Chris Tougas’ ‘Mechanimals’ is delightful

“Mechanimals,” by Chris Tougas, Orca Book Publishing, Sept. 1, 2012, paperback, $9.95 (ages 3 and up)

Once upon a time there was a farmer who lost all his animals when a tornado swept them away. Not only were the animals gone, but the tornado left behind a mountain of scrap metal and machine parts.

The farmer was very sad and very determined. His neighbors couldn’t believe he could turn the mess into a masterpiece. “When pigs fly,” they said. That gave the farmer an idea. …

With all the machine parts and scrap metal, the farmer had plenty of materials to work with, creating some surprising and surprisingly useful creatures.

“Mechanimals” is delightful! It’s so much fun to watch the farmer’s new bots take shape. Chris Tougas’ illustrations are brilliantly stylized and bring a smile to the face. Simple text tells just enough and leaves the rest to play out on the page and in the imagination.

First published in 2007, the paperback edition is a welcome and inexpensive discovery. Children and adults will love visiting this barnyard.