Farmhouse

Farmhouse tells the story of a real house in upstate New York and the family of twelve children who lived there in the early 1900s. The house stood for two centuries before falling into disrepair. Sophie Blackall discovered the abandoned farmhouse and collected objects, stories and inspiration from its remains. She created illustrations using items found in the house, incorporating them into her mixed-media artwork. The narrative follows the rhythm of days, seasons, and generations within and around the farmhouse. The children's daily activities, farm work, and family gatherings are depicted through detailed spreads that capture both indoor and outdoor scenes. This picture book explores themes of time, memory, and the ways physical spaces hold human stories. The intersection of past and present creates a meditation on how places shape lives and how lives shape places.

Readers highlight the book's detailed illustrations and layered storytelling about a real abandoned farmhouse. Many note how it appeals to both children and adults through its themes of family history, memory, and the passage of time. Likes: - Intricate artwork incorporating actual items from the farmhouse - Multi-generational family story that encourages discussions - Author's note explaining the real-world inspiration - Interactive elements like fold-out pages Dislikes: - Some found the story melancholic for young children - A few mentioned the text was too long for toddlers - Several noted confusion about the timeline jumps Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (500+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Like a time capsule in book form" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful but maybe too contemplative for very young kids" - Amazon reviewer "The detail in each illustration rewards multiple readings" - School Library Journal reader review

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🏡 The story was inspired by a real 200-year-old farmhouse in New York state that author Sophie Blackall purchased and restored. 🎨 The illustrations in the book incorporate actual items found in the farmhouse during renovation, including wallpaper fragments, letters, and photographs. 📝 Sophie Blackall interviewed former residents of the farmhouse and incorporated their real stories and memories into the narrative, spanning twelve generations of families. 🏆 "Farmhouse" won the 2023 Caldecott Medal, making Sophie Blackall one of only four illustrators to win this prestigious award three times. 🖼️ The book's unique diorama-style artwork was created by building miniature rooms, photographing them, and then incorporating painted elements - a technique that took over two years to complete.