Farm Fresh

As a result of historical events, economic and social trends, and technological advances, our food lives have changed significantly. Today’s children are more conversant with the aisles of giant-size supermarkets and prepackaged frozen meals than with the glories of a thriving vegetable garden or the pleasures of making a dish from farm-fresh ingredients. Though an amazing bounty and variety of edibles are readily available on grocery store shelves, kids often have no idea about the origins of the things they eat.

Written for elementary-age readers, these books employ enticing visual images and clearly delineated texts to delve into the production and enjoyment of a variety of foods. The titles in the first section, including Robbin Gourley’s nostalgic Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie and Michael Rosen’s down-and-dirty look at a modern-day family farm, sow the seeds of awareness by introducing agricultural basics and rural life. The second section digs more deeply into the production of a cornucopia of foods, with titles such as The Super Soybean, Ice Cream: The Full Scoop, The Life and Times of Corn, and Extra Cheese, Please!: Mozzarella’s Journey from Cow to Pizza. Next, kids can cook up some fun—and learn to make healthy food choices—with easy-to-digest titles about nutrition and several tongue-tantalizing cookbooks. Dessert comes in the form of satisfying picture-book tales with a food-production theme, including Jerry Pinkney’s vivacious The Little Red Hen and Marjorie Priceman’s enchanting How to Make Apple Pie and See the World.

These delectable titles are intended to provide youngsters with just a taste of the fascinating world of food and the important role it plays in our day-to-day lives. This palatable, fun-to-read fare can also be served up to supplement units on American history, contemporary life, agriculture, gardening, nutrition, health, and cooking.
 

GOURLEY, Robbin. Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie: A Story About Edna Lewis. illus. by author. Clarion. 2009. RTE $16. ISBN 978-0-618-15836-2.

Gr 1-3–From the whippoorwill’s melodious announcement of spring to the first snowfall, Edna and her family gather and grow an abundance of edibles on their Virginia farm and cook up delicious and nutritious meals. Based on the childhood of a celebrated African-American chef, this mouthwatering tale is flavored with lyrical language, folk rhymes, and lush-hued watercolors. Recipes appended.

MICHELSON, Richard. Tuttle’s Red Barn: The Story of America’s Oldest Family Farm. illus. by Mary Azarian. Putnam. 2007. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-24354-7.

Gr 2-5–Beginning with John Tuttle’s arrival in New Hampshire in 1632, this engaging book chronicles 12 generations of hardworking farmers, linking family history to milestone moments in America’s past. Radiant woodcut prints depict the changing times and scenery as the homestead evolved from thatch-roofed cabin to bustling modern-day farm and market.

PETERSON, Cris. Clarabelle: Making Milk and So Much More. photos by David R. Lundquist. Boyds Mills. 2007. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-310-8.

Gr 1-4–Sam and Josh’s family owns and operates a Wisconsin dairy farm where they care for 12,000 Holstein cows, cultivate the crops needed to feed them, and utilize high-tech equipment to convert manure into fertilizer, clean bedding, and even electricity. Crisp visuals and vivid writing prove that the photogenic Clarabelle is actually “a four-footed factory.”

PETERSON, Cris. Harvest Year. photos by Alvis Upitis. Boyds Mills. 2003. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-56397-571-4.

Gr 3-6–From Hawaiian pineapples hand-picked in January to Florida’s December orange crop, this handsome book presents a month-by-month look at the variety of foods harvested in the United States. Colorful spreads pair straightforward text with maps and photos depicting reaping techniques and contented children enjoying the fruits of these labors.

ROSEN, Michael J. Our Farm: Four Seasons with Five Kids on One Family’s Farm. photos by author. Darby Creek. 2008. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-58196-067-9.

Gr 3-7–Consisting primarily of quotes from Bennett family members–ranging in age from 4-year-old Ali to 17-year-old Caleb (and Mom and Dad)–this photographic journal chronicles a year that includes heaps of hard work, an assortment of interactions with animals, and loads of fun. An articulate, often wise portrait of modern-day farm life.
 

BIAL, Raymond. The Super Soybean. photos by author. Albert Whitman. 2007. PLB $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-7549-9.

