We don't have the original Carcassone so Over Hill Over Dale is our first experience of this family of games. It has quickly become one of our family's favourites. The beautiful artwork, quality production and engaging natural theme has us replaying often.
It is easy enough for kids to learn (once the grown ups learn the rules and can guide). If they are too young for scoring, that's fine. Remove the scoring element and just harvest fields, collect very cute harvest tokens and protect animals in barns. We've played it this way with young folk as a cooperative game.
But with adults it can get very strategic and competitive. Replay is compelling because the game is different each time and every move maps more landscape. Definitely recommended.