Best (Worst) Farmer Ever
Best (Worst) Farmer Ever
Pat Cummins & Michael Wagner
Louis Shea
HarperCollins, 2025
24pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99
9781460764749
Farmer Pat and his son Albie are ready for a great day on the farm. They don’t have a specific plan but, “If you keep your eyes open you’ll always find something to do!” Farmer Pat tells Albie. Sure enough, it’s not long before they spot a hole in the fence where the cows have broken through -again. It’s not the first time but clearly the previous mends using sticky tape and then the big pieces of bark or even the glued-together ice block sticks haven’t worked. But Farmer Pat has a better idea this time…
Next up, Albie spots the leaky drinking trough for the sheep, and again, his dad has a cunning plan -as he does for turning the old boat into a treehouse and stopping the birds from eating the apples…
This is a very funny book for young readers written by new-dad and apprentice-farmer Pat Cummins (who also happens to be the captain of the current Australian cricket team – and keen eyes will pick out the references in the illustrations.) Despite his ingenious eco-friendly solutions, they aren’t as successful as he would have hoped -although he is oblivious to what’s happening and readers will LOL at the pictures which reveal what is really happening. The humour, detail and energy will appeal as they spot things going on behind Farmer Pat’s back that Albie also sees even if his dad doesn’t.
But, it is the relationship that is building between father and son that is the most important thing – dads might not always get it right but they are doing their best. Even if things go a bit awry, it’s the time and working together that are special and create the foundation for the future. It’s based on Cummins’ own experiences as he tries his hand at farming and at being a dad (Albie is now four) and together with Wagner they have created a story that is authentic and heart-warming that most kids with a bit of a goofy dad will relate to as they enjoy sharing their own experiences.