Having a Picnic

Having/Doing/Going Family

by Sarah Garland

Two children, their mother, and their dog go to the park for a picnic, but are unexpectedly joined by some univited guests.

Genres: Picture Books

Hardcover

First published July 5, 1984

About the author

There is more than one author with this name.

Sarah Garland has written and illustrated over forty picture books and adventure stories for young children. She is best known for her warm and witty portrayals of family relationships, and for her outstanding work for preschool picture books.

She lives in the beautiful village of Chedworth in the Cotswolds with
her husband, artist David Garland.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favourite from my childrens early years. Mum, two young children and their dog go for a picnic. It would have been easy to tell the story of a perfect picnic, lovely weather, countryside and flowers but we love the way this is an everyday scene with a mum taking her children to the local park for lunch. The weather is cold and they sit in their coats but they've got outside for some fesh air and some days you just have to make the best of it ! They all get home at the end of their excursion dishevelled and tired. A nice look into a young families day to day life.

[Sue Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sarah Garland's books. Funny, true to family life, perfect for young children to recognise and identify.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huh. Without Hilary's appreciative review, I would be truly baffled by this family's determination to have their excursion. But it's probably the best opportunity they've had in a while, as Hilary says. I'm not crazy about the art style and won't hunt down more from the series, but I'm glad to have read it.

One note, though... the hill reminds me an awful lot of the one in Oscar's Half Birthday. Is this how city parks are developed in England? Or is it the actual same park? Or coincidence? Hmm.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect example of why you don't need only phonic-based reading books for young children in order to read as well as the power of discussion with pictures. I love anything Garland puts together and this very simple story, with its simple language is perfect for the early reader.
From one endpaper to the other, Garland takes a small family on a trip from the house to the field and then back again. Almost in the same vein as Rosie's Walk. What I love about the book is that every page counts. Even on the title page, we see mum getting the dog ready for the walk by putting on his lead so that when the narrative begins in terms of the words on the page, the family are ready to go.
Each page has only three or four words with some of the sentences continuing on to the following page and urging the reader to turn too. As with all Garland's work, there is plenty to observe in the background and this style reminded me much of Shirley Hughes whose observations are so rich. As with Rosie, there is plenty of play between words and pictures.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cracker featuring our favourite pointy nosed dog, and plenty of ducks and birds. Enjoyed a great deal at 17 months.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love how these books are so much like real life. They are all wrapped up for the picnic on a dull windy day and they are all shattered at the end of it!

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, liked the views over the city and the horrible day they chose, just like our picnics. A real family.