My Farm

by Alison Lester

The author-illustrator of Imagine provides an intimate, personal account of what life is like growing up on an Australian farm as she herds cattle, helps her mother deliver a calf, and receives her first pony.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Australia, Nonfiction, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 27, 1994

About the author

Has a son Lachie Hume, who is also a published children's book author.

Reviews

[Karen Witzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of mine and my daughter's favorites of all time. You can feel the love. The joyous tone begins with the dedication, in which the author thanks her parents for the wonderful childhood that the book goes on to describe.

[Debbie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

My life on the country is very similar to Alison Lester's book, My Farm, and she has captured the true essence of what living on land means for Australian children. For a part of my life I lived on a large sheep station and see the strong correlations from life on a farm by the sea to life in Australia's outback. There is no better place for a child to be creative than living on a farm. I enjoyed reading this story and look forward to giving a personalised signed copy of this book as a gift for my grandson this coming Christmas. He lives on a farm and will enjoy a life similar to Alison's childhood.

I very much recommend this book because it captures a mixture of today's and bygone childhoods of kids who live on the land; with not an iPad or computer in sight. The illustrations are fun.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Farm is definitely a book made with love. Loosely based on Alison Lester's childhood, this is a simple story of a year in the life of a family living on a farm by the sea. The events are ordinary - lots of playing, working, riding, caring for animals - and not particularly exciting or dramatic, yet she made them all seem joyous and funny. The carefree children, wide-open spaces, outdoorsy life and distinctive landscape all add up to an idyllic, quintessentially Australian childhood.

My Farm is a great example of what I love about Alison Lester's works - her eye for detail, gentle humour and her celebration of everyday life.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so wanted to live the country life as a kid, like my mother did, like Alison did. Thankfully Lester's My Farm allows me and Generation Z a glorious full immersion experience without actually being there. There should be more kids on ponies, innovative play, and on-the-land-adventure in our kids' lives today. A fabulous recollection of one of Lester's most memorable years as a child growing up on a farm by the sea, some 25 years old and not an electronic device in site. Nice one.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes me back to childhood at the family farms.
So many memories, and a whole lot of fun.
I love the transition of the seasons and the way time can be seen passing within this environment.
This story is entertaining in so many ways. The characters feel so recognisable as does the Australian life and spaces.
It is a beautiful depiction of an Australian childhood, and another wonderful Australian story that has endured the seasons for over thirty years.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so great! So many adventures that the children in this book experienced, living life outside on a farm! I wish all children could experience this!
Fresh air, exercise and interaction with animals!

[Lara Bate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to teach children about farm life.

[Pearly Sprinkles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always been a huge Alison Lester fan from childhood, but the beautiful and undistllled descriptions and illustrations of country Australia hold a special place in my heart.

[Danielle Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I like most about this book is that everything the kids do has to do with their own family. Family sticks together and is always there for the kids to have fun, and I loved the part where the daughter saves the cattle and feels like a hero. The book just shows children how farm life involves love from the family as well as great responsibility to do jobs as well.

[ConnieC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this on a library shelf and sat down and read it. Loved it. It's become one of my very favorites. It reminds me of my childhood growing up out in Taylor. Ah, the good ol' days. Very descriptive and just a fun story of things we did on the farm.

[Anberlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just discovered one of my childhood favourite books. :D

[Jeremiah Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites for reading to the kids. A great little slice of childlife.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

My three year old loves this. Lots of detail about farm life and a country childhood. Recommended for the horse-mad, too.

[Georgie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are simply beautiful.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting because it was Australia, but seemed random memories throughout the year.