
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 8, 1993                   TAG: 9305080123
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: C12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Reviewed by LYNN ERWIN
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CHILDREN, ADULTS WILL LIKE THESE COWS

For those of us whose lives are surrounded by the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains, the scenes in "Until the Cows Come Home" could be from our own backyard, down the road or at most, just a mile or so around the bend.

There are photographs of cows confined to a meadow by a fence, rolls of hay, a roadside stand, a river and a blue bird box on a post. There are more, of course, and not one is unfamiliar.

Patricia Mills' hand-colored platinum palladium prints resemble those in Grandmother's album, although they were taken by this first-time author and seasoned photographer around her West Virginia cabin over the last couple of years.

There isn't an exciting one in the bunch, and yet, even the photograph of a basket in the garden overflowing with vegetables is worth a second glance. (Did you notice that gloved hand on the right getting ready to pluck the squash from the vine?)

Mills says, "I hope that in a quiet way this book will open children to the simple pleasures and the great beauty of unspoiled rural life."

Our own Roanoke Valley children may wonder what is so unique about a picture book that mirrors the images that are with them day after day. And, perhaps that is why "Until the Cows Come Home" is so appealing.

Familiarity.

Mills' poetic text, limited to one line per page and full page illustrations make for a small coffee table-like book. Although tagged as a children's book by the author, it is more for adults who could use a few minutes to wind down. Children in a relaxed mood will enjoy the gentle words and tranquil pictures.

\ Lynn Erwin is a librarian at Hollins College.

by CNB