Review of 'Mosey's Field' by Barbara Lockhart

Description

Mosey, a long-legged, lumbering kind of dog, has a napping place in the middle of a corn field, but when the plow comes through, followed later by the planter, Mosey can no longer find his spot. As the corn grows, Mosey's adventures in the field include exploring tunnels in the corn rows, chasing rabbits, finding relief from the summer’s heat, and, at the end of the season, experiencing the terrifying (to him) appearance of a combine. Mosey's Field illuminates the beauty of the rural landscape, the change in seasons, and the progression of agricultural methods. While Mosey continues the search for his special place, children are not only connected to the environment, but the important concept of where food comes from. Early Reader; Ages 5-8.


**My thoughts**

I love the watercolor illustrations in this book. Mosey is adorable! They also elicit memories of visiting my family's farms when I was a child.

The story is told from the point of view of the dog, who can't figure out why his favorite napping place in the field keeps on changing. The back story ends up being the cycle of corn: how it is planted, grows, and then is harvested. It can serve as an introduction to farming and corn, and even has a page at the end that provides further information. 

I know for me, the first time I read it, I focused more on the dog and his story about his napping place. The second time through, I was able to pay more attention to what was happening with the corn in the field. I think that children may also miss the story of the corn the first time through, as they will be more focused on the dog. Repeated readings, plus some discussion, will bring the story of the corn more to the forefront.

I would still add this book to my library when studying farms, food, seasons, or from where things come. It is a cute story.  

I received an eARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Buy links: Amazon \ Barnes & Noble \ Schiffer Publishing

Barbara Lockhart, a retired kindergarten teacher, lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland where she's been watching fields for years. Heather Crow is an award-winning artist and art teacher. She lives in Easton, Maryland.