Book picks similar to
Bringing the Farmhouse Home by Gloria Whelan


picture-books
books-read-with-the-kids
death
family-rituals

I Wish I Had a Dinosaur


V. Moua - 2016
    Once again, the little red bird has another great idea. This time, he absolutely knows what would make a great pet—a dinosaur! The bird also does a great job at convincing the reader why a particular dinosaur would make the perfect pet. So read along as you and your child will enjoy the adventures and wild imagination of this quirky bird! I Wish I Had a Dinosaur is a book that any child will love, especially at bedtime. Read this children's book FREE as part of your PRIME or Kindle Unlimited membership

Be a Flamingo & Stand Out From the Crowd


Sarah Ford - 2017
    She is always the first on the dancefloor and the very last to stop boogying. She has never tried to dress like a Parisian, never followed advice on what not to wear, and certainly has never tried to tone down her natural pinkness; she knows he is perfect just the way she is. And even when life throws Flamingo a curveball, she is always ready to embrace the unknown and jump straight in.A gorgeous little gift book of motivational sayings and hilarious axioms, Be a Flamingo is a perfect pink pick-me-up gift for a friend who needs a confidence boost, or great as an impulse self-purchase when you feel you need to start tooting your own horn a little louder. Because we could all do worse than taking a leaf out of Flamingo's book.

Solomon the Rusty Nail


William Steig - 1985
    Its hero, young Solomon, is an ordinary rabbit--well, ordinary in every respect but one. Whenever he scratches his nose and wiggles his toes at exactly the same time, he turns into a rusty nail. To turn back into a rabbit, all he has to do is thing: "I'm no nail, I'm a rabbit!" This unusual talent enables Solomon to play some gratifying practical jokes, but it also leads to serious trouble when he's waylaid by a one-eyed cat who plans to turn him into Hasenpfeffer. Solomon promptly becomes a rusty nail and steadfastly refuses to change back, even after Ambrose, the cat, and his wife, Clorinda, lock him up in a cage in their guest room. Sooner or later, they figure, they'll be dining no bunny stew. How can Solomon possibly find a way out of this dilemma?

The Moon Is Always Round


Jonathan Gibson - 2019
    In The Moon Is Always Round, seminary professor and author Jonathan Gibson uses the vivid imagery of the moon to explain to children how God’s goodness is always present, even when it might appear to be obscured by upsetting or difficult circumstances. In this beautiful, two-color illustrated book, he allows readers to eavesdrop on the conversations he had with his young son in response to his sister’s death. Father and son share a simple liturgy together that reminds them that, just as the moon is always round despite its different phases, so also the goodness of God is always present throughout the different phases of life. A section in the back of the book offers further biblical help for parents and caregivers in explaining God’s goodness to children. Jonathan Gibson reminds children of all ages that God’s goodness is present in the most difficult of times, even if we can’t always see it.

The Stranded Whale


Jane Yolen - 2015
    He’s stranded on the beach. Her brother runs for help, and many people rally to respond, but the tide is going out quickly and the whale is just so big. Still, Sally is able to sit near the whale’s massive eye and tell him he’s beautiful and strong, and that she will miss him no matter what happens. Master storyteller Jane Yolen and illustrator Melanie Cataldo have created an authentic portrait of vulnerability that is at once spare, moving, and honest.

The Wicca Circle


John Hennessy - 2013
    She can see the future. But can she see far enough? The world in which she lives is under attack – the dead are rising, and evil follows her at every turn.Will she be able to save herself – and the world?”From the Diary of Romilly Winter, October 14th."I’ve had two years to prepare for this. In that time, I have never told a soul. Of course, my Nan knew. She’d bequeathed me the mirror, after all. Now, maybe tonight, tomorrow, in a few days, the event that I don’t want to happen with all my heart, will come to pass. I’m not ready. I know I’m not ready, and yet, it will happen nonetheless.Nan had this thing in her possession for nearly seventy years. She had told me I simply had to be at Rosewinter, prior to my sixteenth birthday no matter what objections my parents raised. She said I was ‘special’, and was the only one equipped to deal with what was coming.The problem is, I don’t feel special, I just feel…different, and in all probability, that isn't going to be good enough.In just two days time, I will be sixteen years old, and if anything my Nan said is remotely true, I will be lucky to survive that long…."AUTHOR NOTES: Not for the very youngest of readers.---Recommended for ages 15 and over.

Losing Graceland


Micah Nathan - 2010
    He has just graduated from college with a useless degree, has gotten dumped by his longtime girlfriend, and is still mourning his father, who died in a freak accident. Yet Ben finds himself in for more than he expected, as the old man who placed the ad seems to be a still-living Elvis who leads Ben on a 900-mile journey to Memphis in search of his granddaughter. Along the way they brawl with biker gangs, consult a backwoods oracle, rescue a hooker named Ginger from her one-eyed pimp, and ultimately find some answers about themselves and their place in the world.

