Downstairs the Queen Is Knitting is Dorcas Smucker's brand new chronicle of family life with six fast-growing up kids. Downstairs the Queen Is Knitting follows Dorcas' two earlier and beloved collections, "Upstairs the Peasants Are Revolting" and "Ordinary Days." The kids are a bit older now, and Dorcas and Paul's marriage is longer and deeper. But Dorcas sees with more disarming clarity than ever, and she writes piercingly about life on and off the grass farm as the kids move toward more independence. Downstairs the Queen Is Knitting will entertain you, and ultimately it will soothe your soul.