Prairie Days

This book was wonderful !! So beautiful in picture and words! I could read it over and over!!

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.

I’ve been hearing a lot about this book lately so I had to have a look. The cover didn’t do much for me but what’s inside the cover, caught my attention. I felt myself slowing down as I read, the text had its own song. Written in the author’s own lyricism and unique book spacing, a peaceful and whimsical feeling came over me. I found myself out in the country, where the clock didn’t matter and the sun, set the time. The scenic countryside was painted, each layer told a story that set with the changing of the seasons, and it was hard to believe that someone actually created these beautiful illustrations.Let me get lost in this countryside where the kids played kick the can and they cooled themselves off by lifting the lid of the cold-water, lift-top tank to grab a drink. Herding cattle, resting on the front porch, and swimming in the farm pond were all just part of a normal day. Author Patricia MacLachlan does a fantastic job showing us a glimpse of prairie days.You have to look at these illustration as they are just beautiful. I had to know how Micha Archer created such works of art and these are actual multilayers created with origami and tissue paper and pattered papers that she makes with homemade stamps. Wow, I mean wow! I found it amazing that she was once a kindergarten teacher for 15 years and then, was a carpenter for another 15 years, and now she writes and illustrates children’s books. That does make sense, looking at this book. I’m going to look and see what other books she has illustrated. This book was definitely a keeper! 5 stars

Newbery winner MacLachlan depicts days gone by and harkens readers back to much simpler times (Wyoming, 1940s) when the sky was big, life was slow, families were close, dogs slept on front porches and horses grazed in nearby fields. Farm life as the author remembers it is tranquil and lovely.Mixed media illustrations done in ink, acrylic, tissue paper and origami create a unique texture in the art by Micha Archer. This little picture book could win it all!Heartfelt, lyrical prose capture moments in time and childhood bliss. Every childhood should have memories of complete happiness!Highly, highly recommended. Prairie Days is the most beautiful picture book of 2020!Read all my reviews at Young Adult Books--What We're Reading Now

Beautiful prose, beautiful art