From Publishers Weekly
Set in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, A Humble Life: Plain Poems by Linda Oatman High chronicles the simple life of the area's Mennonite and Amish people in works like "Brand New Lamb" and "Barn Raising Day" ("Baking pies/ for barn raising day, we pray/ that no lightning strikes/ again."). Bill Farnsworth's exquisite oil-on-linen illustrations bring the setting to life.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Gr 1-5-A look at the lives of Amish and Mennonite people in Pennsylvania Dutch country. "A humble life/is mine,/and it's a fine existence,/rich with simple gifts/and plain innocence-." This opening line from the book's first poem encapsulates the theme perfectly. Melodic prose exemplifies the simple life, yet deep faith, of the hardworking people. Because of their captivating consonance, lines like "swallowing,/wallowing in love" and "clattering black buggies/filled with-chattering, slicked children" just beg to be read aloud. These poems, teamed with Farnsworth's sun-washed oil illustrations, can be introduced in a storytime; the entire book provides a wonderfully crafted peek into a lifestyle that may be unfamiliar to many children. The selections follow a year as seasons change and tasks range from barn raising, fishing and planting, birthing a calf, and attending church services. A Humble Life is "pure as clean rain trickling/upon our freshly-painted picket/fence." The words may be easy to read, the images common, but the seamless meshing of words and illustrations creates anything but "plain poems." Can't visit an Amish village? This book is a highly recommended substitute.
Sharon Korbeck, Waupaca Area Public Library, WI
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
