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book cover for M Is for Mason Jar

M Is for Mason Jar

A Homesteading Alphabet

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Pub Date Aug 12 2025 | Archive Date May 05 2025


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Description

An ABC picture book for modern homesteaders

A is for attic and armfuls of aprons our aunties once made. B is for baking the batter for buttermilk biscuits. Yum!

Children are an essential part of any homestead. From canning creamed corn and cucumbers to scattering seeds in the soil, explore a fun modern-day homesteading activity for every letter of the alphabet, just for young homesteaders. With alliterative text by Carloyn Bennett Fraiser and sweet illustrations by Sally Garland, M Is for Mason Jar is a mix of nostalgia and modernism. Whether in the country or the city, the time-honored practices of the homestead will encourage kids to be more self-reliant and to be thankful for the bounty of the earth and the work of their hands. Includes one page of backmatter to help kids get involved in homesteading activities.
An ABC picture book for modern homesteaders

A is for attic and armfuls of aprons our aunties once made. B is for baking the batter for buttermilk biscuits. Yum!

Children are an essential part of any...

Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781641709668
PRICE $17.99 (USD)
PAGES 32

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Average rating from 37 members


Featured Reviews

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Don't mind me... I'm just going to go buy 50 acres of land, plant dozens of fruit trees and a vegetable garden, learn to sew, and go buy a few baby farm animals. It sounds like a dream come true! This book is such a motivator for me to live simply/enjoy the simple things and build a homestead (once we finally are free of the military lifestyle). The illustrations are stunning and heartwarming as well. I am so happy I was able to read an advance copy of this incredible children's book. Thank you, NetGalley!

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Farm Steading and cottagecore seem to be soaring in popularity and have been thriving for quite some time. People clasp onto the integrity and high values passed down to them by family members who loved with a protective instinct unrivaled by any other. Carolyn Bennet Frasier has picked up on the cue and created a charming children's picture book that not only encapsulates what this population is looking to hand down and instill in their own children but teaches valuable lessons as well. Each page teaches young emerging readers a new letter of the alphabet-- a core building block for parents who want their children to either have a more enriched and fulfilling academic experience or who choose to homeschool.

Families will undoubtedly adore the whimsical children in this delightful children's picture book as they read through every word and admire the illustrations on every page. The section with helpful author tips and encouragement is an additional bonus which will make this book popular with children and their families.

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Families who farm, homestead, or homeschool will enjoy reading about all the things kids and parents can do to support themselves at home. Families who do not do these things will get a glimpse into a different way of life and the many things that can be learned and accomplished from it. This book is an excellent resource to springboard into many topics and hands on activities. Beautifully illustrated pictures show landscapes, animals, and multi-generational, traditional families working together. This one is a must buy!
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Familius Publishing through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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M is for Mason Jar is a delightful alphabet book that goes through each letter of the alphabet exploring various aspects of homesteading. The book is beautifully illustrated.

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M is for Mason Jar is a charming ABC book with sweet, nostalgic illustrations and clever alliterations that capture the spirit of modern homesteading. I really enjoyed how each letter highlighted a simple, hands-on activity—from baking biscuits to scattering seeds—which makes it fun and educational for kids (and honestly, adults too). The illustrations are super cute and cozy, perfectly matching the homestead vibe.

X is always a tough letter in alphabet books, and I think they handled it as well as possible—it didn’t feel like a total stretch. Overall, it’s a lovely little picture book that blends old-fashioned values with a modern touch, encouraging kids to appreciate nature, work with their hands, and embrace the joys of homegrown living.

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A cozy and creative look at homesteading, told from A to Z. Wholesome, charming, and full of down-to-earth inspiration.

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This book is SO, SO cute! A must have for any homesteader with kids. I love the page at the end that gives tips for how kids can get involved. It's a fun and innovative way for the littlest homesteaders to learn their ABC's, but with beautiful illustrations and relatable examples that older kids and adults can appreciate as well. I can't wait to purchase a hard copy for our bookshelf!

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This is a terrific book about homesteading, with A-Z words and definitions told in a fun alphabet book format. This would be perfect for a read-aloud in a library, or at school. It's also a fun way to learn more about farm life and makes a good visual dictionary for the classroom.

I highly recommend this book for schools, libraries, and homeschool families.

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This is a sweet alphabet book for young children. Whether you live on a farm or in the city children will love learning about homestead/farms and the items you might find there. This book teaches through the use of alliteration which children love. Unlike most books that only give one item per letter this one gives several that usually are all related. If you have a young child in your home share this book with them and help them learn their alphabet and words that are associated with them. The illustrations are very cute as well.

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What a treasure to me and my little ones. This ABC book brings back so many memories. I love the book for so many reasons. The illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning. They really capture the setting and feeling of the story. Fraiser does an outstanding job at sharing the heartfelt feeling and understanding of homestead life. Growing up our life was simple but blessings were big, and this ABC brought back so many of those fond memories I cherish.
Your little one, and you, will love seeing what each letter is going to be. Things like F for Family, B for Baking and Q for Quilts. The author also gives a list of ways kids can get involved on a homestead.
I love that my children were so excited about what they discovered in the book and that they want to try or to learn more. Canning, harvesting and sewing were just a few of these.
I highly recommend this book to share with little ones, the possibilities are endless.
Enjoy with your little homesteaders.

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M Is for Mason Jar is one of those picture books that immediately feels warm, nostalgic, and genuinely fun to read aloud. Carolyn Bennett Fraiser takes a simple concept and turns it into something wonderfully charming. Each page celebrates the versatility of the humble mason jar, and the alphabetical structure makes it easy for young readers to follow along while learning something new on every letter.

The illustrations are bright and inviting—exactly the kind of artwork kids love to linger over. What surprised me most was how creative and clever some of the examples are; it’s clear the author put a lot of thought into showing just how many ways a single object can inspire curiosity.

As a read-aloud, it flows beautifully. The rhythm is smooth, the language is approachable, and it has that perfect blend of educational value and simple joy. It’s the kind of book that sparks ideas—crafts, recipes, little projects—which makes it great for classrooms, storytime, or just a cozy afternoon at home.

A sweet, inventive alphabet book with tons of personality. I can easily see kids asking to revisit this one again and again.

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