Home in The Woods by Eliza Wheeler

This is a well illustrated picture book that talks about a family that is displaced by the father's death.  They move into a tar shack in the woods That's run down and deserted.  With a little hard work, things start looking better.

Nancy Paulsen Books and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published October 1st.

They plant a garden, hunt and fish. and harvest the fruit trees there.  Mom cans with her daughter's help.  She also works a bit to have money for what they can't grow or harvest.

This story is set during the days of the depression, but my mom and I canned at home.  We had a big garden with lettuce always growing for salads.  We had five apple trees (different types), a huge pear tree, and wild fruit trees down by our creek.  We harvested it all.  My Uncle had cows and pigs and we bought halves of them.  We raised chickens.  We didn't buy a lot at the store, so this story resonates with me.

The illustrations are great and the story is uplifting.  They miss the father but they are too busy to dwell on it.

Things have changed but sometimes I miss the old times.

The Grudge Keeper by Mara Rockliff

Old Cornelius has a huge Victorian home which is good because he's the village's Grudge Keeper.  Any problems they have, they write them down and take them to him to hide away in his home.  Sounds good, doesn't it?

Peachtree Publishers and Net Galley allowed me read this book for review (thank you).  It was published April 1st, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

This is a lovely picture book.  Eliza Wheeler illustrates with her heart.  Her pictures are big and overflowing with soft colors and fun characters.  They really add to the text and make the story even more impressive.

Most of the grudges are pretty silly.  The text makes it even more fun by referring to them as tiffs and huffs and squabbles and quibbles and more.  Everyone in the village uses Cornelius' services and that keeps them all getting along.

So imagine what happens when there is really big wind and it blows all those grudges out the windows?  Squabbles were tangled with quibbles, low blows were on top and left handed compliments were on the right side.  Oh my!

The words used in this story are active and fluid and make you want to mimic the sounds.  I found that charming.  I also love how the story ends.  

Why not share a book with your little one that will teach them to forgive and forget the little things that happen in life and follow the natural way to happiness?  They'll be smiling when then they finish this picture book story - just like I was!