THE LITTLE FARMER

Margaret Wise Brown's BIG and Little Series needs no introduction. This is a day out of the life of the Big Farmer, who had a big farm, with everything big on it, and of the little farmer who had things in the scale a child would want. Here again comes the final dream where the big farmer dreams a little dream and the little farmer dreams a big dream. Hop-o-my-thumb psychology holds true consistently, and children are beguiled by the theme. Esphyr Slobodkina's striking illustrations in modulated greens, reds, blues, greys and white give a lively effect of gay posters. In order to help the small reader follow as the text is read, the type has been set in different sizes (and the voice should follow its lead).