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Picnic
One day Boy and Girl go out for a picnic. They meet all sorts of creatures along the way – some come with them and some chase them, but whatever happens, today will be a day for Adventure!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
John Burningham
163 books106 followershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bur...
Married to Helen Oxenbury They have one son and two daughters.
John Burningham was born in 1936 in Farnham, Surrey, and attended the alternative school, Summerhill. In 1954 he spent two years travelling through Italy, Yugoslavia and Israel, working at a variety of jobs.
From 1956-1959, he studied at the Central School of Art, after which he designed posters for London Transport and the British Transport Commission. He also spent a year on an animated puppet film in the Middle East. He then became a writer and illustrator of children's books, his first book, Borka: The Adventures of a Goose With No Feathers (1963) winning the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1963, an achievement he repeated with Mr Gumpy's Outing (1970).
Since then, he has written and illustrated many children's books. He is also a freelance designer of murals, exhibitions models, magazine illustrations and advertisements.
Married to Helen Oxenbury They have one son and two daughters.
John Burningham was born in 1936 in Farnham, Surrey, and attended the alternative school, Summerhill. In 1954 he spent two years travelling through Italy, Yugoslavia and Israel, working at a variety of jobs.
From 1956-1959, he studied at the Central School of Art, after which he designed posters for London Transport and the British Transport Commission. He also spent a year on an animated puppet film in the Middle East. He then became a writer and illustrator of children's books, his first book, Borka: The Adventures of a Goose With No Feathers (1963) winning the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1963, an achievement he repeated with Mr Gumpy's Outing (1970).
Since then, he has written and illustrated many children's books. He is also a freelance designer of murals, exhibitions models, magazine illustrations and advertisements.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 20, 2022
A simple story about a boy and girl going for a picnic. Aimed at the very young, the reader is invited to spot lost items and join in with the story. Ends happily with the picnic goers going to bed and the reader being invited to find their own too!
June 3, 2019
Boy and Girl head down the hill from their house, on their way to the titular picnic in this simple picture-book, meeting Sheep, Pig and Duck along the way and inviting them to join the fun. A number of adventures ensue, from being chased by a bull to hunting for the various items that different individuals lose. At each stage the narrator invites the reader/listener to help find what is lost or hiding.
With signature John Burningham illustrations, done in what looks to be watercolor - this artist's rather sketchy artwork always reminds me of other British artists like Quentin Blake and Tony Ross - and a simple text of no more than a sentence per page, Picnic is a title aimed at younger children. As always, I appreciated the fact that Burningham isn't afraid of white spaces on his page - so many contemporary artists seem to feel the need to overload their illustrations - and enjoyed the quirky sense of humor that he demonstrates through his artwork. I also appreciated the fact that the narrative here attempts to involve the child reader in an interactive experience. All that said, despite its good qualities, I found the narrative here rather pedestrian, with a series of declarative sentences that reminded me of nothing so much as an old Dick and Jane book. Altogether, a mixed bag, one I would recommend primarily to determined Burningham fans.
With signature John Burningham illustrations, done in what looks to be watercolor - this artist's rather sketchy artwork always reminds me of other British artists like Quentin Blake and Tony Ross - and a simple text of no more than a sentence per page, Picnic is a title aimed at younger children. As always, I appreciated the fact that Burningham isn't afraid of white spaces on his page - so many contemporary artists seem to feel the need to overload their illustrations - and enjoyed the quirky sense of humor that he demonstrates through his artwork. I also appreciated the fact that the narrative here attempts to involve the child reader in an interactive experience. All that said, despite its good qualities, I found the narrative here rather pedestrian, with a series of declarative sentences that reminded me of nothing so much as an old Dick and Jane book. Altogether, a mixed bag, one I would recommend primarily to determined Burningham fans.
April 1, 2015
Can not praise this book enough. My daughter fell asleep while I was reading it! Awesome!! I can't remember what it was about, but then, neither can she!
June 11, 2015
Intended to be a bedtime book, it will put readers to sleep.
February 29, 2016
Simple, but good.
September 17, 2018
Picnic was about a boy and a girl who wanted to go on a picnic. They ran into a sheep, a pig, and a duck. When everyone was trying to find a spot to have a picnic, they saw a bull and had to hide from it. After this, the animals started losing their belongings, and the book would ask the readers if they could find the missing item. Eventually, they all found a spot to have a picnic. Then they played games and finally, they all had a sleepover at the boy and girl's house.
I really liked the illustrations in this book. I thought they were fun, and I also liked how interactive the book was. It would be fun to hold the book up to my class and ask them to find the missing items of the animals. However, I did not really like the storyline of the book. It was all over the place and I don't think my students would learn a ton from reading this.
