The Hands–On Ranch Book – How to Tie a Knot, Start a Garden, Saddle a Horse, and Everything Else People Used to Know How to Do by Mary Heffernan

The Hands–On Ranch Book – How to Tie a Knot, Start a Garden, Saddle a Horse, and Everything Else People Used to Know How to Do

by Mary Heffernan

There really isn't a more satisfying feeling than being capable and knowledgeable in a situation where we need to make decisions and solve problems. Now you and your children can learn exciting, useful life skills with the help of the modern-day ranch family at Five Marys Farms! Filled with clear instructions and helpful illustrations, The Hands-On Ranch Book shows your kids--and you--how to

· start and tend a productive garden
· make bread, maple syrup, candles, and dyes
· tie useful knots
· take care of horses, chickens, and other livestock
· turn your talents into a home business
· and so much more

Parents will love how The Hands-On Ranch Book encourages their kids to get outside and try new things. Kids will love getting their hands dirty as they observe, create, and share their new skills with others. This book is fun and educational for the whole family, including homeschoolers, homesteaders, and anyone who wishes their life was a little more tied to the land.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

3.5 of 5 stars

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Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Hands–On Ranch Book is a useful and accessible collection of practical advice and tutorials for daily tasks indoors and outdoors. Released 26th Sept 2023 by Baker Publishing on their Revell imprint, it's 160 pages and is available in hardcover, flexi-bound, paperback, and ebook formats. 

The book is short, but it's well arranged and there are lots of good sensible tips included. The chapters are arranged thematically: country living (reading clouds, finding and purifying water, building fires, making a fishing pole + hook, and more), DIY (dyes, cooking, candlemaking, leatherworking, and more), animal husbandry (arranged by animal type), and some business/entrepreneurial advice aimed at young readers. 

The illustrations are very simple and line drawn in black & white, but they are useful and illustrate the points well; for example with animal tracks. 

Three and a half stars. It's a nice collection of useful tips. It seems to be mostly slanted toward younger reader (tweens to young adults), but all-ages will find useful info. It would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, makers' groups, scouts, community gardens, small homesteaders, and similar.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

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Reading updates

  • 8 October, 2023: Started reading
  • 8 October, 2023: Finished reading
  • 8 October, 2023: Reviewed