Nair captures the growing cacophony in exuberant digital illustrations colored in bold jewel tones and outlined in rough strokes of brown...Enlarged, color-coded type helps emphasizes the onomatopoeia that fills a buoyant cumulative story that, in addition to being just plain fun, may leave readers curious to learn more about the rural Indian setting. An original, delightfully entertaining, and highly recommended picture book for children ages 5 to 7, 'Farmer Falgu Goes to the Market' will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to family, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections I love the simple story, told in simple declarative sentences, enhanced with onomatopoeia and typeface in different colors and designs. The deeply colored illustrations are bold and vivid, outlined in brown and evoke the warmth and color of India. This sweet story would work for story times and could be a welcome addition to multicultural units for ages 3-5 yrs. When life breaks your eggs, make omelets! The story's titular protagonist is an adult, brown-skinned Indian farmer who is taking his eggs and produce to the market on an ox cart but has to improvise when the ride turns bumpy. Unexpected potholes, heedless ducks, and speeding trucks cause Farmer Falgu's produce to topple and the eggs to crack. Should he go back home, or can he find a way to turn things around? While the story has a valuable lesson, it seems contrived in many respects. Despite the cracks, Farmer Falgu's eggs survive long enough for him to make a mass of crowd-pleasing omelets, and a stove magically appears when he needs one. Also, one wonders how many farmers in present-day Rajasthan travel in an ox cart to sell eggs, but perhaps some do. Similar to series opener Farmer Falgu Goes on a Trip(2016), the concise onomatopoeic sounds are in bigger and color-coded type, which provides additional emphasis and is perfect for read-alouds. The bold, thick-outlined illustrations are engaging, but they provide only a narrow reflection of rural India. The story itself has some cracks, but it has both a good moral lesson and likely appeal for young kids. (Picture book. 4-7) Everyone knows what to do when life gives you lemons, but Farmer Falgu has a delightful new alternative. One thing after another goes awry on his way to the market. Broad outlines and bold colors join a riot of expressive exclamations as exotic Indian sights, sounds, and smells sizzle, honk, bump, and dunk along the road with an optimistically determined Falgu and his oxen until they finally reach their destination, rumpled wares and all. The vibrant illustrations, full of colour and life, offer the reader a glimpse of the everyday life of those who live in India. The simple plots offer lots of opportunities for joining in and for adding musical accompaniments whilst showing us the best qualities of this gentle man... [I] really look forward to seeing where Farmer Falgu's adventures will take him next!--North Somerset Teacher's Book Award