I really liked the illustrations in this book. I thought they were fun, and I also liked how interactive the book was. It would be fun to hold the book up to my class and ask them to find the missing items of the animals. However, I did not really like the storyline of the book. It was all over the place and I don't think my students would learn a ton from reading this.
October 16, 2017
Good for younger readers, as JB engages them with a question, as to where the ball is, for instance and they have to find the answer in the picture. I liked the way he names the animals, just pig, duck etc without the definite article, makes them seem like friends you know, which they obviously are in this story. Bull seems to be the naughty one - he is not part of the gang, as he tries to scupper their team ideas by trying to chase them. Sounds like the playground!
March 9, 2018
Yuck. Boring story, weird pictures, didn't like this at all.
November 30, 2018
My kids love this one. It is so interactive.
May 17, 2019
A simple picture book featuring a boy and a girl who go on a picnic with animals. A few simple hide and seek elements are in play.
November 13, 2020
A nice interactive book, where children are able to find missing items in the pictures and get involved in conversations about the book.
September 19, 2022
A simple picnic quickly turns into an adventure with lost hats, chasing bulls, and a good nights sleep.
December 10, 2022
I really like John Burningham. This is a great bedtime book for really little kids. I love his pig in this book.
September 14, 2013
Picnic is a typical John Burningham picturebook. Like Burningham's bestselling The Shopping Basket and Mr Gumpy's Outing, Picnic has a simple text. And of course there are the illustrations. Inimitable and immediately recognisable, Burningham's drawings are famous within genre (Raymond Briggs says they are 'completely original' works). I must admit I'm not a huge fan of John Burningham's style, although children seem to be drawn to his books and they are always hugely popular at the nursery where I work.
The tale of 'boy' and 'girl' setting off on (surprise surprise) a picnic, the story tells of their encounters with animals that have a tendency to lose things. The reader is then asked to spot the lost item in the picture. However, this isn't a Where's Wally? type of book. As Picnic is aimed at pre-schoolers, the lost items are easy to find, and I would say the book is more an introduction to basic vocabulary than a test of children's observational skills.
Picnic is a lovely book to read with young children at the end of the day. As the characters go to bed at the end of the story it is ideal for bedtime, and is a calm and pleasant read.
Most suitable for children aged 1-4.
The tale of 'boy' and 'girl' setting off on (surprise surprise) a picnic, the story tells of their encounters with animals that have a tendency to lose things. The reader is then asked to spot the lost item in the picture. However, this isn't a Where's Wally? type of book. As Picnic is aimed at pre-schoolers, the lost items are easy to find, and I would say the book is more an introduction to basic vocabulary than a test of children's observational skills.
Picnic is a lovely book to read with young children at the end of the day. As the characters go to bed at the end of the story it is ideal for bedtime, and is a calm and pleasant read.
Most suitable for children aged 1-4.
August 10, 2016
In Picnic, Boy and Girl decide to go on a picnic. On the way they meet up with Sheep, Pig and Duck, so they invite them along. Unfortunately, Bull intervenes and chases all of them causing them to scatter and hide. When it seems safe to come out, the friends meet up for an afternoon of fun and games. After a day of food and fun Boy and Girl invite their animal friends back to their house for a sleepover which makes for a perfect ending to their day.
This book was awfully cute. The book is interactive in style encouraging little ones to identify various animals and objects. Where is the missing ball, scarf? --- Who is sleeping in what bed etc.? The illustrations are nice and bold, the text is just the right length for little ones, and the font is nice and large as well. A good book to read to your special little ones, especially at bedtime.
This book was awfully cute. The book is interactive in style encouraging little ones to identify various animals and objects. Where is the missing ball, scarf? --- Who is sleeping in what bed etc.? The illustrations are nice and bold, the text is just the right length for little ones, and the font is nice and large as well. A good book to read to your special little ones, especially at bedtime.
April 25, 2016
I'm not really sure about this book. Although, upon opening you can tell that this book is by Burningham owing to the unfinished looking/sketch like illustrations. This book is a story about children going on a picnic who are joined by animals, similar to other books of Burningham's, such as Mr Gumpys Outing and The Way to The Zoo.
The only part of this book I really liked was in parts of the book the text encouraged the reader to engage the children to participate in this book, which I think is really good. Otherwise, I didn't really get the point of this story. Not one I would personally use with children, although others may really enjoy this book, but it just wasn't for me.
The only part of this book I really liked was in parts of the book the text encouraged the reader to engage the children to participate in this book, which I think is really good. Otherwise, I didn't really get the point of this story. Not one I would personally use with children, although others may really enjoy this book, but it just wasn't for me.
