Amish Home

Raymond Bial’s sensitive text and lyrical photographs of homes, crafts, and traditions express the strength and practical optimism of the Amish. There are no images of people here; self-effacing, the Amish don’t believe in having photographs made of themselves. But the work of their hands offers a revealing portrait of these hard-working and gentle people.Often called the “Plain People,” the Amish have actually shaped a complex and dynamic society in the quiet countryside washed with sunlight and peppered with the sounds of horses’ hooves and buggy wheels. Although some beliefs and practices may seem contradictory, even unusual, the Amish thoughtfully consider what is best for them and their community. Selectively adopting technology rather than being dominated by it, they follow a way of life that preserves the best of both worlds, old and new. First published in 1993, Amish Home received high praise in numerous reviews and won many awards, including ALA Notable Children’s Book, Parent’s Choice Award as Best Nonfiction Paperback Book, and Notable Social Studies Book for Young People from the Children’s Book Council.Generously illustrated with more than 90 color photographs, this new expanded edition offers a fascinating introduction to the Amish way of life for children and adults.