On the Perfect Picture Book Friday before Memorial Day, I should probably be sharing something related to Memorial Day.
But I’m not.
Instead, the book that caught my eye is one that’s just right for spring-turning-to-summer – the growing season – so still somewhat appropriate for today 😊
This book is such a great idea I’m surprised no one thought of it before (and I don’t mind saying I wish I’d thought of it! 😊)
Title: Food For The Future: Sustainable Farms Around The World
Written By: Mia Wenjen
Illustrated By: Robert Sae-Heng
Publisher: Barefoot Books, May 23, 2023, Nonfiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-8
Themes/Topics: farms, sustainable farming
text copyright Mia Wenjen 2023, illustration copyright Raobert Sae-Heng 2023, Barefoot Books
Opening:
“Can we feed the world without pollution?
Sustainable farms are one solution.
We can go back to old ways or try something new.
Let’s take care of our Earth – for me and for you!”
[Inset fact box:
sustainable: living or working in a way
that protects people and the planet]
text copyright Mia Wenjen 2023, illustration copyright Raobert Sae-Heng 2023, Barefoot Books
Brief Synopsis: Take a tour around the world and see a wide variety of sustainable farming methods, some centuries old, others new innovations, all with the goal of providing for people while protecting the planet.
text copyright Mia Wenjen 2023, illustration copyright Raobert Sae-Heng 2023, Barefoot Books
Links To Resources: The books itself is a resource, presenting 12 types of sustainable farming. Back matter includes explanations of sustainable farming and food justice. A map shows the locations of all the farm types presented in the book. Expanded information about each of the 12 types of farming in the book including where it comes from, how it works, why it’s sustainable, and an interesting fact about it completes the back matter.
text copyright Mia Wenjen 2023, illustration copyright Raobert Sae-Heng 2023, Barefoot Books
Why I Like This Book: In short rhyming text with an inset fact box on each spread, this book introduces young readers to a variety of methods of sustainable farming. From salt farms in the United States, to food forests in Kenya, honey farms in Yemen, and vertical farms in Singapore there is a world of possibility in how to provide food for people while simultaneously protecting our earth. Some of the methods are traditional and have been around for centuries, while others are cutting edge. The art shows diverse people in varying environments portrayed in simple lines with areas of bright color. I like that the book can be read sort of briefly for the rhyming text, short facts, and illustration, or much more in depth by exploring the back matter. Kids (and adults who might learn something new – I certainly did!) will really enjoy learning about sustainable farming in this accessible, engaging book.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Embrace the remembrance celebrations of Memorial Day and enjoy the kick-off of summer!!! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
This looks like a really fascinating book. I’m looking forward to finding it at my library. Thank you for highlighting it Susanna.
My pleasure, Maria! I thought it was great – I learned a lot 😊
Just perfect
Glad you like it!
What an engaging book! It illuminates our knowledge and doesn’t only keep us in the States. Love the worldliness and inclusion of cultural practices. Thank you, Susanna, as always, for bringing another outstanding book to our attention.
It’s really terrific, Phyllis! So much information presented in such an accessible way!
I am wrestling with a nonfiction book now and this is a great example of merging rhyme and facts. I keep wanting to tell everything! But it can be in the back matter.
So true, Robin! And how cool that you’re working on a rhyming nonfiction book too!
Wow wow wow, Susanna! I’m a farmer’s daughter, and I’m all about sustainable agriculture! In fact, it’ sone of my soapbox issues, LOL. I’ll have to take a look at this one. Of course, it’s published by Barefoot Books!
I think you’ll really like it, Jilanne! It’s interesting and different and very educational! 😊
Great suggestion, Susanna! I love my windowbox farm. (and I shared a Memorial Day link last week – if anyone was paying attention, lol https://www.wendygreenley.com/2023/05/a-day-for-rememberin.html)
Ooh! They left windowbox farm out, Wendy! That would be a good one! And thanks for the Memorial Day book link!
I love the subject of this book and can’t wait to attend Mia’s launch this weekend! Thanks for sharing.
Lucky you that you get to attend the launch, Cindy! It’s a terrific book! Tell Mia I said so 😊
Will do!
Great topic for a picture book!
Isn’t it, Becky? And one I would never have thought of! 😊
As always, you highlight the best books! I always wish I had written them. 🙂
I know! Why do things seem so obvious when other people think of them? 🤣 And so well done!
It does sound like a perfect picture book.
It’s terrific, Norah! Really interesting and a very important topic!