Gr 3-7–Bial provides an in-depth look at this quick-growing legume, a protein-rich food that is also used in an “amazing variety” of products (including the ink in the book). Colorful photos clearly illustrate the author’s thorough descriptions of the cultivation and harvesting of this wonder crop in the American Midwest.

CAVE, Kathryn. One Child, One Seed: A South African Counting Book. photos by Gisèle Wulfsohn. Holt. 2003. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-7204-4.

PreS-Gr 2–Kids can count along as Nothando plants a yellow pumpkin seed, watches it grow, and shares its flavorful bounty with family and friends. The simple text is enhanced by inviting photos showing the girl and her activities and captions detailing her day-to-day life. A recipe for a traditional Zulu dish is appended.

ESBAUM, Jill. Apples for Everyone. ISBN 978-1-4263-0523-8.

––––. Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie. ISBN 978-1-4263-0582-5.

ea vol: (Picture the Seasons Series). National Geographic. 2009. pap. $5.95.

PreS-Gr 1–Jam-packed with clear, colorful, and utterly captivating photos, these winsome books introduce the planting, growing, and uses of the featured produce. Children will enjoy listening to the tongue-tingling texts and perusing the inviting images, particularly photos of smiling kids biting into apples or adults paddling in giant-size pumpkin boats.

FARMER, Jacqueline. Apples. 2007. ISBN 978-1-57091-694-6; ISBN 978-1-57091-695-3.

––––. Pumpkins. 2004. ISBN 978-1-57091-557-4; ISBN 978-1-57091-558-1.

ea vol: illus. by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes. Charlesbridge. RTE $16.95; pap. 6.95.

Gr 1-4–Conversational text and warm-hued watercolors present a bounty of facts about these American favorites, clearly describing the cultivation and harvesting, uses, and history of each fruit. From a clear explanation of grafting apples to a lively recounting of why people carve pumpkins, these books will inform and delight young readers.

GIBBONS, Gail. Ice Cream: The Full Scoop. illus. by author. Holiday House. 2006. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2000-1; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2155-8.

PreS-Gr 3–Artwork in sparkling sherbet hues and clearly written text describe the history, production (by hand and in factory), distribution, and consumption of this “sweet, cold” treat. Diagrams, captioned illustrations, and cutaway images effectively convey a remarkable amount of information.

GIBBONS, Gail. The Vegetables We Eat. illus. by author. Holiday House. 2007. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2001-8.

K-Gr 3–Cheery artwork in sun-ripened shades and straightforward text introduce eight vegetable groups, categorized by the part of the plant that is eaten (e.g., leaf vegetables, bulb vegetables, etc.). In addition to depicting a profusion of verdant produce, the book also portrays the growing process in home gardens and on large farms.

GOODMAN, Susan E. All in Just One Cookie. illus. by Timothy Bush. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2006. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-009092-0; PLB $18.89. ISBN 978-0-06-009093-7.

Gr 2-4–As Grandma concocts a batch of cookies, her pets research the origins of a “world of ingredients” including butter (churned from a Vermont cow’s milk), vanilla (painstakingly hand-pollinated in Madagascar), chocolate (processed from ripe pods across the globe), and more. Effervescent artwork and lighthearted text reveal the wonders mixed into a familiar treat.
 

HOLLYER, Beatrice. Let’s Eat!: What Children Eat Around the World. Holt. 2004. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-7322-5.

Gr 3-5–Five youngsters share morsels about their daily lives, introducing local cuisine, describing food preparation, and highlighting their favorite dishes (recipes appended). Whether showing someone boiling cornmeal for puthu in South Africa or cooking quail eggs in Thailand, this appealing photo-essay offers an interesting look at the role food plays in each child’s family and culture.

LEVENSON, George. Bread Comes to Life: A Garden of Wheat and a Loaf to Eat. ISBN 978-1-58246-114-4; ISBN 978-1-58246-273-8.

––––. Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden. ISBN 978-1-58246-004-8; ISBN 978-1-58246-078-9.

ea vol: photos by Shmuel Thaler. Tricycle. 2004. Tr $15.95; pap. $7.99.

