Claude in the Country

Claude and Sir Bobblysock decide to spend the day in the countryside. Soon, they come to a farm and meet a charming farmer called Mrs Cowpat. Claude and Sir Bobblysock help her to get ready for the country fair taking place on her farm that afternoon. They collect eggs; round up sheep;  exercise the horses; and wash the pigs. Then the fair starts. However, one of the judges is chased by a very angry bull. Claude saves the day by lassoing the bull and capturing it. After all the excitement, Claude and Sir Bobblysock return home for a well-earned snooze.

Claude in the Country is part of the Claude series but it can be read alone. It is a cleverly designed book with innovative illustrations that have a retro feel. They echo the style of illustrations from the 50s and 60s, and the author-illustrator uses a very limited palette of black, grey, white, red and pink. Claude’s surreal adventures are both amusing and fun to read, having great appeal for newly confident readers. The book also works on another level with the more sophisticated aspects of the visual humour appealing to adults.