January 23, 2015
Boy and Girl meet their friends Sheep, Pig and Duck for a picnic but must run and hide from Bull. After evading Bull the friends lose items which the reader is invited to find. After a day of searching they finally enjoy their picnic in the perfect spot. Simple painted illustrations provide enough detail to enjoy and enough white space to maintain the restful, gentle tone of this lovely understated story. The straightforward storyline has enough interaction to engage audiences and is clear enough for very young readers. Highly recommended for all library collections.
July 8, 2014
Too simple for me, I needed more emotion to make me care about the characters, what they did and why they did it.
A boy and a girl (never named) go for a picninc with a few animal friends. Along the way the groups loses various articles and the reader is challenged to find them.
Painted artwork is evocative of classic nursery rhyme imagery, but this story just falls flat for me. PreK-2.
A boy and a girl (never named) go for a picninc with a few animal friends. Along the way the groups loses various articles and the reader is challenged to find them.
Painted artwork is evocative of classic nursery rhyme imagery, but this story just falls flat for me. PreK-2.
May 5, 2014
Boy and Girl and various animal friends head off on a picnic only to have their plans interrupted by a bull. It's a lovely outing despite the bull's antics, and the friends are exhausted and ready for bed by the end of the day. The illustrations, rendered in paint, highlight the uniqueness of each character. While I am glad to see a new title by this talented author/illustrator, this one lacks the appeal of some of his earlier outings--at least for me.
May 26, 2014
This is a very simple story of two children and their animal friends having a picnic together. They get chased by a bull, but manage to evade him. Then each of the animals loses a precious object but eventually find them (the reader is invited to help in the search). The picnic is a success, and then everyone goes home to rest.
Burningham has a very child-like artistic style that is quite appealing. This is a good choice for reading aloud to youngsters.
Burningham has a very child-like artistic style that is quite appealing. This is a good choice for reading aloud to youngsters.
June 10, 2014
It's extremely simple,and that's why this picture book performs well with the under 5 set. It's not on the level of Burnigham's other excellent books, but it's still solid for the audience. Be warned, young readers will insist on revisiting the idea of that mean bull coming back for the whole book.
September 13, 2014
Burmingham, J. (2013) Picnic. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.
Starred Kirkus Review
Choice
I enjoyed this book because of the simple, light, and easy read. It is a great story to read right before nap time, or to recognize letters and words when teaching literacy. I would recommend this book for very beginning readers, or for teachers to read aloud in pre-K and Kindergarten classes.
Starred Kirkus Review
Choice
I enjoyed this book because of the simple, light, and easy read. It is a great story to read right before nap time, or to recognize letters and words when teaching literacy. I would recommend this book for very beginning readers, or for teachers to read aloud in pre-K and Kindergarten classes.
January 8, 2016
What a fun book! I'm dreaming of summer, which I am not even find of, because these picnics sound so glorious. And, while I like the idea of picnics in the nearby parks... I know that I am more likely to be in my own backyard.
I got this book from the library, but want one of my own as well as one for my best friends!
I got this book from the library, but want one of my own as well as one for my best friends!
December 13, 2025
Very basic story, nothing too remarkable, but light and easy for a younger storytime audience. I did like how some interactive questions were built into the story. Engagement with the page is always a plus. Not exactly a "healthy food" read as tagged, but still a simple one to add in for our Snack & Story program. Picnics as an activity easily tie in to storytimes on food and friends.
February 18, 2015
Two children are joined by their friends, a duck, sheep and a pig when they go on a picnic. They scatter in the woods after being chased by a bull and the book becomes interactive. "Can you find...?" The simple line drawings and the story ending will make this a bedtime favorite. Reviewer 6.
August 9, 2014
Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=3702
What a fun picture book for summer! I also really like how the author makes the reader part of the story and asks the reader questions. It will definitely make children love this book even more.
What a fun picture book for summer! I also really like how the author makes the reader part of the story and asks the reader questions. It will definitely make children love this book even more.
July 1, 2014
the idea of this book seems nice, but the illustrations are a bit weird. Also the scene with the other animals trying to hide from bull without explanation seems a bit "racial" and sad, not keeping with today's inclusiveness.
July 30, 2016
This book doesn't exactly flow and it isn't terribly elegant (which is just fine) but the art work is understandable to any kid because it looks like a child drew it. The words are all understandable to young children too. I could see this making an excellent flannel board.
July 13, 2014
Burningham' s books usually hold such promise, and that is what makes this book so disappointing.
Nice understandable illustrations, but the story line is abysmal.
maybe children will find it enjoyable, but most adult readers will wonder why they are wasting their time reading Picnic.
Nice understandable illustrations, but the story line is abysmal.
maybe children will find it enjoyable, but most adult readers will wonder why they are wasting their time reading Picnic.
August 14, 2014
this was okay, but i could use it for many of my programs which is why i gave it 3 stars instead of 2. really can't believe this book was given such a high rating....? kids will like the interaction and searching for the lost items, but the story and illustrations aren't that great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews