Underneath a Cow (Carol Ann Martin, illus by Ben Wood, Omnibus)

The humble cow is such a useful animal, raised for her hide, her milk and her meat, but in Carol Ann Martin and Ben Wood’s picture book, she serves another function: shelter. One day Madge the cow spies a purplish cloud looming on the horizon. The other farm animals are wary of its portent. Lally the rabbit is three fields away from her burrow and when the raindrops come, Madge offers her a chance to sit it out below her reassuring bulk. More animals come to rest there, including Robinson the scruffy dog and Cackalina the chook and her chicks. For pre-schoolers in particular, this book is a good lesson in getting along, as it’s becoming rather crowded under Madge—no room to play or annoy each other. Martin also has a good sense of humour when she introduces Spike the echidna (Madge has to remind him to keep away from her dangly bits). Underneath a Cow is all about nurturing. Madge is calm and brave, telling her charges to sing to distract themselves when the rain became a deluge. Wood’s illustrations are energetically sketched, with lots of movement. It’s a book that’s perfect to read in bed, all cosy and warm. As Madge points out, ‘It’s good to be in a safe place… But sometimes we have to be a safe place.’

Thuy On is a Melbourne-based reviewer and books editor of the Big Issue