Title: Our Friendly Farmhouse
Author: Melissa Ferguson
Major Themes: Building, Houses, Family, Farm Life
Synopsis: After surprising themselves by buying a piece of land, a family builds a house and moves to the country.
I am thankful to still have a child young enough to enjoy picture books! The best way to read any picture book is aloud, to an appreciative audience. I read Our Friendly Farmhouse to my 5-year-old this morning, and she loved it, as did I.
Publisher’s description:
One day Papa burst into the kitchen with a wild idea. What if the family moved to the country? What if they built their very own farmhouse between sleeping strawberry fields and the misty Appalachian Mountains? Join a little boy and his adventurous parents and sisters as they chase a dream of open sky, nature to explore, a blooming garden, and lots of animal friends.
This artful picture book for 4- to 8-year-olds…
- journeys alongside a family as they reach for the impossible and build their dream home in the country;
- follows the creation of a homestead, from digging the foundation and raising the walls to planting a garden, welcoming chicks and kittens, and snuggling a newborn baby on the porch;
- inspires families to dream together and set out on their own adventures; and
- features a classic feel and a presentation page to make this book the perfect gift for anyone dreaming of country life, intentional living, and rewilding childhood.
You’re invited to Our Friendly Farmhouse, where children swing under the sunset after chasing a rainbow and snacking at a tea party, where ducklings and kittens keep you company, and where friends are always welcome. A place where there is time to wander, memories are made, and hearts are full.
My thoughts:
Our Friendly Farmhouse is a beautiful book. The pictures are gorgeous, reminiscent of some of my favorite books from the 1970s and 80s. They are full-color, detailed paintings, showing each stage of the farmhouse. The family bought land at an auction, then prepared a site for a house, and then started building it. Throughout, the family was involved—the narrator even got to help his father operate the excavator! One picture shows the family scratching a Scripture reference into the wet concrete. My favorite pages, though, are at the very end of the book, where the author tells the story behind the story, and shares a few photographs of the process.
We read a digital copy of Our Friendly Farmhouse, but when I asked my little girl what she thought of it, she told me she wants a hard copy! It is such a beautiful book that it would be wonderful to have on our shelf.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
No warnings!
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 3 – 4, 5 – 8
Reading Independently—Ages 7 – 9
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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