Distributed by the University of Nebraska Press for Caxton Press Like pages torn from the culinary history of The Old West, Sowbelly and Sourdough conjures up visions of mealtimes at chuck wagons in dusty cow camps.

In 1932, a farmer named George Washington Perry decided it was too rainy to plow and went fishing. That day, George landed the largest largemouth ever recorded—twenty-two pounds four ounces. The fish has inspired and frustrated hundreds of anglers for decades. They’ve dedicated their lives to the pursuit of “Sowbelly”—a nearly mythical fish, whose swinelike girth holds the key to their dreams. From an L.A. cop who came within ounces of besting the record to an Alabaman who has lost his marriage and his daughter to this pursuit, Burke takes readers along for the ride in this legendary race.

In 1932, a farmer named George Washington Perry decided it was too rainy to plow and went fishing. That day, George landed the largest largemouth ever recorded—twenty-two pounds four ounces. The fish has inspired and frustrated hundreds of anglers for decades. They’ve dedicated their lives to the pursuit of “Sowbelly”—a nearly mythical fish, whose swinelike girth holds the key to their dreams. From an L.A. cop who came within ounces of besting the record to an Alabaman who has lost his marriage and his daughter to this pursuit, Burke takes readers along for the ride in this legendary race.

In the third adventure of Frank Hazards fabulist Sow Belly series, Herb the Worm is determined to discover why rehearsals for a play at the Live Stock Company have been sabotaged. He seeks out Sow Belly to help him investigate the crime and with the assistance of other earnest farm-animal friends Herb and Sow Belly resolve to unravel the riddle and to make sure that the play Hedda Gobbler will premier as scheduled in only a few hours. They race against time and they dont have many clues to guide their quest. As suspensefully crafted as its predecessors in the Sow Belly series, SOW BELLY AND THE THEATER comprises an adroit blend of satire and mystery, humor and adventure, with vivid illustrations and an eccentric array of poignant and sinister farm-yard characters that will intrigue and irresistibly fascinate both children and adults. A fabulist journey, a fabulous experience.

What a dilemma! War is declared and the farm animals confront its ineludible threat, in the fourth adventure of Frank Hazard’s fabulist “Sow Belly” series, and Sow Belly and Herb the Worm undertake a dangerous mission to rescue a hapless friend, Michael the Frog, who has been captured by their adversaries. The Farm Yard Force, a militia, has been organized to halt the predatory invasion of a belligerent army that includes a nefarious spider, a two-headed snake and a spiteful wolf commanded by an ambiguous Presence—a Voice—that hypnotically mesmerizes them and induces their unconditional obedience. The threat of a battle looms and the Farm Yard Force is on the march. Vividly illustrated and suspensefully crafted, with an exotic variety of sinister, audacious and eccentric farm animal characters SOW BELLY AND THE WAR deftly combines humor, mystery and adventure in a vibrant narrative that will fascinate children and unforgettably intrigue adults. What a journey!

Vividly illustrated and suspensefully crafted, SOW BELLY AND THE STRANGER is a story both whimsical and serious, an adroit blend of mystery and adventure, with a festive variety of poignant, arresting and eccentric farm-yard characters. SOW BELLY, an affable pig, is woken early one morning by BATTY THE BAT, who has been frightened by the sight of a mysterious stranger encountered in the orchard near the farm where they live. The stranger, Batty informs her, looks like a man but isn’t a man, and Sow Belly decides to investigate. She seeks help from BASIL THE ROOSTER, but Basil is a narcissistic fop who spends most of his time staring at his reflection in a mirror, and he refuses to accompany her to the orchard. GRIZZLE, a disgruntled rat, also refuses to help; but he affirms that he encountered the stranger – who looks like a man yet isn’t a man – earlier that morning. When Sow Belly asks HERMA, a nervous hen, about the stranger Herma runs away frightened and alarmed. Next, Sow Belly visits her husband, BOAR BELLY, at his office in the pig-sty where he edits The Daily Fodder, the farm newspaper. He pays little attention to his wife and even doubts that the stranger really exists. And finally, arrogantly he advises her to investigate the situation herself, alone, if she is so inclined. Sow Belly next encounters DEBBIE THE DUCK, who has heard about the stranger and, eager for adventure, asks to accompany Sow Belly to the orchard on her formidable search. The two friends commence their intrepid journey and along the way come across GAYE, a friendly cow, and HERB THE WORM, both of whom agree to join the investigation, and the group anxiously proceeds across the meadow to the orchard where the stranger is supposed to be hiding. They are frightened, in the orchard, when they observe a spooky pair of eyes watching them among the branches of an apple tree, and a peculiar furry hand – which also resembles an animal’s paw – soon appears. An unusual face, in which the features of a man and those of a beast are mingled, pokes out among the leaves. Sow Belly assures the creature that he is not in any danger and she encourages him to climb down from the tree and make friends with them. The story continues as Sow Belly and her companions earnestly comfort this strange “creature”—who is lost—and they help their new friend to find a way back home. Additional characters include BRAINY HARE THE RABBIT; a bug named MR. FLYSPECK; and CLODHOPPER THE HORSE. As uniquely winsome as it is instructive, SOW BELLY AND THE STRANGER will enchant, intrigue and entertain adults as well as children of many different ages, with equal delight.