Book Review: Sally Goes to the Farm (dog, children's book)

Sally Goes to the Farm, by Stephen Huneck (Abrams, 2002, 40 pages, $18.95, ages 4-8)

Like the other books in the Sally series, Sally Goes to the Farm is brilliantly written and illustrated with infinite care. I am so glad I finally discovered Stephen Huneck as a children’s author and illustrator, besides being a creative woodcarver and artist.

Sally, America’s favorite black Lab, lives on a mountain called – what else? Dog Mountain in Vermont so she is terribly excited to visit a farm!

How Huneck Illustrated The Sally Books

Huneck first drew the illustrations in crayon; then, for each color, he carved a different block of wood. After each block was inked with its one color, the blocks were stamped onto paper and allowed to dry. Painstakingly finished and filled with love, these illustrations are a national treasure.

No humans appear in the Sally books, not even children – only parts of humans, like hands for petting dogs and arms for driving them around. Because, after all, these are dog books (for all children who understand dogs).

Lessons in Confidence and Exploration

Who does Sally meet and what new things does she experience? Each book is an adventure with Sally teaching her young readers how much fun it is to meet new friends and try new things in new places like at the farm. If Sally the Lab can do it, so can your child!

Charming and whimsical with a twist or two to keep the giggles coming, even from the adults, The Sally Books are books to keep. They are intensely child-centric and personal, told from a dog’s point of view so children naturally understand and written on two levels so parents enjoy them, too.

Meanwhile, Down on the Farm

Your child will see the farm and smell it too as he learns that Sally loves to ‘horse around’ with a horse, eats ‘like a pig’ (with a pig) and meets a scarecrow. “He seems nice. But he does not say a word.. . . run, or we will get a goosing.” And what appears but a goose!

Children will also learn how dogs meet – nose to butt!

Sally Goes to the Farm is simply delightful for kids and their astute parents, with lively descriptions and illustrations for one’s imagination to build on.

And who hasn’t met a black lab like Sally? Or lives with one?

Next: Sally Goes to the Vet

The Sally Books:

Sally Goes to the Beach, Sally Goes to the Mountains, Sally Goes to the Farm, Sally Goes to the Vet , Sally’s Snow Adventure, Sally Gets a Job and Sally Goes to Heaven

Sally’s Great Balloon Adventure

Sally at the Farm, Sally in the Sand

My Dog’s Brain, The Dog Chapel, and Even Bad Dogs Go to Heaven

Book Review: Sally Goes to the Mountains (dog, children's book)

Sally Goes to the Mountains, by Stephen Huneck (Abrams, 2001, 38 pages, $18.95, ages 4-8)

Sally Goes to the Mountains is entrancing and educational – for children and for their parents.

Sally, America’s favorite black lab, (probably) lives on Dog Mountain in Vermont with author, woodcarver and illustrator Stephen Huneck but she is very excited about going on vacation to the mountains, nonetheless.

A Dog Book for Kids (and Adults), Starring – A Dog!

No humans appear in this book series, not even children – only parts of humans, like hands for petting dogs and arms for driving them around. Because, after all, these are dog books (for all children who understand dogs). The Sally books are intensely dog-centric, child-centric and personal, told from a dog’s point of view so children naturally understand and adults have to try harder.

Illustrations

Huneck first drew the illustrations in crayon; then, for each color, he carved a different block of wood. After each block was inked with its one color, the blocks were stamped onto paper and allowed to dry. Painstakingly finished and filled with love, these illustrations are a national treasure.

At the Mountains

Who does Sally meet and what new things does she experience? Each Sally book is an adventure with Sally teaching her young readers how much fun it is to meet new friends and try new things in new places like at the mountains. Confidence will build in your child.

Sally falls asleep in the car on the way to the mountains. The next thing you know, she is meeting all the animals she read about to get ready for her trip to the mountains. . . . . Sally meets an owl and introduces herself. “Hi! My name is Sally.” “Who?” “Sally.” “Who?”. . . .

The mountains are beautiful and hopping with life (bunnies, that is) and a family of skunks is very nice, except for one little stinker. (This is sure to become a family joke.)

Finally, Sally spies a bush full of cans of dog food but nobody is around to open the cans. “Sally, wake up. We’re. . . .“ here.

The Sally Books, Truly a National Treasure

Charming and whimsical with a twist or two to keep the giggles coming, even from the adults, the Sally books are books to keep.

Each book is simply too charming. Each situation is simply priceless. I wish I would’ve thought of even one of them!

For Adults?

Don’t tell anyone but I think The Sally Books were also written with adults in mind. We can always say we bought them for the wood-cut illustrations!

Next: Sally Goes to the Farm

The Sally Books:

Sally Goes to the Beach, Sally Goes to the Mountains, Sally Goes to the Farm, Sally Goes to the Vet , Sally’s Snow Adventure, Sally Gets a Job and Sally Goes to Heaven

Sally’s Great Balloon Adventure

Sally at the Farm, Sally in the Sand

My Dog’s Brain, The Dog Chapel, and Even Bad Dogs Go to Heaven

Book Review: Sally Goes to the Beach (dog, children's book)

Sally Goes to the Beach, by Stephen Huneck (Abrams, 2000, 38 pages, $18.95, ages 4-8,) (a New York Times bestseller)

Sally Goes to the Beach is bound to start you and your child off on a wonderful reading adventure. The first book in the series, Sally Goes to the Beach will bring a smile to your face each time you think of it. No humans appear, not even children – only parts of humans, like hands for petting dogs and arms for driving them around. Because, after all, these are dog books (for all children who understand dogs).

Sally is America’s favorite black Lab who lives in Vermont with author, illustrator and woodcarver Stephen Huneck at Dog Mountain. She is excited to be going to the beach because, at the beach, “The air smells great. Just like cat food.”

With a boat called The Friendship (a play on words for parents who also never tire of The Sally Books), children understand having so much fun that Sally is sorry to see the sun finally setting – until she hears the can opener.

After dinner the dogs “do” the dishes – you can just picture that!

The Illustrations

For each of the Sally books, Huneck first drew the illustrations in crayon; then, for each color, he carved a different block of wood. After each block was inked with its one color, the blocks were stamped onto paper and allowed to dry. Painstakingly finished and filled with love, these illustrations are a national treasure.

Lessons

Sally shares her adventures of meeting new friends and doing new things so children will find it easier to meet new friends and do new things. Sally will be a comforting teacher for your child.

I love Sally. You and your child will, too.

Next: Sally Goes to the Mountains

The Sally Books:

Sally Goes to the Beach, Sally Goes to the Mountains, Sally Goes to the Farm, Sally Goes to the Vet , Sally’s Snow Adventure, Sally Gets a Job and Sally Goes to Heaven

Sally’s Great Balloon Adventure

Sally at the Farm, Sally in the Sand

My Dog’s Brain, The Dog Chapel, and Even Bad Dogs Go to Heaven