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Maple Hill Farm
Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm
Meet the animals of Maple Hill Farm and learn about their antics as they bring joy, laughter, and life to the people who live in a house that needs painting at the end of a road full of holes.
Two dogs, five horses, a pig, some geese, lots of chickens, a few cows, a few goats, several sheep, and four special cats—these are the animals at Maple Hill Farm.
With simple text that is both affectionate and wry, and irresistible illustrations that burst with personality, Alice and Martin Provensen bring their barnyard friends to life for the delight of animal lovers both young and old.
Two dogs, five horses, a pig, some geese, lots of chickens, a few cows, a few goats, several sheep, and four special cats—these are the animals at Maple Hill Farm.
With simple text that is both affectionate and wry, and irresistible illustrations that burst with personality, Alice and Martin Provensen bring their barnyard friends to life for the delight of animal lovers both young and old.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
5 people are currently reading
1525 people want to read
About the author
Alice Provensen
83 books48 followersAlice Provensen collaborated with her late husband, Martin, on numerous highly acclaimed picture books, including the Caldecott Medal-winning The Glorious Flight and Nancy Willard's Newbery Medal-winning A Visit to William Blake's Inn, which was also a Caldecott Honor Book. The Provensens have been on the New York Times list of the Ten Best Illustrated Books eight times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
December 12, 2011
I've read a lot of children's books to my daughter over the last couple of years. But, this is only the second one that I've been inspired to review here afterward, and its the first to make me start laughing so hard that I couldn't keep reading it. In fact there were several pages that had me laughing pretty hard.
The Goodreads blurb describes this book as having a "wry" sense of humor, and I think that word fits perfectly. Its a charming book about all the various animals who reside on Maple Hill Farm, but this isn't a white-washed or idealized farm, and the animals are depicted in an entertaining matter-of-fact way. These animals don't talk or wear clothes, instead they sleep, fight, chase each other, break free of their pens, raise babies and occasionally die. That last bit might make the book slightly off-puting to people who don't like their children's books to occasionally get a little dark, but I felt like the tone probably more accurately reflects what life on a farm full of animals would be like.
Highly recommended for kids who are interested in farm life, and for parents looking for something with a dry wit to it.
The Goodreads blurb describes this book as having a "wry" sense of humor, and I think that word fits perfectly. Its a charming book about all the various animals who reside on Maple Hill Farm, but this isn't a white-washed or idealized farm, and the animals are depicted in an entertaining matter-of-fact way. These animals don't talk or wear clothes, instead they sleep, fight, chase each other, break free of their pens, raise babies and occasionally die. That last bit might make the book slightly off-puting to people who don't like their children's books to occasionally get a little dark, but I felt like the tone probably more accurately reflects what life on a farm full of animals would be like.
Highly recommended for kids who are interested in farm life, and for parents looking for something with a dry wit to it.
June 5, 2009
This afternoon, my son threw a fit because I refused to read this book to him at naptime. I understand why he was upset-- it's a truly excellent book with beautiful illustrations that move well on the page and show the movement and spirit of animals as well as their likeness; and playful, non-condescending text-- but I have read it (at least) twice a day for the past three days, and I had already read it first thing this morning, and I wanted to read something shorter. Plus, I'm mean.
But, I'll probably read it again later. Maybe at bedtime.
But, I'll probably read it again later. Maybe at bedtime.
September 25, 2023
This is a fun read, with great text and illustrations. Set on a farm, there are many animals, both domestic and wild, that are part of life on this farm.
January 6, 2020
This is a book that loves animals and children! Sooo precious!!
October 1, 2018
This is an adorable picture book portraying the friends (animals) that live on Maple Hill Farm. It’s cute and witty and funny and expresses how animals can be such an important part of our lives - even though they drive us crazy at times. :)
June 12, 2010
My two youngest (ages 6 and 3) have been rather cranky and rowdy during school lately so I chose this book to see if they'd sit still. Boy did they ever. I had planned on only reading a few pages today, but we read the whole thing. All four of the boys (even the 9-yr-olds) were crowded around.
