Farmbrarian

It is altogether too easy to forget how perilous commercial fishing is. For most consumers, salmon seems to simply appear at the local grocery. Bill Carter’s Red Summer: The Danger, Madness, and Exaltation of Salmon Fishing in a Remote Alaskan Village (2008) instead reveals to readers the agony wild salmon fishermen (himself included) endure on and off the deck when they depend on this uncertain resource for their income and lifestyle. Set in the remote Native Alaskan town of Egegik, Carter’s fishing tales paint a grimmer portrait of the state and the people that live there than most Alaskan memoirs do. Overall it is a valuable read to refresh ourselves on the notion that people must work hard for the culinary delights we so casually consume.

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Guest review kindly contributed by librarian Cressida Hanson. If you’re interested in submitted book suggestions or reviews, contact us!

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Based on the title, I expected a different story than the one told here.  In fact, I was expecting to learn about a happy community with a well established local food culture showing the rest of us how it could be done.  What I wasn’t expecting was the author asking really tough questions about the feasibility of local food systems. Can communities in a country that prides itself on independence (really, the illusion of independence) embrace the interdependence necessary to build and maintain a local food system? What defines a local system?  Is it truly local if the people who live nearby can’t afford to buy it? How do communities react when the media pays attention only to those who have just recently discovered local food, while overlooking those who’ve been eating and producing it their entire lives? The author’s pragmatism challenged my local-food passion throughout the story and I was starting to worry that building alternatives to the current industrial food system is all a pipe dream. The good news is…I’m not going to tell. You’ll have to read the book.

Slow Food USA recently reviewed this book as well. Check out their comments here. Guest review kindly submitted by Shelley of Local Food Northern Nevada.

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The Locavore Way: Discover and Enjoy the Pleasures of Locally Grown Food (2009) by Amy Cotler is a comprehensive, easy-to-read guide on how to find, buy, and cook locally grown food. She covers every aspect of eating locally: from the basics, like what to look for at farmer’s markets, to the more complex, like how to buy meat and poultry in areas where local food is not available in stores. Recipes and tips for preparing many vegetables and fruits help those of us less experienced with creating meals with fresh food. The author also stresses the importance of consumer expectations of the companies, restaurants, and schools linked to our meals and how to effectively advocate for change. The Locavore Way includes a great resource section to get you started, and my favorite – testimonials from farmers, chefs, and families who make local food a part of their lives.

Thanks to Storey Publishing for the review copy and to one of Reno’s own locavores Shelley of Local Food Northern Nevada for the review! Shelley’s site is a great resource for area residents, check it out!

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The Carrot Seed – Written by Ruth Krauss, Illustrated by Crockett Johnson

This classic tale begins with a little boy planting a carrot seed. Ignoring the pessimistic refrain from his father, mother, and big brother that the seed will not come up, the boy resolutely cares for the seed each day, providing it with water and removing weeds. His perseverance finally pays off when the seed grows into a gigantic carrot, “just as the little boy had known it would.”

Over 60 years after its publication, Krauss’s simple story about one boy’s unwavering faith still has the power to captivate young readers. The succinct text is full of repetition, making it easy for young readers to follow. The text is matched perfectly by the minimal illustrations that capture the spirit of the story by reflecting the boy’s patience, determination, and ultimate validation. Recommended for ages 3-6.

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Winnie Finn, Worm Farmer – Written by Carol Brendler, Illustrated by Ard Hoyt

Young Winnie Finn is passionate about earthworms, going so far as to take them for rides around Quincy County in her wagon. With the Quincy County Fair approaching, Winnie hopes to win a prize for best worms. Though several of her neighbors are dismissive of her idea, Winnie remains undeterred and builds a worm farm. The fertilizer it produces is used by Mr. Abernathy to grow tall corn, which is then used by Mrs. Yamasaki-O’Sheridan to feed her Plymouth Rock hens, whose eggs are used by Mr. Peasley to make his Afghan puppies coats shine, causing all three to win first prize at the fair. Winnie is an appealing, clever heroine who uses her ecological knowledge to save the day for Quincy’s residents. The humorous, detailed illustrations depicting Winnie’s adventures are bound to elicit chuckles. An author’s note includes instructions on how to build a worm farm for budding worm enthusiasts like Winnie. Recommended for ages 5-8.

Thanks again to our friend and Children’s Librarian Cassandra for the great reviews! For many, many more suggested children’s titles about agriculture, see School Library Journal‘s “Farm Fresh” report.

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The Curious Garden  – Written and Illustrated by Peter Brown

One day, in a city devoid of vegetation, a curious boy named Liam stumbles upon a smattering of dying wildflowers and plants growing along an abandoned railway. Though he knows little about gardening, Liam resolves to do what he can to save the tiny garden. As a result of Liam’s dogged determination, the plants flourish. Before long, Liam’s garden begins to spread, not just along the railway, but also throughout the entire city. As the garden grows, so does the community’s involvement in it, until Liam becomes just one of many gardeners in the city.

Inspired by the growth of a real garden along the abandoned Highline railway in Manhattan, this gentle story celebrates both the beauty of nature and the power of one individual to make a difference. The lovely acrylic and gouache illustrations, which include many wordless spreads, depict the almost magical transformation of the city from a bleak place to one full of lush greenery. In a concluding author’s note, Brown encourages his young readers to follow in Liam’s footsteps and look for nature all around them. Recommended for ages 5-8.

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Over in the Garden – Written by Jennifer Ward, Illustrated by Kenneth J. Spengler

This charming take on the traditional counting rhyme “Over in the Meadow” illuminates the roles played by different critters in a garden. The bright gouache illustrations depict ten large, cheery insects, from pouncing mantises to buzzing bees and glowing beetles. Children will practice both their counting and detective skills, as each spread contains a hidden number reflecting the number of insects on the page. Readers wishing to learn more about the creatures in this tale will find additional information about many of them presented in a “Fun Facts” section in the back. The book concludes with a musical score for those unfamiliar with the tune to Over in the Meadow. Recommended for ages 3-6.

Reviews graciously contributed by our friend Cassandra who works as a Children’s Librarian in the Boston area. If interested in submitting a guest review, contact us!