Goat on the Go: Scout’s Muddy Day

In the first book of the Goat on the Go Series, meet Scout—a spirited goat with a twinkle in his eye and a heart full of adventure. When he decides to explore the world beyond the goat pen, he finds himself in a whirlwind of fun and unexpected encounters. From muddy misadventures to curious critters on the farm, Scout’s day is anything but ordinary. But as the sun starts to set, one question remains. . . will Scout find his way back to his pen by sunset, or will his journey take an unexpected twist? 

Scout, the lovable protagonist, isn’t content to stay in his pen. As he wanders the farms, he meets the other animals, including Highland cows, pigs, and guinea hens. However, Scout gets so dirty that no one can recognize him. Young readers will want to shout out when the other animals ask, “What are you?” and they will cheer when an unexpected friend helps Scout when the other goats won’t let him back into the pen. 

Scout’s Muddy Day comes to life with cute illustrations that use bright primary colors. Readers will enjoy seeing all of the farm animals and laugh as Scout gets so dirty that no one can recognize him. For example, a Highland cow tells Scout, “You don’t look like any goat I’ve seen. You look like a tall pig with horns.”  

While Farmer Ray searches for Scout, the goat hides, making the book feel like a fun game of hide-and-seek. Scout’s big blue eyes express his emotions, and most readers will be able to identify Scout’s feelings of excitement, embarrassment, and sadness. 

Even though Scout’s Muddy Day is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read independently for the first time. The story uses complex sentences and advanced vocabulary. For example, one sentence reads “‘I’d better skedaddle before I get caught!’ Scout said, and trotted off towards a lush green pasture where the cows were grazing peacefully.” The book only has one to two sentences per page. However, the sentence length and vocabulary may be confusing to younger readers, and an adult may need to pause and explain some parts of the book, making it best suited for reading on a relaxing day with no plans. 

Scout’s Muddy Day allows readers to follow Scout’s playful antics and learn more about life on the farm. Scout’s adventure also shows the importance of being curious and trying new things. The book ends with Scout “dreaming of his next big adventure” and leaves readers wondering what Scout will do in the next book, Scout’s Delicious Day. 

If you’re looking for another animal-themed book, there are many options, including Biscuit and the Little Llamas by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, Time for School, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, and Sloth at the Zoom by Helaine Becker. 

Sexual Content  

• None 

Violence  

• None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• None 

Language  

• None 

Supernatural 

• None

Spiritual Content  

• None