The Couch in the Yard

by Kate Hoefler, Dena Seiferling (illustrator)

A family takes a nighttime drive to the moon in this love letter to Appalachia, crackling with wonder and warmth.

In this heartfelt and lyrical book, a family in a small Appalachian town spends the evening preparing for a special nighttime tradition. As the sun sets and the sky slips into dusk, they load up a spare couch on a rusty old car and drive into the mountains. With a little imagination and the magic of moonlight, their plain old couch transforms into something so much more.

Animated by the beauty of seemingly abandoned things and the dignity of the people who inhabit these often-overlooked areas, The Couch in the Yard is a deeply layered story, a lilting and lyrical tribute to the beauty of an oft-overlooked American culture. 

Text inspired by author Kate Hoefler’s family drives through Appalachian Ohio and Dena Seiferling’s textured, atmospheric illustrations conjure a fantasy readers will readily believe. Soothing yet fanciful, both lofty and earthy, The Couch in the Yard guarantees sweet dreams and unforgettable fantasies.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Fantasy, Poverty, Magical Realism

48 pages, Hardcover

Published March 25, 2025

About the author

Kate Hoefler received her BA in English and creative writing from Ohio University, and her MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan, where she studied as a Colby Fellow. She is the author of Real Cowboys, Great Big Things, and Rabbit and the Motorbike (with more forthcoming). She makes her home in the rolling hills of Ohio with her two children, a young dog, and an old cat.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story and drive through the hills filled with light, hope, and moondust.

“a moon that is wondrous,
that never will break:
this is the shine
that nothing can take.”

Stunningly beautiful artwork and words. Read it and see!

I do think the author needed to decide between the couch and the car though. We didn’t need both. The couch could have flown! I know mine can. :)

[Anaika · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Pam Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story told in rhythm and rhyme with a backdrop of Appalachia. Be sure to read the author and illustrator notes at the end!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

With rhyming lines and a beat similar to the classic "This Is the House That Jack Built," this picture book reminds readers that there are stories behind those couches and junk cars often seen in yards, especially in the South or in Appalachia. For their owners, they represent possibilities as well as serving of reminds of the past and happy times. The rhyming, lyrical lines will have readers believing that cars can literally fly and dreams can come true. The text and sumptuous illustrations, created with Photoshop, depict a night drive through the mountains perfectly. There are moody double-page spreads that play with the concept of light and dark, pages devoted to the couch, pages highlighting the car, and several double-page spreads that showcase the love between the members of this family, who savor this shared experience that is somehow made more magical and special because it's at night and because it's shared with kin. Their house may be simple, and their car may be old, but they have love and each other. Having ridden through the mountains at night a time or two, I can fully attest to their special splendor during those late hours when the dark, star-filled sky seems to stretch forever, offering endless possibilities.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoefler captures life in Appalachia well in this flight of fantasy.

Told in rhyming couplets, this story detail's an Appalachian family's evening routine of getting their clunker car running, strapping a couch to its rooftop, and rising down the roads of the countryside until the car takes off and goes to the moon and back.

Hoefler doesn't miss a beat in her telling. It reads smoothly aloud and is filled with just the right images for this summertime family adventure in a place where things are laid back and enjoyed.

Dena Seiferling's illustrations were rendered in Photoshop and have a bit of a Stephen Gammell's Song and Dance Man feel to them. They are scratchy and sketchy, with a blurred, dreamy quality in some sequences. Look for their car, several deer, and children in the night sky's stars. I think I see the cow jumping over the moon!

Perfect for a summer night bedtime story!

Highly Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.

[Dalton Lesher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Couch in the Yard is a lyrical and heartfelt story about a family in a small Appalachian town who take part in a cherished nighttime tradition. As evening falls, they load a worn couch onto an old car and head into the mountains, where moonlight and imagination transform the ordinary into something magical. This richly layered tale celebrates the quiet beauty of overlooked places and the dignity of the people who call them home. At first glance, the idea of a couch sitting outside in a yard might seem odd. But, as Hoefler’s poetic storytelling unfolds, that couch becomes a symbol of a safety and fantasy. There’s a sense of peace in every page, even as it acknowledges the complexities of emotions and the quiet weight some children (and adults) carry. I recommend!

