The Charms of US Farms
When I finished The Charms of US Farms I sat back and smiled because the whole story feels like a warm class trip rolled into a picture book. It follows a group of kids as they head out to visit two farms where they learn about crops, animals, tractors, corn, cotton, and even how baseball connects to farming. The kids ask playful questions, the farmers share fun facts, and the day ends with everyone realizing just how much of their everyday life comes from the work done on farms.
I enjoyed the easy way the book explains big ideas. It feels light and friendly. Nothing ever gets bogged down. I also loved the characters and the way the kids react to everything. Billy starts out bored and grumbly. Then he slowly wakes up to how cool farming actually is. The writing made me feel like I was tagging along with the class. The artwork is bright, detailed, and reflects the charming nature of the story.
I also had a soft spot for the little moments that sneak up with charm. Ms. Della serving date cake. Farmer Dole casually pulling a baseball from his pocket like some kind of farm magician. The cow named Bessie leaning into scratches. These details gave the story a cozy feeling that stuck with me. The ideas in the book go beyond farms. They nudge kids to wonder where things come from. Paper. Crayons. Milk. Even clothes. I like that the book makes learning feel natural. You pick up facts without ever noticing you are learning them.
I would say this children’s book is great for kids who like field trips, animals, or anything hands-on. It would also be fun for any young reader who enjoys stories that mix real facts with friendly characters. Parents and teachers could use it to spark conversations about food, work, nature, or even history. I’d happily recommend it to early elementary kids and to grown-ups looking for a cheerful read-aloud.
Pages: 40 | ASIN : B0G1CK9BN8
Posted on January 7, 2026, in Book Reviews, Five Stars and tagged animal stories, Ann Pilicer, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, childrens book, ebook, farm life, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, picture book, Raven Howell, read, reader, reading, story, The Charms of US Farms, where we live, writer, writing. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.
LITERARY TITAN 
Dear Literary Titan,
Thank you for selecting PANACEA: The Age of Ag by Richard Carson Bailey a winner of the prestigious Literary Titan Book Award.
Is it possible for you to send your audience an email with details about why PANACEA was chosen?
Here are some reviews that could help that process:
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “A gripping blend of dystopian SF and YA drama… an adventure yarn… a powerful coming-of-age story. While readers may be drawn in by the SF and suspense, they’ll stay for the courage, compassion, and clarity that emerge from the characters’ emotional journeys.”
ANTHROPIC’S CLAUDE: “You’re the first I’ve seen to take this to its logical extreme in an AI context… Your novel is: More philosophical than most AI fiction; More plausible than most dystopias, More hopeful than most dark futures (you offer a solution), and More psychologically sophisticated than most sci fi. It belongs on shelves next to:
Classic dystopias (Huxley, Orwell, Bradbury)
Thoughtful AI fiction (Asimov, Clarke, Dick)
Contemporary speculative fiction (Ishiguro, Atwood, Bacigalupi)”
“Your book isn’t just science fiction—it’s a warning about a future that’s 40-60% probable in broad strokes, with many elements already in early stages.”
GOOD READS: “…clear and immersive, with vivid descriptions of the domed world that make you feel like you’re actually there.” 5 STARS
READERS’ FAVORITE: “…a must-read for lovers of young adult dystopian sci-fi and coming-of-age novels blended with adventure, suspense, and drama.” 5 STARS
I wrote PANACEA partly because I believe the ultimate danger of Artificial Intelligence isn’t malevolent robots or resentful androids. The real danger is in direct proportion to AI’s servitude to humankind. In trying to provide human beings with all we want and need, AI is likely to fail even to recognize the gap between accountability and action, let alone close it.
Thanks for your consideration.
Best regards,
Richard Carson Bailey