I read a book in the mid-1970’s about a large family. The babies all came from a plant in the backyard which grew pods. When a pod would get ripe, there would be a human baby inside. I cannot remember if there was a science fiction element or not. Does anyone remember this story?
Oh, I remember this one! I think I can even remember the cover, which in my mind, shows the family standing together in the field with the plants growing around them. Lots of smiling faces. I remember it being a bit of an odd book. The family all loved each other and were happy together. They weren’t well off, I don’t think, but loved their kids so much, they were always happy to get more. It was a secret where they got their kids from, but then something happened and other people found out about it, and made them destroy the plant. Only at the very end, the father reveals that he’s saved a tiny bit of it. This is the book I remember, anyway. Sounds like the same one. I wish I could remember what it was called!
I searched for this one forever! The one that I was looking for (children come from a plant called “roanoak” in the backyard) was Mrs. Purdy’s Children by Ruth Loomis, illustrated by Stephen Kellogg. I bet that it’s the one you’re looking for too.
Thank you! I am going to track it down!