Our Friendly Farmhouse

K-Gr 3–At the start of this heartwarming family tale a father on a bicycle sees a sign for an auction of land in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains: “‘What if?’ he wondered.” His son narrates the tale of a family that decides to follow their dream to create a life for themselves “away from the city and all its thrills.” From auction to planning to the actual construction of the house and making it into a home the tale unwinds as this loving family plains and works together to build a life in the country with their ideal home, including the animals and wildflowers at their “friendly farmhouse on the hill.” Tender illustrations filled with whimsy and love effectively capture the construction process as well as the connectivity of the family. Although an idyllic and pastoral setting combined with a loving family make this story almost to good to be true, back matter, including photographs, confirms that the author and her family did indeed make this dream into their reality.