The book is very simple, talking about the animals on a farm and their personalities and funny things they do. They loved it. It was like visiting someone's farm or having a guided tour into a world we don't experience living where we do. Everyone has their favorite animal and they are talking about them like they are friends.
The illustrations are simple, but convey a lot of movement and humor. The author doesn't gloss over death, but treats is naturally. They were very sad to learn that the illustrator had passed on and were even sadder when we realized the book had been written 35 years ago so most of the animals had probably died.
The boys said it should have 10 stars and I'm sure we'll be reading it again.
Very highly recommended.
June 2010 - We read it again tonight. Actually, I've read it to them 3 or 4 times before that too. Whenever we read a story about animals they always say, "Hey, that looks like Ichabod" or "I think that's Gooseberry's kitten." They totally know and love the animals in this book.
The book is very simple, talking about the animals on a farm and their personalities and funny things they do. They loved it. It was like visiting someone's farm or having a guided tour into a world we don't experience living where we do. Everyone has their favorite animal and they are talking about them like they are friends.
The illustrations are simple, but convey a lot of movement and humor. The author doesn't gloss over death, but treats is naturally. They were very sad to learn that the illustrator had passed on and were even sadder when we realized the book had been written 35 years ago so most of the animals had probably died.
The boys said it should have 10 stars and I'm sure we'll be reading it again.
Very highly recommended.
June 2010 - We read it again tonight. Actually, I've read it to them 3 or 4 times before that too. Whenever we read a story about animals they always say, "Hey, that looks like Ichabod" or "I think that's Gooseberry's kitten." They totally know and love the animals in this book.
April 13, 2022
Written in a similar style to Richard Scarry’s Busy Town books, this is more of a book to slowly peruse over than to sit down and read with your child. But that’s just me.
Full of all the animals that reside at Maple Hill Farm, you’ll learn about Max the Cat, Big Shot the rooster who I’m afraid to say got taken by a fox, and why geese are perfect… or nearly so.
Told with humor and slightly raw details of farm life, your kiddo will enjoy looking at this one!
Ages: 5 - 12
Full of all the animals that reside at Maple Hill Farm, you’ll learn about Max the Cat, Big Shot the rooster who I’m afraid to say got taken by a fox, and why geese are perfect… or nearly so.
Told with humor and slightly raw details of farm life, your kiddo will enjoy looking at this one!
Ages: 5 - 12
February 18, 2009
This book changed my life. It was my favorite book as a child, I borrowed it from the library so many times, the librarian told my mother that she should buy it for me. I still have my copy of Our Animal Friends, and it is one of my most treasured possessions. No childhood should be without Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm.
February 28, 2009
To this day the absolute favorite book of my childhood. I still return to it often and an amazed by the staying power of the humor and sweetness. I wish it was still in print in hardcover. My copy is falling apart from all the love it has received.
July 15, 2020
This one pulls no punches and I appreciated that about it. This is not your typical animals on the farm book. This is an honest look at how life for animals on the farm plays out, and not all survive, but that's the way of things. Keep in mind that as a read aloud it will take some time, this one is more dense than most children's books. I enjoyed it, as an adult, far more than I expected!
January 19, 2011
Perhaps the best animal children's book of all time.
August 9, 2016
This is a wonderful book by the Provensens, as is their The Year At Maple Hill Farm. I think this one is more humorous. Both are very entertaining.
July 28, 2019
I ADORE this book! It had me laughing throughout, & I would recommend it to any animal lover. 😻
May 25, 2023
What a delight! Our older one read this and promptly decided to then read it out loud to her younger sibling and me. 😊 It’s funny like the Richard Scarry books (but also somewhat different) and rather sweet.
July 18, 2020
Aww I love this book! I think this is my favorite kids book! It is so amazingly cute, funny, and entertaining. It reminds me of my friends farm
May 19, 2023
This felt so true, and I loved it.
December 23, 2021
I still own this 1984 edition. It was one of my favorite books as a child. I even named my cat Max. I highly recommend this book to anyone with children, especially those with children who love animals.
