SUNFLOWER SEEDS PRESS' FIRST CHILDREN’S SERIES:

Sunflower Seeds Press launches a new short chapter book series authored by R. Friend entitled “Down on Friendly Acres.” 

Ronda, (R.) Friend, has written a series based on her life growing up “Down on Friendly Acres” in the 50’s and 60’s. This series takes you back to a time when life was unencumbered by today’s techno frenzy – a simple farm life devoid of malls, computers, cell phones, video games and ipods.

This series is jam-packed with new and innovative approaches that will bond parent and child as they discover from R. Friend timeless character lessons gleaned from a rich heritage of family experiences.  “Down On Friendly Acres” combines ten ingredients which set it apart from other chapter books.  This series utilizes character traits, vocabulary development, wise anecdotes, songs, poems, recipes, hidden sunflowers, real life experiences, cliff hanger endings and an interactive website (www.DownOn FriendlyAcres.com) that will result in appreciative parents and devoted readers yearning for more. Guaranteed to keep young and old in stitches, this jam-packed children’s series has the following new and innovative approaches to chapter books.

• SEED SOWING – Sunflower Seeds Press exists to create and promote values based books inspiring children to sow seeds of character. On the back of each cover shining in the sun is that particular seed.

• VOCABULARY BUILDING - “Down on Friendly Acres” builds a child’s vocabulary one word at a time. R. Friend is always curious to look up new words to find out what the big book has to say as she refers to “Noah Webster’s Dictionary.”

• WISE ANECDOTES – There will always be character building incorporated around the wise sayings that Grandma Brombaugh speaks into R. Friend’s life. The first book’s anecdotes:
  “If you can’t say anything nice about somebody, don’t say anything at all!”
  “If life gives you lemons - make lemonade!”

• ORIGINAL SONGS AND MUSIC - The book has two original songs scored for piano or guitar that are simple and fun yet thought provoking for young and old.

• ORIGINAL POEMS - Each book contains several poems introducing children into the rhythm and joy of storytelling with rhyme in mind. The children will roar with laughter while reading and relating to the poem “Hafta, Hafta, Hafta” and the trials and tribulations of doing their “haftas.”

• FARM FACTS - Children will not only enjoy learning about farm life but how life was different years and years ago in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

• HOMEMADE RECIPES - Two incredible hand-me-down family recipes for the kids to make with their parents or grandparents are included in each book. The first in the series contains Grandma Brombaugh’s famous homemade Peanut Butter Fudge and Homemade Potato Yeast Rolls.

• CLIFF HANGERS – The books will always leave the kids on the edge of their seats with at least one problem unsolved. Kids and adults will have to wait to read the second book in the series “R. Friend Time Out at Home” (a book on patience) to find out “the rest of the story.”

• FACT OR FICTION - Since the series is based on R. Friend’s life – what’s fact and what’s fiction? This website – www.downonfriendlyacres.com will be the place to go to find out. Did Duane really get a piece of turkey caught in his throat? Did Momma Friend really play with bugs? The answers to that and much more are on the interactive website where children can enter a variety of contests. One contest includes having the winner’s story printed in an upcoming series entitled “Animal Tales – (Noses Included).”

• HIDDEN SUNFLOWERS – Surprise! At the end of the book children will be encouraged to flip back through the book to find the hidden sunflowers. 

• ACCELERATED READER QUIZZES are available through Renaissance Learning Center  and your school librarians.

"Swallows Her Pride"is the first short chapter book in the series “Down on Friendly Acres” and is appropriate for children kindergarten through fourth grade. A vivacious six year old, “undercover angel,” and a “hawkephant” unite to share a story about forgiveness.

On R. Friend's sixth birthday, her brother, Duane, calls her a bad name.  Ronda wants to return the favor.  But Grandma Brombaugh always says, "If you can't say anything nice about somebody, don't say anything at all."  Losing all self control, she ends up getting in a fight with Duane while both slop the hogs.

The fiasco that follows turns into trouble for both of them.  Ronda and Duane end up in their own little corners.  Baby sister, Diane, destined to be an angel, looks on with the eyes of a hawk and the ears of an elephant.  And Grandma Brombaugh, an undercover angel, explains the importance of swallowing your pride.

“R. Friend – Swallows Her Pride” is guaranteed to keep you in stitches as Duane and Ronda demonstrate how forgiveness requires you to swallow your pride.

Ronda’s in trouble again. Duane's still in turkey trouble. And Ronda is afraid he’s turning into one—Beard, Snood & Wattle! It’s a good thing Grandma Brombaugh, the undercover angel, is back too!

Ronda’s intentional trouble comes after hitting what would have been the winning run until Duane tags her out at home. Ronda decides to return the favor by swinging her bat getting Duane out at home. That action lands Ronda in time out at home due in part to “Miss Hawkephant’s” declaration, “Wonda did it on porpoise!”

Out of patience, Ronda finds herself in her teeny, tiny corner’s time out chair. Lights blink off and on in her head as Ronda takes to heart Grandma’s advice, “Patience is the best remedy for trouble!”

This series, guaranteed to keep you in stitches, also guarantees you’ll discover how Duane finally gets the turkey out of his mouth. “Wattle” you waiting on? Get reading!

Where's Diane?  In an 1850's farmhouse, she could be anywhere!  Ronda's looked everywhere.  Her baby sister, Diane, has disappeared.  She needs a hero!

Ronda's father is a hero - an American hero!  During WWII, Sergeant Harold Eugene Friend was awarded the Bronze Star for "great courage and devotion." After the war, Harold married an aspiring nurse, Jean Brombaugh, who becomes her family's special hero.

Eight-year-old LeAnne Taylor is a hero, too.  Affectionately nicknamed Sunshine, LeAnne courageously faces her own battle.  Inspired by Grandma Brombaugh to spread rays of love, joy, and hope, the Friends create a Sunshine Basket for their friend.  Diane gives "fwum da boddum" of her heart as Ronda and her father tend to a secret garden.  In the end, Sunshine treasures the three F's - family, faith, 'n friends.

Guaranteed to make you laugh and cry, this heartwarming story takes its "hats off to heroes." May it inspire us all to sow random acts of kindness for everyday heroes!

 Winter ‘06 Release Date

Click on any book cover for synopsis of each book and a printable brochure of the "Down On Friendly Acres" short chapter book series.

For more information on the colorful characters in Down On Friendly Acres