Do you like chocolate baas? What about quackers and moovies? Well, you’ll find them all at the Farm Shop. Kirelle and her best friend, Sam, a very wise cat, visit the Farm Shop and communicate with the vendors: the sheep who sell chocolate baas, the ducks who sell quackers and the cows who sell moovies. The only problem is Kirelle only has so much money in her pocket. She wants to buy something special for her mummy and daddy and for Sam, too. But that uses up all her money and she has nothing left to buy something for herself. But that’s okay; Kirelle has something even better to take home from the Farm Shop.

Devon Avery’s picture book story, The Farm Shop, is a sweet story about a little girl, her cat, and the fun time she has visiting the animal vendors at the Farm Shop. The plot moves along carefully, the dialogue including lots of onomatopoeia, sound words like ‘baa’, ‘quack’, and ‘moo.’ Kirelle is very adept at communicating with the animals and she’s always so polite, remembering her manners, saying ‘excuse me’ to move past some of the animals and saying ‘thank you’ after each purchase, sometimes using animal speak to relay her gratitude. The illustrations are lovely – soothing in pastel colors. The most powerful message of this story is the little girl realizing and sharing what really matters most: it’s not what you can get out of life, but what you give to life. Beautifully told.

The Farm Shop by Devon Avery is a 51-page-long children’s illustrated story about Kirelle, Sam, and a variety of farm animals in a barn. Sam, a very wise cat, invites Kirelle to the Farm Shop, a place where barnyard animals buy and sell goods to one another. Kirelle has some money, and she wants to buy some presents for her own family and Sam. What follows is a great lesson in selflessness. The story is excellent, but I think the artwork really carries this story. There is so much detail and color, so much artistic soft mood presented, and it greatly emphasizes the gentle tone created by the story’s words. The story is targeted toward younger readers, say 4 to 6, and it will pull them in and inspire them to read the story again and again.

Kirelle shows maturity probably beyond the typical age of her readers in that she thinks of others before herself. This is a well-placed lesson within the story, allowing Kirelle to lead by example, not by making mistakes first and learning by them. Nor is it preachy in any way. It is one of those books where you will want to pause on each page and drink in the excellent art and story, pointing out to the younger ones the things they may miss if they read too quickly. The Farm Shop by Devon Avery gives the reader a bit of fantasy, a good story, and great artwork, making a winning combination. Recommended.

Outstanding illustrations will draw children into The Farm Shop, while the animal onomatopoeia sounds will keep them entertained. Children love books with sounds like a sheep saying “baa,” or a cat saying “meow.” Author Devon Avery is very imaginative with cows selling moovies, sheep selling chocolate baas, and ducks selling quackers. Kirelle, the main character, is very caring and gives gifts to others before thinking of herself—choosing the longest-lasting gift. Will her thoughtfulness inspire children to give to others first? We’ll all be immersed in a farm tour seeing animals and hearing what sounds they make. I think teachers and school libraries will find this book interesting for kindergarten classes. Parents and teachers will be reminded of terms used in the book; “What is a group of cows called?”

Children will enjoy the warm artwork of The Farm Shop. Illustrator Ema Tepic provides wonderful, full-page watercolor paintings with soft pastel colors that accurately depict the farm and the animals. I like the little mouse with a shopping cart hidden in a picture … I wonder if children will see it, too? There are 52 pages of images for children to enjoy. Imaginative author Devon Avery takes us on a tour of a farm to see and hear animals. This book has a subtle interactive element—the animals make sounds, which children can duplicate. I love all the animal puns and parents will, too. Maybe they can even act like an animal! Kirelle and the animals are very polite and provide a wonderful example. What do you think you will see in The Farm Shop? Join us for an adventurous tale.

Devon Avery has authored a delightful little book called The Farm Shop. Your young child(ren) will love you reading this book to them. To increase their enjoyment, and yours, get your children involved by making the various sounds of the different animals found at the farm shop. The illustrations by Ema Tepic will draw your youngster's attention. This book can open so many learning opportunities for you to share with your child(ren). As you read to your audience, let your imagination soar. Interacting can continue by you adding other animals and things for sale at the shop. Settle down, snuggle up with your child(ren), and enjoy an evening of animal fantasy and storytelling. Children tend to love animals and this book has some charming animals that any child would love.

Devon Avery has authored a great children's book in The Farm Shop. Children love farm animals and stories involving them. Your child(ren) will delight in having you read this charming little book to them. Kirelle and her cat, Sam, take a walk and end up in a large barn with all sorts of farm animals who have set up shop. They are selling to various animals. You and your child(ren) will enjoy making the animal sounds as you read the book. Devon has developed his story by giving human traits to the animals. The reading is simple enough for your child(ren) to read some of the words. This book will give you some important quality time with your offspring as you enjoy exploring the animals that live on a farm.