Farmer Joe Baby-sits

Patricia Morley is professor emerita of English and Canadian studies at
Concordia University, and the author of Kurlek, Margaret Laurence: The
Long Journey Home, and As Though Life Mattered: Leo Kennedy’s Story.

Farmer Joe must baby-sit Jennifer all by himself, and he has never done
any baby-sitting in his entire life. He takes Jennifer on a tour of the
farm, but trouble sets in when they realize her blanket has been lost.
Jennifer cannot take a nap without it. As they retrace their steps
searching for it, they find many things but no blanket.

In this deliciously whimsical book for preschoolers, Werner
Zimmermann’s delightful illustrations move easily between fantasy and
reality, showing a hilarious view of farming as well as anxiety and
relief (one has the animals rejoicing as Jennifer finally falls asleep
on the hay, just as her parents’ truck can be seen approaching the
farm). They also complement perfectly Nancy Wilcox Richards’s simple
but engaging text. Highly recommended.