Friendship Tales from the Farm #3: Burton’s Harvest Party
by V. A. Boeholt
Nathaniel P. Jenson, illustrator
Little Five Star Publishing
.
Back Cover: Invitations sent? Yep! And the band is ready to play. But who will help Farmer Green and his grandchildren make final preparations or the fall Harvest party? Food, decorations, activities—there’s so much left to do! With Aunt May sick in bed and Grandma Green away judging the State Quilting Contest, how will Farmer Green, Rod, and Chelsea ever get the job done? No worries! Thanks to Burton, Ribbon, and their little farmyard friends, Farmer Green, his grandchildren, and their eager guests are in for a wonderful Harvest Party surprise.
Opening: The Green Farm fall harvest was finished. Once again, Burton the Scarecrow was watching an empty field. Winter was on its way.
About the Story: Every year, at the end of the harvest, farmers have the traditional Harvest Party to celebrate one more year’s harvest completed. Farmer Green is no different except he has little help getting the party ready. His wife is away and Aunt May is sick.
Farmer Green and the two kids, Rod and Chelsea, arrange bales of hay for tables and chairs, then leave to pick up a big cake for the party. While they are gone, Burton and Ribbon, along with their small animal friends, whip up the barn for the best party of the year. They throw lights across the ceiling, put out tables covered with clothes, and arrange other fruit and vegetables to become game equipment, just for the night. The Harvest Party is a smash. Farmer Green is the only one who knows the truth. He repays those who helped in a very unusual way.
What I Thought: Burton’ s Harvest Party has colorful illustrations with large, close-up images of the main characters. The oranges and reds clearly mark the season as Fall. I have not read any Farmer Green/Burton books prior to this one, so I am not familiar with Farmer Green’s wife or Aunt May. I like that Farmer Green decides to have the Harvest Party rather than cancelling at the last moment. The kids try to get involved with the preparations as much as possible.
The star of this book is Burton, the main scarecrow on Farmer Green’s land, and his “love” Ribbon, the female scarecrow. It is clear these two scarecrows are together but that relationship is inferred by the reader—me. When the farmer and his grandchildren leave the farm, the scarecrows and a bunch of little animals go to work making the barn one of the best party places that Fall. Then, happy to have helped Farmer Green, the animals fall back into hiding and watch the festivities.
I like that the story moves along briskly. A mouse enters, having followed Burton’s straw that fell off as Farmer Green carried it to the barn. Burton uses this time to explain to the mouse what Farmer Green wants to do the next day and why the Harvest Party is important. What makes these inanimate objects—Burton and Ribbon—come to life is unknown, at least in this installment of the series.
It appears that Farmer Green has a good idea how the barn was transformed into a party room. At the end of a great night, Farmer Green is very appreciative of the animals work and treats them to a grand and wonderful treat for all their hard work
Burton’s Harvest Party quietly shows selflessness, the importance of friendship cultivating those friendships, and selfless teamwork. In line with these themes, the author and publisher are donating a percentage of sales to the Feed the Children Foundation
.
Friendship Tales from the Farm #3: Burton’s Harvest Party 
by V. A. Boeholt website blog facebook twitter
Nathaniel P. Jenson, illustrator website facebook
Little Five Star Publishing website blog facebook twitter
Released September, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-58985-208-2
36 pages
Age 4 to 8
.
© 2013 by Little Five Star Publishing used with permission
Text copyright © 2013 by V. A. Boeholt
Illustrations copyright © 2013 by Nathaniel P. Jenson
.
Little Five Star Publishing is an imprint of Five Star Publishing
.
.
Kids Lit Review 
Yes, this sounds like a great book with fun illustrations. I like the lessons of giving of oneself to help out others. And all scarecrows, as well as bunnies, squirrels, etc. come to life whenever they want to and mostly when people aren’t watching.. Didn’t you know that? Really?
LikeLike
I didn’t know that. I thought a magic forest had to be nearby. Now I know and understand how all those animals talked and the scarecrows moved and smiled such huge grins. I’m still learning about writing for kids.
LikeLike
Looks like a fun book! 🙂
LikeLike
It is a fun book. I think the others in this series are just as nice and fun.
So what is the score? Have you beaten me to more books first reviewed? I was keeping track–not really–but then you threw that fundraiser at me and I got caught off track. $3000 and some is a good amount. Great job Erik. If anything ever happens to me I want you on my side! 😀
I hope Renn is doing well. He has been through it and back again. You’ve got one tough friend, Erik. I love that you stood by him like you have. You’re a good kid. 🙂
LikeLike
This looks like a really sweet book and the illustrations are so rich with color! And I can tell you, I’m a fan of any book that teaches kindness and selflessness, which is also reinforced by the fact that percentages go to FEED THE CHILDREN. The trailer for the “Kind” book was very cute, but the “Harvest” one didn’t work 😦
Thanks for the review, Sue! 😀
LikeLike
The “Harvest” trailer was removed by YouTube. (Not – NOT – due to author or publisher.) The illustrations are very rich in color. Again, where were you when I was looking for words to describe the illustrations? The story is cute. I am betting the first book explains how the animals and the two scarecrows get together. And how the scarecrows coe to life. I am very interested in reading that first book.
I also like that part of the proceeds will go to Feed the Children. Another publisher, Vanita Books, always sends part of the proceeds to a charitable foundation or group. Every single title is treated this way. Plus, Vanita Books makes the king=ds of books you would like. I’ll get another one so you can see the quality. http://vanitabooks.com/
LikeLike
Sue, I wasn’t aware of Vanita Books, so thank for that. I clicked on the link and first book’s title really got me: DON’T DANGLE YOUR PARTICIPLE. I’m sorry, but I find that VERY funny! In the same way I find “underpants” funny every time I see the word in a title 😀 lol
LikeLike
Well, maybe I can review it. Who knows. I do try to please the readers, but underwear may be a bit too much. But one never knows. I did one called Knees and the cover showed bare knees. Pretty risque. 🙂
LikeLike