We're Going on a Picnic!

Three farm animals - Hen, Duck, and Goose - plan to go on a picnic together. They pack their baskets with fresh food they've gathered and set off down the trail. The friends encounter challenges and distractions during their journey to find the perfect picnic spot. Each animal carries their own basket of collected treats as they make their way through various landscapes. Along the path, things don't go according to the animals' original plans, leading to an unexpected outcome for their picnic adventure. The story follows their journey and responses to the situations they face. The book explores themes of friendship, sharing, and how plans can change in surprising ways. The narrative demonstrates that flexibility and companionship matter more than perfect execution.

Readers describe this children's book as engaging for toddlers and preschoolers, with simple rhyming text that encourages participation. Parents and teachers note that children enjoy: - The repetitive phrases that let kids read along - The search-and-find element of spotting hidden animals - Illustrations that provide opportunities to count and identify colors Common criticisms include: - Story feels basic compared to other Schertle books - Some find it less memorable than her "Little Blue Truck" series - A few mention their kids losing interest after several readings Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (168 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (81 ratings) One preschool teacher wrote: "Perfect for teaching sequencing and memory skills. My class asks for it weekly." A parent noted: "The illustrations could be more detailed to hold attention during repeated readings." Barnes & Noble reviews highlight its use as a classroom read-aloud for ages 2-5.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle This picture book features repetitive text and colorful animals in a similar pattern to the picnic story's cumulative structure.

Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough The story follows animals on a journey with rhyming text and builds to a conclusion like the picnic adventure.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen The book uses a repetitive structure and follows a group on an outdoor adventure with obstacles to overcome.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson This tale presents a mouse meeting different animals in sequence with rhyming text and a similar cumulative storytelling style.

Over in the Meadow by Olive A. Wadsworth The traditional counting rhyme features animals in nature and uses repetitive patterns that mirror the picnic story's structure.

🌞 Author Alice Schertle has written over 40 children's books, including the beloved "Little Blue Truck" series. 🧺 This book celebrates the classic children's game of hide-and-seek while teaching young readers about sharing and cooperation. 🐰 The story features three farm animal friends: Hen, Duck, and Goose, who each try to keep the picnic treats for themselves. 🌸 The book incorporates counting elements as the animals collect different amounts of strawberries, blueberries, and pears along their journey. 🎨 The illustrations by Emily Arnold McCully use soft, watercolor techniques to create a gentle pastoral setting that young children find especially appealing.