Hurry Down to Derry Fair

Young Billy Brown is in a hurry to get to Derry Fair but his parents and sister Lucy have so much to prepare it seems they will never leave the farm. Then, Grandma Patty realises it is time to go and everyone dashes off, holding tight to their produce. The rather weak rhyming text is redeemed by Tyler’s charming and very detailed illustrations in gentle line and soft colours portraying a long-vanished way of life. Gate-fold pages at the end show the fair, a somewhat unlikely and certainly old-time mix of fun-fair and agricultural fair with happy families enjoying their day out. Grandparents and older people from a rural background will enjoy reminiscing and talking about all of this with young children.