When Emily and Jamie, the two young children who helped their tomte friends save the local woods in The Tomtes of Hilltop Woods, learn that Farmer Robinson is planning to sell Hilltop Farm, they are very upset. Especially when they and their friend Dan, who is Farmer Robinson's son, learn that the prospective buyers plan to start a factory farm once they buy the land. Turning to their tomte friend Lichen for help, the three children and their diminutive allies commence a campaign to turn the farm around, learning to care for the animals, and helping to plant crops. After a very successful sale at the local farmer's market, Farmer Robinson decides to give the farm another chance, thus averting disaster...

Like its predecessor, there is a clear didactic purpose to this second eco-fable from Brenda Tyler, as the children and tomtes face off against the evils of factory farming. The solution to the problem presented is somewhat simplistic - it's difficult to imagine a farm's fortunes being turned around so quickly, or one farmer's market making such a difference - and I had to laugh when the narrator informs us that Farmer Robinson never questions the fact that his animals have suddenly started behaving well, or that all these delicious cheeses begin to appear in his storehouse. That said, I am in sympathy with the idea behind the story - I don't think I've run into another children's title that deals with factory farming - and appreciated the artwork, which is simple but pretty. Young readers who enjoyed Brenda Tyler's first foray into picture-books, will doubtless also appreciate The Tomtes of Hilltop Farm, as will anyone interested in contemporary fairy-tales with an ecological theme. ( )