John Burningham, over a 50-year career, has both written and illustrated more than 30 picture books. He has also illustrated the work of Kenneth Grahame and Ian Fleming. In this simple but elegant children's book, a boy and a girl who live in a house on top of the hill decide to go on a picnic. They invite Sheep, Pig, and Duck at the bottom of the hill to go with them.
A series of interruptions throw them off course. A bull chases them and they are forced to hide in the woods. Sheep's hat blows away in the wind, and Pig's ball gets away from him and lands in a pond. Then Duck loses his scarf. All of these diversions make them very hungry. They eat in silence and play games until it is time to go home.
Burningham has factored into this story things for young readers to do and to look for. This interactive style works well here. Picnic is designed for children from 2 through 5 years of age.