June 16, 2009
4 1/2 stars. THE COLOR KITTENS has always been a very favorite picture book of mine, but I had never seen this book by the same authors until I noticed it on SLJ's (SLJ/Elizabeth Bird/Fuse #8) excellent list of "Top 100 Picture Books Poll Results". I wanted to look at all of the books that I hadn't seen on that list (there weren't a huge number, so I was curious about the few that I'd missed over the years--most were very worth seeking out). I love this one, and am so glad that I got to read it. My 3rd/5th gr sons also loved it, as did my librarian husband, who grew up on a farm. There are lots of laughs to be had, endearing animal characters, and much to be learned about farm life from this delightful title. The DCPL copy that I read had the original cover, but I see that it's definitely still in print with a new cover.
Here's the link to the list, for anybody who hasn't yet seen it:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/b...
Here's the link to the list, for anybody who hasn't yet seen it:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/b...
November 23, 2008
Favorite kids book, poignant, funny, sweet: lots of pets and farm animals and their characteristics. Quirky, not the usual fare. Easy to read repeatedly to little children.
April 7, 2009
Still my favorite picture book of all.
July 23, 2010
this is so charming.
April 19, 2015
Not at all the typical generic farm animals book.
February 22, 2008
I read this book before I go to sleep sometimes.
January 23, 2023
This is one of the influential children’s books of all time. My wife Elaine and I have read it to our children when they were very young. It had a profound effect on them and us. It was very cleverly written with beautiful illustrations. Having enjoyed the company of numerous pets over the the years we really appreciated how well the Provenson family conveyed the behaviors and personalities of their farm animal friends.
After moving homes a couple times we wanted to find the Friends book to share with others. We finally located a copy to our great joy.
The home and emotion conveyed are very real and emotionally compelling. This is such a wonderful story about a family, their animal friends and the sorrow we feel when our prcious friends are gone.
This book and its authors deserve a hundred stars for such a wonderful story book of love, fun and emotional feeling.
After moving homes a couple times we wanted to find the Friends book to share with others. We finally located a copy to our great joy.
The home and emotion conveyed are very real and emotionally compelling. This is such a wonderful story about a family, their animal friends and the sorrow we feel when our prcious friends are gone.
This book and its authors deserve a hundred stars for such a wonderful story book of love, fun and emotional feeling.
February 17, 2018
Podcaster Jesse Thorn raved about this book on his show Bullseye. I was primed to fall in love with it from the moment I opened the first page. Especially because we soon meet a big cat named Max. There is something timeless about the story. In fact, there isn't so much a story as a series of introductions and images that continue to name and enumerate the animals at Maple Hill Farm. Perhaps the magic is that the story is plainly and directly told. There are wonders to discover in these pages.
This was a gift book that we picked up for some friends. This will not be the last time I will give this book as a gift.
This was a gift book that we picked up for some friends. This will not be the last time I will give this book as a gift.
February 8, 2018
4.5 Stars. 4 stars for text and 5 stars for illustrations. I discovered this children's book in a recent O magazine entry and in my search for children's literature (lots of little ones being born in my life this year) I picked up a copy to gift and in my reading of the book I am happy to report that this looks like the kind of book a child would treasure reading.
November 14, 2018
My 15-year old son was asking about favorite books when he was a young reader. I immediately thought of this one, and found it on the shelves, and sure enough, he remembered many of the pages and the funny anecdotes. This book feels real. It's not sugarcoated ("this dog killed sheep and had to be put away (as the saying goes)", but it has tons of heart and a wry sense of humor.
August 1, 2019
I had the opportunity to visit with a friend and check out a few boxes of children's books she had kept from her childhood and her son's. The books are quite old and many are out of print, so it was a wonderful chance to revisit with some stories I read when I was young and to discover others I'd never seen before.
November 4, 2021
Delightful! Not only did I learn a thing or two about farm animals, I fell in love with the animals at the farm as much as Alice has! Instead of just listing all the animals you might find on a farm, the Provensens introduce them to us and they stand out as individuals. And, yes, the humor is winning also!
March 6, 2025
A picture book from the 1970s I am just now reading. It is very quaint and the animal names are perfect. With some picture books, the illustrations are the high point. No offense to the artistic abilities of the Provensens, but the text impressed me far more in this case. However, I was throw off by the inclusion of a full page of dead dogs. Be still my bleeding heart.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews