throughout and provide details to the text, even explaining what a block latch looks like. A two page spread of the farm assists the reader in understanding where the action takes place. The one misstep is a picture of the family with children at the end of the book. The head and body size of the three children are disproportionate to the adults. Themes of friendship, loyalty and problem-solving are woven through this animal tale.

Overall Book Score: very good