Light-hearted and engaging: My review of "Life with Lily" by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher

about the book...

For a child, every day is a thing of wonder. And for six-year-old Lily Lapp, every day is a new opportunity for blessings, laughter, family, and a touch of mischief. As she explores her world, goes to school, spends time with her family, and gets into a bit of trouble with her friends, Lily learns what it means to be Amish and what it means to grow up. From getting a new teacher to welcoming a new sibling, Lily's life is always full of adventure.

The first of four charming novels that chronicle the gentle way of the Amish through the eyes of a young girl, Life with Lily gives children ages 8-12 a fascinating glimpse into the life of the Amish--and lots of fun and laughter along the way. It combines the real-life stories of growing up Amish from Mary Ann Kinsinger and the bestselling writing of Amish fiction and nonfiction author Suzanne Woods Fisher. With charming illustrations throughout, this series is sure to capture the hearts of readers young and old.

my review....

Bringing to mind the treasured Little House on the Prairie Books, “Life with Lily” is written in a light-hearted, engaging manner for young readers aged 8 to 12. Each chapter of the book recounts a different adventure or moment of learning for Lily, whether finding Lily driving her own pony and cart, rescuing her young brother from a wild dog, or getting into mischief with the sometimes mean-spirited Mandy Mast.  The book allows readers a peek into what it would be like to grow up Amish, learning to work hard and play hard too, learning about the importance of family and treating others fairly and with love. “Life with Lily” makes me wish that more families were like Lily’s, with loving parents, and fun adventures around every corner which don’t involve television, video games or hand-held devices! I did wonder if the book was a bit long for the age group that it is intended for, as it is well over 200 pages. At the same time, it offers a good opportunity to cuddle up with your child and read some of the chapters together and talk about why the Amish choose to live the way they do, and the benefits of living life more simply. Despite being set in an Amish community, the story is one that all children are sure to identify with as Lily encounters new teachers, questionable friends, and even sees the effects of racism.

Life with Lily is a great start to a promising new series for young readers, and I give it a solid recommendation and a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

about the authors...

Mary Ann Kinsinger was raised Old Order Amish in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. She met and married her husband, whom she knew from school days and started a family. After they chose to leave the Amish church, Mary Ann began a blog, A Joyful Chaos, as a way to capture her warm memories of her childhood for her own children. From the start, this blog found a ready audience and even captured the attention of key media players, such as the influential blog AmishAmerica and the New York Times. She lives in Pennsylvania.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, The Search, The Keeper, and The Haven, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Christy Award finalist and a Carol Award finalist. She is the host of internet radio show Amish Wisdom and a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. For more information, please visit www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

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