Award-winning children's author Marie Bradby will read her lyrical picture book, "Once Upon a Farm," March 31 at the Oldham County Historical Society at noon. It will be followed by an ice-cream social. The event is sponsored by the Oldham County Conservation District. The reading is part of a weekend of children's activities in association with the "Barns of Oldham County" exhibit by artist Ann Carter which celebrates the importance of barns in daily farm life and in stories. The exhibit opened in January and features paintings, memorabilia, and hands-on barnyard activities.

Ms. Bradby says she wrote her book as a tribute to the families who grow the food we eat. "One day my son cried when he saw a bulldozer leveling a farm that we passed each day when I drove him to and from school," says Ms. Bradby, the author of several other children's books. "The farm became yet another mall. I was concerned not only about the land-use, but the loss of a way of life for the family that ran the farm. I wanted to celebrate the hard work and the charm of farm life." The book, which is illustrated by award-winning artist Ted Rand, came about quite by accident, says Ms. Bradby, whose writing process tends to be organic. "One morning, I just woke up with the first page in my head."

It took about a year to finish writing the 32-page book. The result is " Once Upon a Farm," (Orchard/Scholastic) a warm and humorous story written in two voices that tells the story of the work of the parents and the adventures of their son and daughter who grow up on a family farm. The School Library Journal called it "A beautiful story about a vanishing way of life."

"A mule

a tiller

work till dinner.

A stump

a rock

pull till you drop.

I hold Mama's hand

Daddy carries Sue.

We see rabbits, deer and shooting stars when work is through."

While the parents work constantly to dig a well, plant and harvest crops, and other chores, the children side down banisters, chase chickens, groom ponies, ride in the combine, pick apples, churn ice cream, and indulge in other activities involving the lighter side of farm life. But as they grow older, the town begins to encroach:

"A highway

a light

flashing in the night.

A mall

a town

been spreading round.

In the quiet woods

where the steam ran,

we built castles out of sticks and sailed boats to foreign lands."

Ms. Bradby is a nationally known children's author who travels to schools around the country. After the reading, Ms. Bradby will show slides of a working farm in Henry County as well as publishing samples of how a picture book is made from start to finish.

In addition there will be other farm activities for children to experience including live chick hatching from incubators, corn grinding, dairy demonstrations and other hands on activities.