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Four Legs Bad, Two Legs Good!
On No-Man Farm, Orvie rules. What makes that lazy pig the farmer? Orvie can walk on two legs. And that makes him better than all the other animals. All except Duck. “I have two legs, Orvie. Can I be the farmer now?” she asks.
“You’re too little, Duck,” says Orvie. “You can’t do BIG work.” “I can do BIG work!” Duck says. More like BIG MISCHIEF! Award-winning author and illustrator D. B. Johnson adds a lively new chapter to George Orwell’s classic Animal Farm. This time, a duck brings a joyful transformation to the farm—and to Orvie! In this picture book, as well as the ones he has written about Henry David Thoreau, D. B. Johnson continues, with simplicity and humor, to draw children to the complex ideas in great works of literature.
“You’re too little, Duck,” says Orvie. “You can’t do BIG work.” “I can do BIG work!” Duck says. More like BIG MISCHIEF! Award-winning author and illustrator D. B. Johnson adds a lively new chapter to George Orwell’s classic Animal Farm. This time, a duck brings a joyful transformation to the farm—and to Orvie! In this picture book, as well as the ones he has written about Henry David Thoreau, D. B. Johnson continues, with simplicity and humor, to draw children to the complex ideas in great works of literature.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 19, 2023
This is not "a brilliant and hilarious version of Animal Farm for children," as described in the blurb. Its definitely derived from Animal Farm, but incorporating none of the ideas that makes that book great, what's the point? Apart from the amusing illustrations, its a load of farmyard bullsh*t.
The story starts with Farmer Orvie, a lazy pig who walks on two legs, not wanting to either give up or share his position as Farmer with the duck, a two-legged creature who thinks he should share this two-legs good power. Eventually the pig is deposed and under the benevolent rule of Farmer Duck, the animals all have fun. Or perhaps the author of this version of Animal Farm is a dyed-in-the-wool Marxist and thinks we would all really live happily ever after under theauthoritarian benevolent rule of all the various Marxist identity groups currently infesting Western politics?
Perhaps it is Orwellian after all.
The story starts with Farmer Orvie, a lazy pig who walks on two legs, not wanting to either give up or share his position as Farmer with the duck, a two-legged creature who thinks he should share this two-legs good power. Eventually the pig is deposed and under the benevolent rule of Farmer Duck, the animals all have fun. Or perhaps the author of this version of Animal Farm is a dyed-in-the-wool Marxist and thinks we would all really live happily ever after under the
Perhaps it is Orwellian after all.
December 30, 2007
I remember the first time I saw this book. It was at an American Libraries Association meeting and I was strolling leisurely through the Houghton Mifflin booth on the convention floor. The order in which I noticed this book went through the following thought process: 1. Colors pretty. Oh look! It's D.B. Johnson. The guy who does those nutty Henry David Thoreau in bear form picture books. That's interesting. 2. The title. It appears to be "Four Legs Bad, Two Legs Good!". 3. Huh. 4. There is a pig on the cover. 5. Huh. 6. Oh my God. He didn't . . .
But in fact, ladies and gentlemen, he did. Yes, D.B. Johnson has given us an Animal Farm inspired bit of barnyard mayhem for the preschool set that is just the weirdest l'il ole creation ever to saunter down the pike. Filled with sly allusions and a plot that doesn't quite pull together, it's a great idea that didn't quite fulfill its picture book promise. I appreciate the in-jokes, but it takes more than shout-outs to make a book of this sort really work.
On a farm there are five animals. A horse, a cow, a goat, a duck, and a pig. The pig, as it happens, is named Orvie and he wears the boots. And since he can walk on two legs rather than four he is better than everyone else and gets to be the farmer. Duck quickly sees the flaw in this logic and points out to Orvie that she too has two legs. When confronted, Orvie claims that because he can do hard work, he is more worthy than duck to be the farmer. And when she pulls up all the weeds in the farm, Orvie pooh-poohs her efforts and proclaims that that isn't really BIG work. In response, Duck empties the pond in the middle of the night. When the other animals see what she has done they chase her for the plug, which she leaves back in the bottom of the pond. Everyone else splashes through the mud to get to her, but Orvie gets stuck, having only his two feet to walk on. That's when everyone gets together to pull him out (leaving the boots behind) and they discover that when it comes to legs, "18 Legs Best!" The book ends with nobody doing any work and Duck painting the new slogan on the barn.
