Farm Year

Dosi Cotroneo is a freelance writer living in Manotick, Ontario.

A calf is born into the world on a late August day. Little does she know
that she will soon have to leave the warmth and comfort of her
mother’s side. The small brown-and-white heifer is taken away to
auction and mistakenly put in with some young bulls. A 10-year-old boy
named Jan and his father are in attendance to buy steer for their beef
farm. When the last seven little calves are left over because no one
wants them, Jan’s father puts in the final bid. Jan is elated! “Now
they’ll be happy with us!” he exclaims. But the calves are weak and
tiny. After losing one of them Jan’s family doesn’t know what to
expect next. Then they discover that the little brown-and-white calf is
not male but female. Jan decides to call her Anna. Anna becomes sick and
almost dies, but gradually recovers and becomes Jan’s favorite. When
he’s not at school, he spends time with her and before long Anna is a
full-grown cow having calves of her own.

Monika Popp’s touching story about a year in the life of a little
calf and the young boy who takes care of her is sure to be enjoyed by
young children. The soft hues of Popp’s pencil-crayon illustrations
reflect the story’s gentle tone. Highly recommended.