PreS-Gr 2–Part fact and part fun, these playful volumes blend rhyming text and artistically composed full-color photos to describe the plant-to-plate process, serving up useful information while simultaneously stirring imaginations. In Bread, a baker takes readers from sowing seeds to finished loaf, while a gardener nurtures a pumpkin from seed to jack-o’-lantern. Companion DVDs are available from Weston Woods.

MICUCCI, Charles. The Life and Times of Corn. illus. by author. Houghton. 2009. RTE $16. ISBN 978-0-618-50751-1.

Gr 2-5–This thorough introduction to an “a-maize-ing grain” highlights the plant’s basic anatomy, growing and harvesting, and its versatile value as a food and for other uses. Lively text and whimsically rendered illustrations delineate corn’s starring role in world agriculture and its historical and cultural significance in the U.S. For similar treatments of related topics, try Micucci’s The Life and Times of the Honeybee and The Life and Times of the Peanut (both Houghton, 1997).

PETERSON, Cris. Extra Cheese, Please!: Mozzarella’s Journey from Cow to Pizza. photos by Alvis Upitis. Boyds Mills. 2004. pap. $9.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-246-0.

Gr 1-3–After giving birth to a calf, Annabelle begins to produce milk, beginning an incredible process that will result in a tasty and fortifying food. Descriptive language and crystalline full-color photos present a step-by-step account of this procedure, from Wisconsin dairy farm to cheese-making factory to finished product (pizza recipe included).

ROBBINS, Ken. Food for Thought: The Stories Behind the Things We Eat. illus. by author. Roaring Brook/A Neal Porter Bk. 2009. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-59643-343-4.

Gr 4-7–Robbins blends food facts with folklore and historical tidbits to concoct an intriguing mélange of information about nine fruits and veggies, including potatoes, grapes, bananas, mushrooms, and pomegranates. Luminous photos with an artistic flair and lively conversational text create a beguiling book appropriate for browsing or sharing aloud.

ROTNER, Shelley & Gary Goss. Where Does Food Come From? photos by Shelley Rotner. Millbrook. 2006. PLB $22.60. ISBN 978-0-7613-2935-0.

PreS-Gr 2–From hot cocoa to peanut butter, the origins of tasty edibles are presented in colorful spreads that blend simple sentences, factual tidbits, and lip-smacking, full-color photos. Snapshots of noshing children are paired with pictures of each food in its most rudimentary form (potato plants) and as familiar fare (French fries).

SCHAEFER, Lola M. Pick, Pull, Snap!: Where Once a Flower Bloomed. illus. by Lindsay Barrett George. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2003. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-688-17834-5.

Gr 1-4–Lucid, poetic text reveals how peas, raspberries, peaches, and other foods are produced from plants that flower, create seeds, and then bear fruit ready to be plucked…and eaten. Spring-hued paintings clearly depict the details, while foldout pages allow readers to speculate about each blossom’s end product.

GRAIMES, Nicola. Kids’ Fun & Healthy Cookbook. photos by Howard Shooter. DK. 2007. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-2916-8.

Gr 3-6–After introducing nutrition basics, Graimes showcases 50 taste-bud-tempting recipes, each presented on an appetizing spread with colorful photos, easy-to-follow directions, and interesting food facts. Designed to encourage a healthy and balanced diet, this upbeat cookbook helps kids make the connection between what they eat and how it affects their bodies.

GROW IT COOK IT. DK. 2008. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-3367-7.

Gr 3-6–Combining sequenced photographs with step-by-step directions, this eye-catching book takes readers through the entire process of planting (in pots), nurturing, harvesting, and cooking different fruits and vegetables. Use this volume to initiate classroom projects, or to help students visualize how seeds are eventually transformed into the main ingredients in a tasty dish.

KATZEN, Mollie. Salad People and More Real Recipes: A New Cookbook for Preschoolers and Up. illus. by author. Tricycle. 2005. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-58246-141-0.