Faraway Things


Dave Eggers - 2021
    Lucian's discovery on the beach this particular day, though, is no ordinary faraway thing. It's a cutlass: strong, shiny, and powerful. As its history comes to light, Lucian faces a choice: cling to the sword he loves or accept a gift that shines farther, wider, and deeper than he could have ever dreamed.

The Tower of London


Anderson Caldwell - 2016
    Since lions were considered a suitable gift for royalty, one tower - the Lion Tower - was a menagerie. Many historic events, stately and ceremonial, pathetic or dreadful - from the murder of King Edward IV's young sons to the beheadings of Henry VIII's queens to the imprisonment of Elizabeth I - took place in the Tower. It was customary for kings and queens to spend the night, or a few days, in these apartments before their coronation; from there they proceeded to Westminster. Charles II's was the last; after that, the royal lodgings fell into disuse and were ultimately abandoned. Here is the vivid story of the Tower of London, the monarchs who slept there, and the men and women who lost their lives there.

Zombie-Kids


Julia Dweck - 2012
    A must read for Zombie Fans! New version includes Free audio book inside and features vivid, full-color layouts with Kindle Text Pop-Up!!!The Zombie-Kids have arrived in this original bestselling title ranked #1 among Amazon's Bestsellers in Children's Color Picture Books and hand selected by the editors at Amazon for the prestigious, "Kindle Daily Deal." Don't miss out on this hilarious bestselling adventure that put Zombie-Kids on the map to rave customer reviews.Did you know that zombies are people that have feelings, too? They like to be loved just like me and like you. Join the zombie-kids as they bowl, dance, skate, and go to the movies in their unique zombie-way. You'll have an eerily good time.And don't miss the sequel, Zombie Kids Go Green, also available on Kindle store.

Thin Ice


K.R. Bankston - 2011
    It’s also home to Ian “Ice” Bailey a man as dangerous as he is sexy. Our story begins on the East side, where we meet Ice and our supporting cast. Kaitlyn “KiKi” Ross and Jaleesa “Tweety” Mitchell; two ladies who can hold their own in the game, making moves and plays as well as any of their male counterparts. Things are fine until Tweety crosses the line, unwittingly dragging KiKi along, and invade Ice’s territory. That’s when everything becomes complicated.Throw in a romantic triangle or three and the fun really starts. Ice has a thing for KiKi, but she has a thing for Tariq. Tariq Taylor is the short order cook she sells smack to and thinks he’s a junkie. Tariq is into KiKi, but Landon, the guy who works for the arena league that KiKi meets at the club, is determined she’s going to be with him. Confused yet? No? Well there’s Tweety’s man Evan, Landon’s friend, who isn’t what he presents himself to be and who also happens to have hidden lust for KiKi.Ice is not a man accustomed to hearing no, or being outwitted in his business. His reaction to both is force, sometimes deadly. Begin the ride with us and meet all the players in our serial drama, starting with the beginning, BEWARE: Thin Ice.

The Red Sky At Night


Jo Thomas - 2015
    A sparkling short story from the bestselling author of The Oyster Catcher, available exclusively in ebook.

My Little Girl


Tim McGraw - 2008
    From dancing by a duck pond to swinging on a tire swing, lots of laughs and love are shared in time spent together. The day ends with a sweet "Goodnight, I love you" from Dad. And a whisper, "I love you more" from his little girl.This book is a delightful reminder that spending time together really matters. Simple moments, laughter and knowing you are loved builds lasting relationships.

Just As I Am


Lynn Jaxon - 2019
    The perfect wife, terrific children, a beautiful home and my own business. Em and I were on top of the world. Until...we heard the word inoperable cancer. My entire world came crumbling down around me. I was losing my best friend, the love of my life. My new best friend became a bottle of bourbon. I am now a shell of a man drowning in my pain.MarleyWatching my best friend fade before my eyes is almost more than I can take. Em, and I have been friends since nursing school. I never dreamed when I received that call that I would be here taking care of her, watching her vibrance wither away before my eyes. We had to say goodbye way too soon, but I made her a promise and I intend to keep it. I refuse to let him drown in his sorrows. I only wanted to pull him from the darkness, keep my promise, but life has other plans.Drowning In Total Darkness…..She Became My Light.

Eleven Miles to Oshkosh


Jim Guhl - 2018
    His father, a deputy sheriff, has been murdered by the unknown "Highway 41 Killer." His mom has unraveled. And a goon named Larry Buskin has been pummeling Minnow behind Neenah High.Minnow finds support in the company of his roguish grandfather, his loyal pal Mark, and beautiful Opal Parsons, who has her own worries as the first African American student in their school. When the sheriff seems in no hurry to solve the murder, Minnow must seek justice by partnering with unlikely allies and discovering his own courage.