Another Remarkable Creative Team: The Steads!

My recent post featured a new picture book created by a talented pair whose collaboration produced an exciting and distinctive retelling of THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF, HERE.  

"The Steads"  have together produced Caldecott-winner A SICK DAY FOR AMOS McGEE, along with many other titles that tap into gentle but moving relationships and characters. Click HERE to see some of their covers and anticipate an "AHA" recognition of favorites of your own.

NEAL PORTER BOOKS, 2022

THE SUN IS LATE AND SO IS THE FARMER is written by Philip Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead. This recent work offers some parallels to that earlier work with a feel that it may have found some roots in classic tales, too, but is entirely original. The animals are on a farm, not at the zoo, and the missing human, a central figure in both, is a farmer, not a zookeeper. 

In this case the animals note the absence of the sun, only then realizing that the farmer is also late, and their food has not been prepared for the day ahead. The three central figures are ideally partnered, a sort of animal Magi, watching the predawn sky for a sign of the new day. The mule, the milk cow, and the miniature horse are boon companions, kindred spirits. They share their worries, discuss possible next steps, sharing their progress through an effort to take action, to help in some way. Barn owl is consulted, since everyone knows how wise owls are. 

Owl's advice is seemingly simple, as is this entire story: subtle, reasonable, with some concerns but nothing terrifying. The pace, repetition, naturally expressive features and postures the farm animals all take readers on a steady, companionable adventure through the field of sheep, across the broken fence, into an acre of tall corn, past the farmhouse (with no lights on), to "the edge of the world". 

That's not to say there are no surprises, and the story allows time for readers to examine elements of each dimly-lit scene, each aptly chosen word, and experience each building emotion and final, satisfying resolution. The animals are not "named", just as is true for most farm animals. That in no way implies that they lack personality or character. Rather, they are each and together unforgettable. The same is true of this lovely picture book.

 I heard about this book when it released a few months ago, and I've looked forward to reading it closely. Now that I've had it in mom hands, I've returned to it, time after time. Each time I notice elements of the text and the images that add depth and sensitivity to a moving and gratifying story while providing those "things" we love in books for younger audiences: expanding vocabulary, awareness of social and emotional connections, gentle humor, all while treading the tender line between realism and fantasy. Read this and share it, soon.