Join Oink the pig and Moo the cow as they work together to paint a barn and along the way learn about having the confidence to be unconventional.
Moo asks his best friend, Oink, to help him paint a barn, and Oink is glad to help. When Moo discovers that Oink has painted his side with polka dots, he worries because barns are supposed to be red. Oink reassures him that even though most barns are red, they don’t have to be red. Moo realizes that Oink is correct, and together they celebrate the new, colorful barn they painted together!
About the Author :
A former teacher and curriculum writer, Marilee Joy Mayfield has been writing children’s fiction and nonfiction books for the last 20 years. Her passion has always been stories that inspire children to develop into kind, empathetic adults. Her books have sold over one million copies and have been translated into six different languages. It gives her unspeakable joy to know that children and their families are sharing her books in their homes. She lives in Mandeville, Louisiana.
Annabel Spencely’s career began with a degree in Fashion, followed by a Masters in Illustration (she hated sewing!). Her first job was in a publisher’s studio doing coloring books and encyclopedias, which was good for general knowledge. Then she went freelance with children’s books. She accidentally got into greeting cards by agreeing to cover maternity leave for a friend and she loved it. Now she’s getting back into book illustration again. She loves doing figures and animals, but does not love drawing bicycles. She prefers to work by being left alone with her pencils and paints and she likes the feel of actual paint and paper, incorporating the accidental into her work. For her, inspiration can come from anywhere: magazine snippings, TV, random animals, random things in general, cat videos.
Review :
This delightful board book doubles as an activity book, offering children a story and interactive fun. It follows two friends, Cow and Pig, as they work together to paint a barn. The conversational text captures their teamwork: “‘Hey, Oink. I’ll start on this side. Do you want to start on the back?’/ ‘That sounds like a great plan, Moe!’” Throughout the book, labels appear on a bucket of pears, cans of paint, and even a worm, introducing new vocabulary. The final pages include a find-the-difference activity and tracing exercises, ensuring plenty of engagement for children. VERDICT With cheerful digital illustrations and opportunities for learning, this title is a supplemental purchase for most shelves.
