A Drive in the Country

by Michael J. Rosen, Marc Burckhardt (Illustrator)

Climb in for the perfect road trip! Farm visits and foraging in the fields, car games and silly songs — what better way for a family to spend the day?

The car has been stocked with drinks and snacks, maps and joke books, treats for horses and ducks — and now it’s time for three kids, two parents, and one excited dog to set off on that most favorite day trip, a drive in the country. The destination? Oh, here, there, and home again, with a fresh appreciation of family togetherness. Michael J. Rosen’s lyrical, nostalgic text and Marc Burckhardt’s whimsical illustrations are sure to encourage armchair travelers to come along for the ride.

Genres: Picture Books, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 28, 2007

About the author

Rosen's Website should provide all this and more. It's http://www.fidosopher.com.
Nonetheless: Michael J. Rosen is an American author and illustrator with over 120 books of fiction, nonfiction, humor, picture books, poetry, and more. With a strong interest in nature and animals, reflecting his animal behavior degree from Ohio State University, Rosen resides within a peaceful crease of Central Ohio with his pack of animal companions that include 2 small koi ponds he helped build on the 100 acres he shares in the foothills of the Ohio Appalachians. An avid dog lover, he was inspired by Chant, his newest Australian stumpy-tail cattle dog, which led to the creation of his newest book of fiction, The Tale of Rescue, which will be released in October 2015. With an MFA in poetry from Columbia University, Rosen also showcases his skills and talents in other projects such as The Maine Coon’s Haiku: And Other Poems for Cat Lovers (2015).

Reviews

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok story of a family going for a car ride in the country.

Jasper (3yo) was a little befuddled by the illustrations (he thought all of the family were wearing lipstick).

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Samuel (4) was dying to hear this story because the car and road on the cover caught his attention. The art is wonderful-- sort of a cross between folk art and heiroglyphics (how do I explain why I think that???-- oh, the jacket cover calls it "the style of 19th century American primitive artists with a modern graphic twist"). I'll keep an eye out for Burckhardt's art.

Rosen's details throughout the narrative are brilliant, like the "piccalilli (whatever that is)" in the country store and hunting for buckeyes and Osage oranges. One detail, though, killed the magic for me: the mother feeding Sweet n' Low to a horse. Uhg.

I plan to look up some other books by this author, and when I read the dust jacket, I realized that we had read his Elijah's Angel, a moving story which won the National Jewish Book Award.

[Sarah Hannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was very aesthetic. The illustrations were bright and depicted the story in words on the same page. A Drive in the Country illustrates the story of a boy who goes on a road trip with his family just for the day to enjoy each other's company. I think this is an appropriate book for second grade because the students would be able to understand some of the main ideas but perhaps need assistance with a few of the individual words such as "destination" or "coasting." After telling this story we could discuss traveling and the importance of spending time with your family.

[Janae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure it will be a crowd pleaser with kids, but I really like the story. A family piles into a car and takes a road trip to nowhere for the day. They stop and observe things, get special treats, and just enjoy each other's company. W was very attentive while I read it, but his Dad and I probably enjoyed it more.

[Lorraine Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book can be used for:
- demonstrates how to make a list/sequence of items in sentences
- Great illustrations that link to text
- Use of semi-colon
- Creative ways to craft the structure of the text (winding road)

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

captures the feeling of a road trip with family. for older kids who can relate to the experience. not good readaloud for little kids---too many words.

[Samantha Penrose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea of the book, but it missed the mark. The illustrations are nice but the story is a little awkward to read...it sort of rambles on and on like an excited, motor-mouth child would.

[Susan]

Way too wordy for my 3 year old, but probably great for a kindergartner.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the concept and the story, but not the primitive illustrations (all side perspective with no detail).

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet family story. My favorite line is on the last page. The only place they wanted to go was Together. It's a wonderful story of family togetherness.