I took a couple reads of this book to determine if it was a sequel to "Animal Farm" (as the decorations on the side of the barn would suggest), a prequel, or a story that is just influenced by Orwell's tale but doesn't really contain the same characters. I had to go with the last of these since the animals didn't really match up with those left alive at the end of "Animal Farm". Once I had that established I tried to forget everything I knew about Orwell's story to assess whether or not Johnson's tale stood on its own two feet (ho ho) or if it was too reliant on a knowledge of the novel that inspired it. Unfortunately, without "Animal Farm" at the forefront of your brain, I can't see "Four Legs Bad, Two Legs Good", making much sense to you. It's fine, but the ending is a bit odd. Is it saying that Duck knows how to balance leisure time with work time? And how did they refill the pond? Why empty the pond anyway? Was Duck planning on Orvie getting stuck all along? They're small questions but some might be the kinds that kids ask in confusion after reading the tale.
It's funny, but in spite of the story's missteps I actually liked Johnson's art here more than in his previous "Henry" books. So it's fun for grown-ups and pretty on the eyes, but there's not much of a story to be found below the surface. Life is too short for author/illustrators not to try something completely wacky and bizarre once in a while. I'd be lying to you if I told you that I didn't get a kick out of this book. Points for originality then. Maybe it didn't quite work in the end, but give D.B. Johnson credit for going out there and creating something that nobody in the history of the world has ever tried before. A mess, but a rather beautiful one.
But in fact, ladies and gentlemen, he did. Yes, D.B. Johnson has given us an Animal Farm inspired bit of barnyard mayhem for the preschool set that is just the weirdest l'il ole creation ever to saunter down the pike. Filled with sly allusions and a plot that doesn't quite pull together, it's a great idea that didn't quite fulfill its picture book promise. I appreciate the in-jokes, but it takes more than shout-outs to make a book of this sort really work.
On a farm there are five animals. A horse, a cow, a goat, a duck, and a pig. The pig, as it happens, is named Orvie and he wears the boots. And since he can walk on two legs rather than four he is better than everyone else and gets to be the farmer. Duck quickly sees the flaw in this logic and points out to Orvie that she too has two legs. When confronted, Orvie claims that because he can do hard work, he is more worthy than duck to be the farmer. And when she pulls up all the weeds in the farm, Orvie pooh-poohs her efforts and proclaims that that isn't really BIG work. In response, Duck empties the pond in the middle of the night. When the other animals see what she has done they chase her for the plug, which she leaves back in the bottom of the pond. Everyone else splashes through the mud to get to her, but Orvie gets stuck, having only his two feet to walk on. That's when everyone gets together to pull him out (leaving the boots behind) and they discover that when it comes to legs, "18 Legs Best!" The book ends with nobody doing any work and Duck painting the new slogan on the barn.
I took a couple reads of this book to determine if it was a sequel to "Animal Farm" (as the decorations on the side of the barn would suggest), a prequel, or a story that is just influenced by Orwell's tale but doesn't really contain the same characters. I had to go with the last of these since the animals didn't really match up with those left alive at the end of "Animal Farm". Once I had that established I tried to forget everything I knew about Orwell's story to assess whether or not Johnson's tale stood on its own two feet (ho ho) or if it was too reliant on a knowledge of the novel that inspired it. Unfortunately, without "Animal Farm" at the forefront of your brain, I can't see "Four Legs Bad, Two Legs Good", making much sense to you. It's fine, but the ending is a bit odd. Is it saying that Duck knows how to balance leisure time with work time? And how did they refill the pond? Why empty the pond anyway? Was Duck planning on Orvie getting stuck all along? They're small questions but some might be the kinds that kids ask in confusion after reading the tale.
It's funny, but in spite of the story's missteps I actually liked Johnson's art here more than in his previous "Henry" books. So it's fun for grown-ups and pretty on the eyes, but there's not much of a story to be found below the surface. Life is too short for author/illustrators not to try something completely wacky and bizarre once in a while. I'd be lying to you if I told you that I didn't get a kick out of this book. Points for originality then. Maybe it didn't quite work in the end, but give D.B. Johnson credit for going out there and creating something that nobody in the history of the world has ever tried before. A mess, but a rather beautiful one.
December 28, 2016
Well *I* think it does stand on its own, and would make sense to youngsters age 4-8. But then, the first time I read Animal Farm I was about 9, so, yeah, I am biased in thinking that Fables are accessible to children. Maybe not every detail or allusion will make sense, but that's ok.
I love Animal Farm, I love Johnson's Henry books, and I love this. I recommend you try it out with your children yourself before reading the negative reviews.
Just one example of what Johnson is doing here that is so successful. Duck wants to wear "farmer boots." Every little kid knows that clothes make the man... that the title of the job matters little, the duties of the job often matter even less, but the uniform says it all. A red suit with white fur means Santa. A feather in a headband means an Indian brave. A robe with stars on it means a wizard. And farmer boots means the boss of the farm.
I love Animal Farm, I love Johnson's Henry books, and I love this. I recommend you try it out with your children yourself before reading the negative reviews.