PreS-Gr 3–This ebulliently illustrated volume presents 20 child-friendly food projects that focus on healthy ingredients, individual creativity, and hands-on enjoyment. Pictorial versions of the recipes are included, along with tips for adults on helping children successfully navigate the specifics. Katzen’s Honest Pretzels: And 64 Other Amazing Recipes for Cooks Ages 8 and Up (Tricycle, Oct. 2009 reprint), featuring vegetarian fare, is another worthy choice.

MILLER, Edward. The Monster Health Book: A Guide to Eating Healthy, Being Active & Feeling Great for Monsters & Kids! illus. by author. Holiday House. 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-1956-2; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2139-8.

Gr 2-5–Determined to make smart food choices, a rotund green monster gets the skinny on nutrition, the food pyramid, the importance of physical fitness, and other essential health issues. Illustrated with droll, graphic-style artwork, the appealing spreads are packed with fun facts, charts, helpful tips, and jokes for an inviting and edifying presentation.

ROCKWELL, Lizzy. Good Enough to Eat: A Kid’s Guide to Food and Nutrition. illus. by author. HarperCollins. 1999. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-027434-4; PLB $18.89. ISBN 978-0-06-027435-1.

K-Gr 3–Rockwell provides an easy-to-comprehend overview of healthy eating and the nutrient groups that the “body uses to do its work”–carbohydrates, protein, fat, water, vitamins, and minerals. Featuring a cast of smiling children and bright cotton-candy hues, the sprightly illustrations convey much of the information. Six recipes are appended.

ASTON, Dianna Hutts. An Orange in January. illus. by Julie Maren. Dial. 2007. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3146-2.

PreS-Gr 1–Luscious acrylic paintings and a lyrical narrative describe how an orange grows from a blossom until “plump and bright,” it is gently plucked and trucked to colder climes, displayed in a grocery store, carefully chosen by a child, and finally shared with friends on a wintry playground.

EHLERT, Lois. Pie in the Sky. illus. by author. Harcourt. 2004. RTE $16. ISBN 978-0-15-216584-0.

K-Gr 3–An unseen narrator patiently waits through the seasons to see what wonders the “pie tree” in the family’s yard will produce. From springtime blossoms to a cherry harvest to the making of a tasty pie, the sumptuous collage artwork provides an imaginatively detailed, close-up look at the action.

KETTEMAN, Helen. Armadilly Chili. illus. by Will Terry. Albert Whitman. 2004. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8075-0457-4; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-0-8075-0458-1.

PreS-Gr 3–Spiced up Texas style, this “Little Red Hen” variant depicts a determined armadillo’s efforts to gather ingredients (jalapeño peppers, prickly pear cactus, etc.) and bubble up a bone-warming meal, with no help from her always-too-busy friends. Rhythmic language, artwork in glowing southwestern shades, and a surprise ending add up to a share-aloud delight. DVD version available from Nutmeg Media.

LIN, Grace. The Ugly Vegetables. illus. by author. Charlesbridge. 1999. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-88106-336-3; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-57091-491-1.

K-Gr 3–Throughout the growing season, a Chinese-American girl prefers her neighbors’ beautiful flower gardens to her family’s patch of Chinese vegetables–until harvest time, when her mother cooks up a pot of scrumptious soup. Childlike storytelling and folksy, vividly hued paintings delineate nature’s bounty and a special mother-daughter relationship.

PINKNEY, Jerry. The Little Red Hen. illus. by author. Dial. 2006. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-2935-3.

PreS-Gr 4–A hardworking heroine plants and nurtures seeds, harvests and prepares grain, and bakes “golden bread” for her chicks–without any assistance from her barnyard neighbors. Told with lucid language and light-infused artwork, Pinkney’s resplendent rendition of this classic food-producing folktale is as sunny and satisfying as a summer day.

PRICEMAN, Marjorie. How to Make Apple Pie and See the World. illus. by author. Knopf. 1994. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-679-83705-3; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-679-88083-7.

Gr 1-3–Finding the market closed, a determined young cook travels the globe (via steamship, plane, elephant, and other means) to acquire the necessary ingredients–semolina wheat from Italy, cinnamon from Sri Lanka, apples from Vermont, and more–to concoct a delicious treat. This charming confection whisks together whimsical artwork and spirited storytelling.