George Goes to the Farm (Sinead Saint, Wild Dog)

Playful and charming, George Goes to the Farm marks the debut of writer-illustrator Sinead Saint. Based on Saint’s own 11-year-old Groodle, the story follows George, a city dog who spends his days visiting the salon, taking singing lessons, and hanging out with friends at the park. When George takes a weekend break to visit the farm, he’s expecting rest and relaxation – but with Max the working dog unwell, George must ‘lend a paw’. From gathering eggs in the chicken coop to helping with the sheep in the shearing shed, it turns into a big (and muddy) weekend of hard work. The rhyming text makes the book ideal for reading aloud, and Saint’s anthropomorphised illustrations add to the humour and charm. The scenes have a classic storybook feel reminiscent of the Rupert Bear series, where animals dress smartly, explore new places, and mix everyday life with gentle fantasy. Once George arrives at the farm, there are plenty of lively details for children aged 3+ to discover alongside an older reader, while the reading age is suggested as 6+. The book also opens discussions about the differences between city and country living, and the new experiences a weekend away can offer. With its lively rhymes and amusing spreads, George Goes to the Farm celebrates the fun you can have when giving a helping hand.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Jess Lomas is reviews editor for Books+Publishing. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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