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A magical family journey through the rural mountainside in their old family car with a couch tied to the roof. I didn't quite follow the story when the car suddenly takes flight and flies to the moon and back, returning at last to the cozy family home. But the author's note at the back of the book changed my viewpoint and broadened my understanding. "Peaceful world." Old, broken down cars and discarded couches are part of many people's "peaceful world" landscapes, even here in my own western US suburban neighborhood, I've passed couches sitting on curbs awaiting a future fate...

Themes: family, fantasy
Ages: preK-3rd grade
Pub year: 2025

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the highways and byways of Appalachia, you see virtually everything being hauled, so a story about a ratty couch tied to the top of an old junker is not only plausible, it’s realistic. The flight of fancy to the moon is a delightful stretch of the imagination, though it might be a little farfetched for the youngest listeners and hard to follow, even for more experienced readers. Sepia-toned illustrations evoke a bygone time and rusty memories of sentimental junk, yet that star-strewn sky is gorgeous. The Author’s Note confesses her love for underrepresented junker cars and couches, and the illustrator describes how the magic of that night sky came to light.

[Zan Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A family in a small Appalachian town spends the evening preparing for a special nighttime tradition. As the sun sets and the sky slips into dusk, they load up a spare couch on a rusty old car and drive into the mountains. With a little imagination and the magic of moonlight, their plain old couch transforms into something so much more. Animated by the beauty of seemingly abandoned things and the dignity of the people who inhabit these often-overlooked areas, The Couch in the Yard is a deeply layered story, a lilting and lyrical tribute to the beauty of an oft-overlooked American culture

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS]

Goodreads was having issues when I read this, so this is based on what I remember about the latest Hoefler book. Firstly I was in LOVE with Real Cowboys in 2016 when it was released. I read and adored Courage Hats before I realized it was Hoefler -- LOVE that, too. This is a combo of Hoefler's stunning poetic style and her perception of Appalachia. I relate and I love this book, too.

[Trent Escue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book with amazing illustrations. I loved the story behind it and knowing it’s a story about the authors childhood makes it even better in my opinion. I loved that it really encourages imagination and showshow family’s are different especially relating to those who live in the Appalachia area.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The simple tradition of this Appalachian Family is to tie the family couch onto the roof of the car and drive out into the country, and sit and watch twilight and nighttime magical scenery, while inventing mystical stories of terrestrial visits.

[Aolund · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, soothing book about imagination and seeing the beauty in all the world, even in things that may be cast off as junk. Rhyming, has a "this is the house" kind of structure.

Themes: Nighttime, Imagination, Family
Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Representing Appalachia and houses that aren't perfectly cultivated but have couches in their yard, it's a lovely book that I wish didn't veer into the fantasy side but stayed a little more true to spending time with family and the meaning of home.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readers take a journey with an Appalachian family who travel to the moon to watch the beauty around them. Hoefler captures the simple portions of life - a couch and a car, to remind all of us to treasure the simple portions of life.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids outgrew pictures books some time ago, but I was drawn in by this book’s cover and title. Very enjoyable, especially the end notes from the author pointing out how her children would proclaim vistas adults might think of as featuring junk to be “peaceful”.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.

ARC from Edelweiss.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming book about seeing beauty in the mundane.

[Meilin · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love appalachia, whimsy, and the stars!

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A family travels to the moon in a broken-down car. A magical picture book set in Appalachia.

[Rachel Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was lovely. One of my favorite picture books of 2025.

[Marcia]

An imaginative picture book that transcends rural poverty and celebrates family and imagination.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think that I quite connected with the magic in this story and I didn't feel like there was a lot of harmony between the text and pictures.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story about family, love, and a creative perspective of what others might call "junk".

[Tequila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the imagination and rhythmic tone of this story. And, the illustrations are breathtakingly beautiful!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

lyrical. quiet and contemplative

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a family goes for a drive at night with their couch from the yard tied to the roof of their car, unusual adventures ensue. I loved the illustrations and the author and illustrator notes.

[Karen_annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and brings back fond memories of my own Appalachian Ohio upbringing. Humble beginnings. Peaceful world.

[Hailey Corman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a deep story that would be a great read aloud and fun story for kids to listen to. The illustrations are beautiful too.

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. I was confused by this story at first, but the author’s note at the end helped a lot.

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 262