Petunia Takes a Trip

Petunia Takes a Trip
Roger Duvoisin ~ Knopf, 1953

Just when I think I've read every last Petunia book, a new one finds me. On loan from my son's new school library, it's only been a few days since the first read and already I'm of the opinion that these might be the best Petunia drawings yet.

Petunia first appeared in 1950 followed by a host of other books like Petunia's Christmas, Petunia Beware, Petunia I Love You, Petunia and the Song, Petunia's Treasure, not to mention the various Veronica books she cameos in. Am I missing anything? Duvoisin delights, as always, with his thin lines and bold colors, but this time set away from the meadows and farmland Petunia usually roams. A dear goose with a stubborn heart, this story finds her longing to spread her wings and get out of the barnyard for a while. After a short round of calisthenics, she takes flight, only to find herself caught in the gale force winds of a storm and blown straight to what appears to be New York City.

When at last the sky cleared, Petunia saw, far below, a very strange sight. The whole earth was laid with rows of houses set close together like stones in a wall. The rows opened only to let through two rivers full of busy boats. "Oh, what an adventure," said Petunia, above the big city. "Where am I? What am I going to do?"

More, what doesn't she do.

Taken in by a taxicab driver and a policeman, they show her the city in style, then load her onto a train back to the country.

Nothing beats an amazing journey like coming home again to the cows, pigs and horses you love. I can't wait until Petunia finds us again!

Also by:
Petunia
Petunia, Beware!
The Rain Puddle
A Child's Garden of Verses
Veronica and the Birthday Present
Donkey Donkey
Petunia's Christmas
The Old Bullfrog

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