Two Summers

by John Heffernan, Freya Blackwood (Illustrator)

Rick is coming to visit again. But will he recognise the farm? Will he have as much fun as last time?

Same friend. Same farm. Totally different landscape.

A book about the great cycles of nature that rule our lives, from award-winning author John Heffernan and talented new illustrator Freya Blackwood.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

John Heffernan lives on a farm at the end of a dirt road. The farm is nestled in a beautiful little valley at the edge of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales. John's early training as a teacher has been invaluable in both his writing and in establishing a relationship with young readers.

John has written more than thirty books for older readers and younger readers, on a range of subjects, in a range of styles and genres. Picture books, chapter books, YA novels, reality to fantasy; he likes to dabble in them all!

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice picture book showing the difference on a farm after a drought. I read it to my 6yo daughter and it didn't engage her at all. There was also a picture with a cow with blood pooling around her head, her dead calf and the dad walking away with a rifle. I wouldn't recommend this for a sensitive child, although it is reality on a farm.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perspective is really interesting in this book. It's first person told from the point of view of a young farm-boy anticipating the arrival of Rick from the city. It's all about how Rick will find things compared with the previous summer. While everything points to severe drought, this is never stated explicitly. At the final moment, the narrator admits things are crook, but by then Rick is too tired to notice. An unusual evocation of farm life in a harsh environment.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Summers is a farm based children's book that addresses the changes drought brings to a property and the people who live/visit there. It's almost bleak but with hope shining through that things will change.

I love Freya Blackwoods illustrations, and their full page placement immerses you in the story.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated story about a visiting cousin(?) from the city and all the things they got to do last time he came for the holidays but this time the farm is suffering a drought and how things have changed. Some bits may be a bit deep for little kids but they would still enjoy the pics.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that Two Summers was a good book. I really liked the story line about someone seeing a farm differently in a drought. I recommend this book for 9 and under.

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and beautiful illustrations

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

life on a farm - one year good, the next in drought. the pictures, at times, tell more than the story.