Just one example of what Johnson is doing here that is so successful. Duck wants to wear "farmer boots." Every little kid knows that clothes make the man... that the title of the job matters little, the duties of the job often matter even less, but the uniform says it all. A red suit with white fur means Santa. A feather in a headband means an Indian brave. A robe with stars on it means a wizard. And farmer boots means the boss of the farm.
March 29, 2008
I'm not sure what this book was trying to be. As the title suggests it is somehow related to George Orwell's Animal Farm but it's not a retelling for children. I get the feeling that the author was trying for an extension of the story but that seems to be an odd choice considering most children would have no familiarity with the original story. The characters are different from the original and the whole allegory thing is kind of lost. So I just don't see the point here.
I wasn't a huge fan of the illustrations either. They are bright and colorful but really busy and I found them distracting. Rather than help me puzzle together what this book was supposed to be, they left me all the more confused.
I wasn't a huge fan of the illustrations either. They are bright and colorful but really busy and I found them distracting. Rather than help me puzzle together what this book was supposed to be, they left me all the more confused.
October 18, 2011
Yeah, that's right. Orwell in a children's book. It...worked for me. The idea alone deserves props.
And in this particular retelling, they have a happy ending and a SOCIALIST LEANING!!!! Thanks to the two-legged, two winged duck who tricks the pig into giving up the garb of the oppressor and joining with the people. It's all very metaphorical.
And in this particular retelling, they have a happy ending and a SOCIALIST LEANING!!!! Thanks to the two-legged, two winged duck who tricks the pig into giving up the garb of the oppressor and joining with the people. It's all very metaphorical.
June 8, 2017
This book is set up with comic squares. I was not expecting comic squares as I opened up the pages. Overall, the book was okay. The images were not my favorite, only because they look computer generated with sharp lines.
January 30, 2023
Orvie the pig is in charge of the farm. He supervises, while others work hard. Duck wants to have a turn as supervisor, but pig says it is too hard for someone so small. Duck challenges the status quo and encourages others to share the burden.
March 18, 2025
Ok, I'll admit, I've not read Animal Farm by Orwell. I don't know if this might appeal more to adults if there are allusions to that work ... for me, I didn't really get it. I guess it was cute enough with the illustrations, although the story didn't really make sense.
October 7, 2019
It started out very strange and got better, but I wouldn’t read this to young kids. There are some big themes at work here.
April 22, 2011
My first impression of this book was, "WHAT IS THIS I DON'T EVEN." The book flap proclaims this is an added chapter to Animal Farm, in which a young duck questions the authority of the pig in charge, Orvie (why? why change it? I just don't understand). Naturally, Orvie doesn't have an army of vicious dogs to help him run a tight ship so the duck's insistance that he be allowed to "wear the farmer boots" doesn't result in his head being ripped off. Instead, it ends in everyone having a lovely old time in the pond (?) and the duck gets to wear the farmer boots.
Somehow, Johnson managed to water down the horrors of the Russian Revolution to make it palatable for children, and gave it a happy ending. I feel like this might skew the children's future discoveries when they find out what actually happened. It's never a good idea to lie to kids about this kind of stuff.
Also, I found the little symbols of Animal Farm (All Animals Are Equal crossed out on the wall, two different instances of "Old Major" and "Squeeler" [sic] written on Orvie's chair, and so forth) confusing and incomplete.
Somehow, Johnson managed to water down the horrors of the Russian Revolution to make it palatable for children, and gave it a happy ending. I feel like this might skew the children's future discoveries when they find out what actually happened. It's never a good idea to lie to kids about this kind of stuff.
Also, I found the little symbols of Animal Farm (All Animals Are Equal crossed out on the wall, two different instances of "Old Major" and "Squeeler" [sic] written on Orvie's chair, and so forth) confusing and incomplete.
January 20, 2009
Extremely awkward to read out loud. I gave up halfway through and switched to another book for my daughter. I went back and finished it later, and it's an okay story. I just had a really hard time with the placement of the text all over each page. It was like playing hide-and-seek to find the text on some pages, let alone trying to figure out what order to read it in.
I love the Henry books by this author, but I wouldn't recommend this book.
I love the Henry books by this author, but I wouldn't recommend this book.
April 1, 2012
Hmmm...I can't say I have an impression of the book one way or the other. It was really just ok for me. Supposedly, it's loosely based on Animal Farm, which I have never read. Perhaps after reading it another time or two and trying it out on children, I'll have a better idea...
October 7, 2010
Never really saw the Animal Farm elements, but my kids liked the illustations and the funny story a lot.
September 29, 2011
hilarious children's take on Eliot's Animal Farm.
September 19, 2011
Oh how I wish the real Animal Farm had ended this way! This one was fun.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews