Fat Hendrick Stories

Jack Magnus - Reader's Favorite Review

Buttermilk is a children's animal storybook written by Fat Hendrick and illustrated by Jamil Adler. Farmer Floyd is not happy about the guitar-playing tenant who's living in their guest house. He's worried that the noise will bother Jesse, their cow, and that her milk won't win the first prize at the county fair that he's longing for. His wife, Mrs. Mavis, is not that concerned, however, as she keeps on knitting and rocking in her chair. Farmer Floyd is in for a big surprise the next morning. When he begins to milk Jessie, he hears a strange plopping noise as the milk hits the bucket, but it's not milk. It's butter, and Mrs. Mavis says it's the best, most savory butter she's ever tasted. Everyone at the fair agrees.

Fat Hendrick's children's story, Buttermilk, is a historical delight filled with whimsy, humor and magic. Examine any panel of this marvelous tale and you'll see pictures that at first glance seem like something akin to Norman Rockwell's America, but on second glance, they seem more what that artist might have been inspired to draw under the influence. Jamil Adler's illustrations are profoundly inventive and loads of fun. Jesse the cow smiles contentedly and reads a magazine as she's being milked. A framed painting in the farmhouse stars a bear standing proudly with his catch and leaning on his fishing pole. Perspectives are just a bit, and sometimes more than a bit, off. Windows and walls tilt and lean, and ants are everywhere. Buttermilk is a story to be savored slowly, like a fine wine. Each page has marvels and mysteries, leading up to the big mystery of that magical cow and her butter -- but wait, there's more. I love this book! Fat Hendrick's Buttermilk is most highly recommended.
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