Tom T. Brightens Toby’s Day
Sia Kellie
My daughter and I love this book it's very educational. We can't wait to get all the other series.
Kathy J Perry, author
Parents of elementary school children will cherish LK Houk’s Down Home on the Farm series. Kids will love to read them over and over and begin to understand the inner story within each. The books are skillfully written, a rare quality found in children’s literature today.
James R. Valentine, COL, US Army, Medical Department, Retired
Tom T.’s a wise one, indeed, and this series sets a visually stimulating stage for his heartening messages. Mrs. Houk helpfully adds discussion questions that will provoke more conversations about her books and the tales they tell. I really loved this book and its vibrant presentation and happily look forward to more of what Tom T. has to say and why. Very well done, Mrs. Houk! Kudos!
Sidney the Sad Little Skunk
Maria Olga Brophy, Retired Financial Officer, Inter-American Development Bank, Washington D.C.
This book is a beautiful tale, a wonderful story that gives life lessons to children and adults as well. The beautiful illustrations help describe the story in a very attractive way. They make you feel as part of the story, and enrich your soul.
The fact that is is written in two languages is remarkable.
It sends a very strong and positive message to a society that is in so much need of this style of literature.
Ronald B. Ellis, Representative 47th District, House of Representatives, State of Kansas
Having grown up on a farm and being a rancher all my life, farm life provides a perfect backdrop to the lasting truths and important life lessons Mrs. Houk shares in her books. The book’s narrator, Tom. T., is a simple endearing character, filled with wisdom he delightfully dispenses as he tells his tale using barnyard imagery. His stories remind children that honesty, patience, and love are constant and enduring needs of all creatures.
As a teacher for 37 years, I greatly appreciate the activities in the back of the books. These exercises help children hone reading comprehension and critical thinking mastery, two very important skills for every child to be academically successful.
More than anything, Mrs. Houk provides books every parent and grandparent can give to a child with confidence in the message. Children need high-quality moral instruction, and parents need character-building materials to engage children in “teachable moments” and challenging discussions.
This book has it all. Entertainment, education, and moral development. Every home with children should have the Down Home on the Farm series. These books will stand the test of time.
A Trail to Follow
Chaplain Col. Curt Bowers, USA Ret., Director of Chaplaincy, Ret., Church of the Nazarene, Lenexa, KS
Having observed the Houk family over many years in the military, as well as on farm and ranch settings, I feel they are exceptionally qualitied to share these amazing farm vignettes from their personal experiences.
Katy, as we know her, has done a superb job developing a series of books that children will love to read. Her writings have captured the essence needed to communicate uplifting life lessons and interesting tales to stir up the imaginations of children. These books are truly well-written and beautifully illustrated.
Parents and teachers will certainly enjoy having these books in their libraries. Having the books written in two languages is especially interesting and will pique the curiosity of both English and Spanish-speaking readers.
Janet E. H. Fogh, Head of School, Maranatha Christian Academy, Shawnee, KS
The stories Mrs. LK Houk has lovingly written are modern day parables for children about helping others, understanding and encouraging others, the power of an apology, the importance of surrounding yourself with good friends and examples, and respecting your elders. The stories are also great discussion starters for parents and teachers as the children respond to the messages of the story.
Including the Spanish translation for each story is a powerful addition to the usefulness of her books. Our school purchased a set of books for our Spanish students so they could have practice in reading books in Spanish and discussing them in Spanish. The books have been an excellent supplement to our World Language curriculum.
Mrs. Houk’s series, Down Home on the Farm, are truly heirloom books, ones that can be treasured and handed down from one generation to another. As a grandmother and an educator of over 30 years, I thoroughly cherish these books and will continue building a set of them for each of my grandchildren. Well done, Mrs. Houk! I am thankful for you and your gift of love through your stories.
A Job for Dancer
Nellie and Layla Boyts, Homeschool Mom and daughter, Vancouver, BC, Canada
“Wonderful” is the word that immediately came out of my daughter’s mouth after reading Tom T.’s Tale. In my humble opinion, LK Houk’s stories are the American counterpart to James Herriot’s Treasury for Little Children. I hope these tales inspire empathy, hope, and joy in the hearts of your littles as it has done in ours. These heartwarming tales from Down Home on the Farm have a special place on our bookshelf of living books.
Layla’s Review:
I want to tell Aunt Katy that I care about these stories so much because it makes feel happy. It makes me feel loved by my family."
Keith VanHorn, DDS, Lawrence, KS
These tales of life on the farm are well-written and full of detail. My children love reading them. Each story has a great moral which children can learn. These morals and stories have served as great family discussion starters. Another added benefit my children love is that these tales are also in Spanish. As learners of a second language, my children enjoy reading in Spanish to test their comprehension. Overall, my family is extremely impressed with these stories!