Poppy and Pa

by Kristyn Jewell, Chelsea Peters (illustrator)

"POPPY & PA presents a beautiful opportunity to engage young readers with the wonders of nature and inculcate the enthusiasm for friluftsliv in a new generation."

"Kristyn Jewell's POPPY & PA is a love letter to childhood summers with fluid prose, sparkling illustrations by Chelsea Peters, and plain-hearted affection for family and nature."


Poppy cannot wait for summer to arrive so she can travel to her favourite place with her favourite person. When she and her father turn onto the dirt road that takes them to their family cottage, Poppy leaves life's worries behind. Follow Poppy, Pa, and rest of the their extended family, as they experience the magic that unfolds over the course of a day in Muskoka, Canada. Live in Poppy's vivid imagination, which flourishes in the safety and beauty of her surroundings, and discover the difference one person can make in the life of a child.

Genres: Childrens

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2024

About the author

Kristyn Jewell, a lifelong reader, wrote her first story at the age of 39, inspired by her father and his enduring legacy. She works by day as a family physician, but her true love is the pursuit of hygge, found through travel, design, wildlife, cozy fires and lattes. After living throughout Canada, in Vancouver and Toronto, she and her husband returned to Dundas, Ontario, the quaint valley town that she grew up in, to raise their family. She passes on her love of nature and animals to her two boys and still spends as much time as she can by the water.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and nostalgic book about the family summer gathering at the cottage in Muskoka, Canada. Sweet story of childhood memories BEAUTIFULLy illustrated by Chelsea Peters. Wonderful book for young and old and anyone who loves their time at the cottage.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story. This is almost what you’d call a child’s memoir. Every summer Poppy, who tells the story, used to go to the lake with her Pa and their spaniel, Benny. In the book, Poppy tells of their swimming fun, their tubing, and all the fun water things you might have done as a kid at the lake. Heck, all the summer fun things many of us wished we had been able to do at the lake:)

This is written for the perfect middle-grade reader. It has substance but also is basically easy to read and easily understood. There are a few Swedish words, but all are explained very clearly.

This will sound funny and, I’m not sure it should matter to a reader, but I thought the story was about “Poppy and her Pa.” Suddenly, her cousins were there, and then her grandpa and grandma. It was a story about Poppy and her Pa and then there just seemed to be a houseful of people. Doesn’t matter nor break the story, but I will admit I looked back and read it over a couple of times thinking I must have missed how they got there.

Anyway, the story moves forward with a fun time at the lake. This is not a mystery, not a new Swedish version of The Hardy Boys. It is just a delightful read about fun on the lake as a child in the summer with not just your Pa, but several other family members too.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful memories of summers at the lake!

Poppy & Pa by Kristyn Jewell is a lovely children’s book about the author’s memories of summers at the lake with her father and extended family. The narrative beautifully conveys the love and joy of time with those she loved, especially those special moments with the father who took the opportunity to share these impactful times with his young daughter. Readers can envision the reminiscences and almost feel the cool lake waters and summer breezes while listening to the sound of the loons across the lake, all dearly held within the author’s heart.

Artist Chelsea Peters vividly illustrates the story with gorgeous images of the characters and everyday items decorated with whimsical folkish designs.

I recommend POPPY & PA to elementary-grade readers and older folk looking for a lovely trip back in time or a lovely, fresh new selection for reading aloud to young listeners.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Please note: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.)

My Review:

What a delightful, sweet story to share with children. For any adult who spent summers at a cottage when young, this will certainly bring back special memories and give you a way to visually share those memories with your children.

Ms. Jewell's short chapter book highlights the summers that Poppy and Pa had with their extended family. Days spent swimming, playing together, eating, reading, roasting marshmallows. Days to revel in sun, sand, family and memories. Days to learn about and appreciate their Scandinavian traditions.

The lovely illustrations throughout the novel by Chelsea Peters showcase all these summer activities.

Having spent many summers with my own children at a cottage, this was a nostalgic reminder of those carefree, fun days. It also brought back memories visiting with my Norwegian relatives.

I would highly recommend this short novel to both parents and grandparents to read with their children.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank Kristyn Jewell, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for the eBook Kindle copy of Poppy and Pa that I won in the Giveaway.

The author shared her summer experiences at a lake in Sweden where she spent time with her Pa and extended family. It is beautifully written account of her feelings of peace and getting close to nature. She also shares Swedish traditions and foods that her family only made in summers on the lake.

The story made me think of my childhood trips to lakes in Minnesota with my family when I was young and how much I enjoyed the peace and comfort of nature and spending time with my Dad fishing and enjoying fresh air and good food. Anyone with these memories is lucky to have them growing up.

[Joanna Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so beautifully written that it makes you feel as if you are alive within the pages. It really draws upon the essence of a beautiful fun filled childhood. It’s a summer bursting with love, laughter and play with nature and family at its core.
In a world filled with so much distraction and technology I think books like this are essential to help children and parents come back to the heart of what is important in life. You can never underestimate the power of just being and this story is about being, loving and living without fear. I can’t already taste Grandma’s spiced cookies a desperately want to go swimming in the shimmering lake.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was beautiful, nostalgic, and a fun read. Getting to slip into fond memories of summers spent with family was a wonderful way to close up summer as we head into fall. Each chapter is its own mini-story, and you could easily read a chapter to a little one before bed, or early middle grade readers could read it on their own. Jewell did a great job of bringing the story to life with the descriptions, and the illustrations scattered throughout supplement it well. The whole book left me with a warm fuzzy feeling, and brought up my own memories of fun summers, and the people who made them special.

[Joyffree · Rating 4 out of 5]

We join Poppy and her family as they visit the Grans
No outside distractions
Just the family, nature, traditions, and memories that will last a lifetime

A sweet story that captured most of the children's (3 and up) attention.
A bit nostalgic for me.
Vivid, creative, illustrations not only brought the story and the characters to life but also prompted some great discussions about the experiences Poppy was having

Another wonderful addition to our bookshelf

[Christine Woinich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. It was full of love of family, traditions (old country and new), and outdoors. Poppy spent time with her pa, cousins, grandparents. They cooked, ate, fished, camped, roasted marshmallows, and more. I loved the educational side and the illustrations to accompany the story. A great book to gift and read at bedtime.

I received a copy through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.

[Robert Gasperson · Rating 5 out of 5]

so many shared memories

Parents will enjoy reading this book to their children because of all of the memories many of us have that are very similar. Swimming in the lake, being pulled by a boat on an inner-tube across the waters, eating s’mores by campfire, and so many more . The artwork creates a sense of happiness. Thank you for bringing joy to my heart.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely chapter story about a girl spending the summer with Grandpa and her cousins. Such fun and exciting activities! The illustrations were wonderful. The words were intelligent and poetic as the girl relishes on the memories she was making.

“Children of the lake, together forever. Just the two of us, Poppy and Pa.”

It’s a quick and easy read—one that can be enjoyed by anyone.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable story about family bonds and values with absolutely gorgeous illustrations.

Please note I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and read it many times. I will add it to my family collection and make it one I share with my kids and grandchildren.

[Hannah Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Sweet

Such a sweet story about the joys of a young life. I felt like I was there with the amazing imagery and descriptions. Just beautiful.