Home In The Woods, written and illustrated Eliza Wheeler. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2019. $23.99 ages 5 and up

"The paths lead us to
a twisting trout creek,
an empty beaver lodge,
and a blooming berry patch,
with sweet jewels of blue and
red.

We fill our pail, Marv's hat,
Ray's bag. Lowell fills his
empty belly."

I love this touching family story based on the author's grandmother and her life during the Depression. She is a young girl at the time. Only 6, she is one of eight children whose father has died. The children range in age from 3 months to 14. Coping with being a widow at 34, Marvel's mother is tasked with raising her children on her own. It is Marvel who shares their story.

It's summer time. With their Dad gone, Marvel's mother takes the family and everything they own deep into the nearby woods. There they find an old shack that holds little appeal. Mum is positive, encouraging her children to make the best of what they have. The main floor is pretty bare. Discovering a door in the floor, two of the children go exploring.

"Below is a root cellar
filled with old glass jars,
a tin pail, a pile of rags,
and a pitcher pump that goes
up and down,
up and down,
and out comes a stream
of cool, clear water."

That's a plus, and Mum helps them realize they can make themselves a home here. A garden provides food; the surrounding woods provide adventure. As summer turns to autumn, Mum goes to town to work for pay and the children step up to do the chores at home. With only enough money to provide what they really need, there is nothing left for toys or candy.

Winter means being inside a lot. The children learn new skills. The older boys do their best to hunt for food with little luck. Mum is a wonder in the kitchen. She uses what has been stored through summer and autumn to make delicious meals. Spring brings hope, warmth, and a chance to trade bread and jam to neighbors for milk and eggs ... and promise for the coming days.

Eliza Wheeler's storytelling is strong, honest, and very personal. Her captivating ink and watercolor images are filled with family love, but don't downplay the conditions of the time. A feast of visual details assures that those who share this book have a very clear picture of the time, the growth, the strength within this remarkable family. 

An appended author's note adds wonderful detail, while encouraging her readers to look to their own families for personal stories meant to be told.