Quinn Goes to the Farm by Mary Mueller
Quinn Goes to the Farm (LifeRich Publishing) is a simple story — no heavy messages, just pure clean storytelling about a little boy bonding with his grandmother on a fun adventure.
The author, Mary Mueller, used to pick strawberries with her family at a local farm near her home in Minnesota. She recalls that experience through Quinn, who is dropped off at Grandma Mary’s house for a strawberry-picking expedition.
Mueller captures the boy’s excitement and details the dialogue between grandson and grandparent and the events that will define their day. As they head to the farmer’s wagon, they discuss the many ways they like to eat strawberries — as jam, with peanut butter, even on ice cream.
As the day goes on, Quinn is grateful that Grandma has accounted for pretty much everything — hats, sunglasses, snacks, water. She also enlightens him on some subtleties of the trip, like how Quinn might have to look under leaves to find some hidden fruits, and how the farmer’s scarecrow will chase the birds away.
The book’s friendly, pleasing illustrations display a variety of happy, productive and diverse people basking in the full joy of their activities.
As well as being a simple tale, the book serves to help explain the circle of life and tradition in a family. Grandma started picking strawberries with her own grandmother when she was six years old.
“I will show you pictures when we are back home,” she tells Quinn. “I even brought a camera to take a picture of you. Some day you can show your grandchildren.”
Quinn seems too young to comprehend that someday he will be a grandparent with grandchildren of his own to take strawberry picking.
“You will meet a girl, get married, have children, and they will have children,” she tells the boy. “You will be sad when your children move away but happy when they bring babies to visit you.”
Grandma explains the loneliness that can set in, but also the joy of knowing her family is growing and prospering.
Sometimes, stories need not beat children over the head with life lessons or hidden jokes. Sometimes, it’s pleasure enough to recount a warm, charming experience using fundamental words and comforting pictures and let young readers smile with wonder. In Quinn Goes to the Farm, that serves as satisfaction enough as a grandmother and grandson create a lasting bond.
