Baker Publishing Group ~ The Adventures of Lily Lapp {Schoolhouse Review}

I grew up in a small town in Missouri surrounded by a thriving Amish community. It was not uncommon for us to see the buggies hitched up to the post at the grocery store. I was fascinated with the Amish children when I was a child. My dad would barter his plumbing services to the Amish in exchange for us being allowed to fish in their ponds. I just stared and stared at the little girls wishing they could be my friends. We have just recently moved back to my hometown and my kids have an equal fascination with the Amish families that trot by our house multiple times a day. When we received an opportunity to review the books Life with Lily and A New Home for Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher and published by Baker Publishing Group, I was thrilled! The authors have pulled from their personal experiences in the Old Order Amish culture to share the lifestyle of the Amish and stories based on true events.

We received the first two paperback books in The Adventures of Lily Lapp series and I immediately began reading Life with Lily aloud to the kids. After four chapters Brynne, age 7, snatched it from my hands and took off to read it herself. The book is lengthy .... 39 chapters and 280 pages! I was skeptical that she would be able to handle it's length, but she has poured over every page of it. She loves Lily and all of the other characters. She laughs and narrates to me what she has read. She told me on Thursday that she wishes this book would never end. She said, "At least I have the next book to read!"

Unfortunately, Brynne has not been able to complete both books during our review period, but she has said that the next book she is going to read is A New Home for Lily. She loves these books THAT much! Let me put it into perspective. Since last year Brynne has been reading book after book after book in a series that she loves about puppies. She is obsessed with puppies. I can't hardly get enough books purchased before she has read them all and is ready for the next set in the series. Lily has captured her interest so much that the puppy books have been put away and she has asked me to buy every book in the Lily Lapp series. Folks, that's HUGE!

Here are some of her comments:

• "I get it .. this book is to teach you about how the Amish live!"
• "Mommy, it says right here that they were going to the Amish store. We go to the Amish store." (And, we do!)
• "I just love this book!"

Brynne can relate to Lily because they are the same age. And, we see Amish girls every day in our regular life, so to be able to learn about their lifestyle is so cool for her! I have really appreciated the different storylines, as well, that have given us topics to discuss. For instance, Lily has an aunt who has Down's Syndrome. And Lily has a teacher who has not been very nice. Lily has lots of adventures that sometimes go awry, so we get to discuss what she could have done differently.

I highly recommend the Lily Lapp books to you. Well, actually Brynne highly recommends them. They are recommended for ages 8-12. Brynne is 7 years old, but somewhat of an advanced reader. I would say that the sheer length of the books would make them suitable for ages 8+. But, they are excellent to be used as a read aloud for younger children, as well. 

The books in the Lily Lapp series can be purchased at Baker Publishing Group for $12.99. You will receive a colorful paperback book with fun illustrations. You can also go to The Adventures of Lily Lapp website to read more about the authors and the characters, learn more about the Amish way of life, find fun games and activities, and even e-mail Lily! Get to know Lily and her family and friends!!!


Read what other Crew members though of the Lily books by going to the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.

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