Chester and Uncle Willoughby (1987) by Patricia Kier Edwards illustrated by Diane WorfolkAllison is forty-eight numbered pages. A young child and elderly man sit on the large front porch of a farmhouse in the middle of a countryside. The book has four sections with chapter headings. In " Songs", Chester and Uncle Willoughby make-up lyrics for the familiar tune, "My Country Tis of Thee". American children will have fun playing this musical game. "The Game" is a guessing game in which Uncle Willoughby and Chester take turns asking one another questions like, "What would you do if there was an alligator in your bed?" The section titled "Nothing" is a change in mood. The characters consider what life would be like in the absence of the ordinary and the special. In "Sunny Afternoon", Chester and Uncle Willoughby look at the vast landscape and locate the colors of nature.
This is a beautiful book for an elderly adult and child to share. It reminds me of How To Babysit a Grandma by Diane Woolfolk in its goal; however, Allison's illustrations are soft pastels that create a less frantic feel on a farm. This isn't a story about how many different activities can be packed into a short amount of time. Chester and Uncle Willoughby have no props or craft supplies. They just enjoy the present during a relaxed afternoon on the porch.
Smarty246 has Word scramble for kids about the countryside. Bethany Morton has Wildlife and Countryside Powerpoint (UK).
