Home in the Woods

Based on the author's grandmother's childhood during the Great Depression, Home in the Woods follows a widow and her eight children who move to a rustic tar-paper shack in the Wisconsin woods. The family arrives with few possessions but hope for a fresh start. Through changing seasons, the mother and children work together to transform their modest shelter into a true home. They discover ways to live off the land, gathering food from the forest and learning to preserve nature's bounty for winter. The story demonstrates how creativity, determination and family bonds can overcome difficult circumstances. This picture book presents Depression-era challenges through a child's perspective while celebrating the sustaining power of togetherness and finding joy in simple pleasures.

Readers connect emotionally with this true story about the author's grandmother's Depression-era childhood. Parents and teachers appreciate how the book addresses poverty and hardship while maintaining hope and showing family resilience. Liked: - Detailed, immersive illustrations that capture both struggle and beauty - Focus on finding joy in simple pleasures - Authentic portrayal of historical period - Message about family unity during hard times Disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers wanted more historical context - Limited appeal for very young children due to serious themes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (240+ ratings) "The illustrations tell as much of the story as the words do" - Goodreads reviewer "Shows children that families can overcome difficulties together" - School librarian review "Perfect blend of hardship and hope" - Parent reviewer on Amazon

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🌲 This story is based on the true experiences of the author's grandmother, Marvel, who moved to the Wisconsin wilderness with her mother and seven siblings during the Great Depression after her father died. 🏠 The abandoned one-room tar-paper shack the family discovered in the woods became their home for five years, where they learned to live off the land and support each other. 🍄 The family survived by foraging for mushrooms, berries, and nuts in the forest, and by fishing in nearby streams - skills that Marvel's mother had learned from her own Native American grandmother. ✏️ Author-illustrator Eliza Wheeler created the book's atmospheric illustrations using ink, gouache, and watercolor, incorporating actual details from her grandmother's memories of the woods. 🌟 Wheeler spent much of her own childhood in northern Wisconsin near the location where her grandmother's family found refuge, which helped her capture the essence of the Northwoods setting in her artwork.