Wannabe Farms

by Brian McCann, Meghan Lands (Illustrator)

"A hilarious book for animal lovers and risk takers everywhere! Brian McCann introduces us to Wannabe Farms, and we never want to leave." - Amy Poehler

From acclaimed comedy writer Brian McCann comes Wannabe Farms , the insanely funny, rhyming collection of stories that asks the What do farmyard animals really want to do with their lives?

Welcome to Wannabe Farms, a farmyard where the animals like to wonder and dream, plot and scheme, and definitely not act how they're supposed to. In rhyming verse, Brian McCann (writer for Conan O'Brien) shows us what happens when cows want to drive, pigs dream of being sophisticates, and sheep take their hairstyles into their own hands (well, hooves). Together, what emerges is a delightful, hysterical romp through the farmyard, as animals discover the place where dreams meet their limits, and the power of adjusted expectations.

With hilarious two-color illustrations on every spread, this collection of stories brings Shel Silverstein and Old MacDonald together in a way readers young and old have never seen before!

Genres: Poetry, Animals, Childrens, Humor, Middle Grade

168 pages, Hardcover

Published February 18, 2020

Reviews

[Megan Heisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable book written in verse. My 6 year old and I found this book quite entertaining. Each type of farm animal is attempting to either build or fix something on the farm. Despite their hilarious failures, an amazing lesson is learned in the end. I found the chapters somewhat allegorical which made me love this book even more.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short chapters of rhyming text in quatrains tells of a farm where the animals want more than their destined lot. Humor and silly antics, amplified by the fun two-color illustrations, show the animals’ plans for change, such as when the cows try to construct a car out of a crate, flowerpots and shoes, or when the chickens try to build a flat-screen TV. As in many endeavors, the process was deemed worthwhile, despite the resulting contraptions failing universally! The author is a late-night TV comedy writer, and I can see that reading this aloud would be fun.

The rhyming is strained at times, but it is not meant to be high art. Kids won’t mind.

[Alyssa Victoriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really funny book with a really great life lesson. This book rhymes and has very white blank background with a few images on it. After a few pages the book also has a little note educating you a little about different things. The life lesson in the book is basically that if you fail or if something doesn’t do as planned things always have a way of working out. Get up and work at your dreams, you never know what will happen. Pursue your dreams. This is a very motivational fun kids book. I enjoyed reading this.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute! All told in rhyme. The animals on the farm all have dreams they decide to attempt to fulfill and this is what happens as each group fulfills their dreams.

Because of the rhyme, the book is a quick read. Should be great for reluctant readers or just a kid who needs to get a book read quickly.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in quatrain verse.
Humorous look at life on farm. The animals were content until life changed around them and they wanted more. McCann offers important life lessons through the "mistakes" each set of animals makes as they attempt to mimic pieces of human life. The rhymes and sidebars work to tell this tale.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this story. Told in resume, the story follows animals trying to improve their lives. They seek joy and fulfillment by making changes and discover happiness. The adventures are fun, the rhymes entertaining, and the authors observations funny. Reading it with a child would be a joy.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is hilarious and well written. I loved the style of writing in verse and the characters.
It was a joy to read and I think children will love it.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Sarah Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little story about discovering that you already have everything you need! The illustrations are cute, the poems are silly, and the fourth wall breaks are hilarious.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

ADORABLE!!!!!! The illustrations are funny and cute, and the story begs to be read aloud. Love it!

[Terri Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hilarious! Any fans of Shel Silverstein will adore these hilarious tales of animals following their dreams.

[Diane Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very humorous poetry book about animals and how they want to be different. They all get their wish in one way or another!

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fun book written in poem form. Very clever and witty. It was a fun read aloud.

[Tiana Hadnt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was delightfully adorable. Even as an adult there were a few points that made me laugh out loud. Kids would definitely love it!

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silly novel in verse, illustrated, farm theme

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and cute, my girlie and I both enjoyed its silliness.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very cute. I loved the rhyming story,

[Michele Knott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This rhyming chapter book (yup, almost the entire book is told in rhyme) is a hilarious look at a farm whose animals decide to take control of their destiny. What happens is a big mess... or is it? What happens when a creative idea takes a new turn? Is it a mess or is it a new genius idea?
A silly story that takes a look at thinking outside of the box and rolling with some new ideas.