Memories of living on a farm in the middle of a prairie, as told by a child from a century ago. There are descriptions included that must have been experienced, and they make the narrative richer. The illustrations are of mixed media, unusual, but don't distract the reader, just enhance the book. ( )

This book is comforting and lovely. Taking the reader by to a much different childhood than many today. In an age of the need for almost constant interaction, this is a heart-warming story of a childhood spent calmly, wonderfully on the prarie where summer mornings were bright and cool, and as the author writes, the earth smelled of cattle, bluegrass and hyssop.

Soft days of lying in the field with a friendly pet by his side, the young boy simply enjoys the clouds, the soft breeze and the flat earth that seems to go on and on forever. Small towns with unique names are found miles away where cold drinks ar located in red coolers with lids that were accessed by the top, and looking inside seemed like new-found treasures were found.

The birds were depicted as dotting the landscape "where the prarie met the mountains." there were horses, and plows and wagons, and a horizon of yellow green grass with a horizon of fluffy white clouds and vivid blue skies. The illustrations are as lush as the fields and pretty as the skies.

There seemed to be more family time in country. The porches were out front, rather than today where the decks are in the back. The long, wide porches provided lots of room for interaction, or solidarity to dream the day and eventide away. And, there were farm dog pets who relished the interactions of sticks thrown in the air. There were multi-generation familes that either lived together, or lived nearby.

There were sheep hered by the dogs who relished their job. And the water was cold in the ponds as children floated on their backs looking up, up at the beautiful sky.

There were trips to town where necessary items were purchased, and time for penny candy and interaction with cowboys. And then, a return home, riding in the back of the truck.

MacLachlan is an incredible writer who paints lovely soothing images of times gone by when there was time to enjoy simple things, and to know the love of family and the importantance of kindness. In comparison, today's world seems stressed with the need to work incessiantly in order to buy, buy "things" instead of enjoying nature and simple interactions.

I loved this book. I checked it out of the library, but I will buy it to add to my collection of books by this well-loved author.

FIVE STARS ( )

Beautiful big illustrations! Great for introducing children to other parts of the world. ( )

revisit 1940's/1950's ( )

The comforting past of growing up on a farm delivers a sense of warmth, comfort and relaxation.

This book is told from a narrator's perspective, one who grew up on a farm and reflects on how life was as a child during that time. While starting at the farmhouse and flower-filled setting, the tale glides through what a day might have looked like for a child in the summer months (away from school) and offers a glimpse at those experiences in an inviting way.

The writing is almost poetic as the book follows the summer life of a farm child. The atmosphere is calm and displays the simple life, which is mostly brought outdoors until the end of the day. It is a lovely way to introduce listeners to growing up on a farm and give a peek at what life was like without falling into a heavier history lesson. This book will especially have an impact if read by an adult who had these are similar experiences themselves, since it will create a special bond and also allows the chance to open discussions on how things were.

The illustrations are my favorite part of this book. The mood comes across wonderfully, while allowing important details not to be forgotten. It is artistic and yet, portrays reality nicely, so listeners have the chance to visualize the life being portrayed. I was a bit disappointed that some terms mentioned in the text weren't identified with some sort of tags in the illustrations, since several items will not be familiar to listeners or necessarily, the readers (flower types, birds, etc).

For anyone wanting to expose the younger generation to the experiences of growing up on a farm in years past, this is a lovely book to grab up. It is nicely written, a joy to flip through, and simply a comforting read.

I received an ARC and enjoyed it as we ourselves live on a farm and much of our family also grew up in this time frame and had these same experiences. ( )