Oh, this book is a delight. If You Live on a Farm, written by Kari Ann Gonzalez and illustrated by Marie Hermansson, asks a child one question and then keeps asking it. What would life be like if you lived on a farm? And what KIND of farm would it be?
I took these feature photos at my very favorite family farm, Z&N Farm in Bear Lake, Michigan, which was the perfect place to photograph this book for our article!
A flower farm. A dairy farm. An aquaponics farm, an alpaca farm, an orange grove, a mushroom farm. Aquaponics and mushrooms, in a picture book! It is written in the second person, in lyrical language, so your child is inside the book rather than watching it from the fence.
Here is the thing I did not know. Publisher Feeding Minds Press does not put talking animals in their books. Not ever, and on purpose, because the farms are meant to be real ones. Their aim is to show what farms look like today rather than a hundred years ago. This is remarkably important, as the groundswell of childhood education around food systems, health, and sustainability grows.
I loved many things about this book! The beautiful illustrations help readers learn about the wide variety of farming that exists now – and feeds us so well. The writing is kind, clear, and playful. Between the writing and the illustrations, our five senses come alive, and imagination grows.
Highly, highly recommended.
Kari Ann Gonzalez loves tending to her family's small hobby farm and flock of plucky chickens in California. Her debut picture book, How To Hatch A Reader, won the Northern Lights Picture Book Award for humor, and How To Hatch A Writer was named a Reviewer’s Choice title by Midwest Book Review’s Children’s Bookwatch.
In an interview with Kari Ann, we asked her about the book, the farms she grew up with, the illustrations, and more. At the end, she provides a marvelous resource for readers, parents, and educators. Here's what she had to say...
Please tell us about your new book, If You Live On A Farm...
If You Live On A Farm takes children on an alliterative adventure through rural America!
From bright fruit orchards to dark mushroom houses, If You Live On A Farm will mesmerize readers with the magic and mystery of life on a farm. Lyrical prose gives future farmers a glimpse into the wide variety of modern agriculture, while gorgeous, immersive illustrations highlight the wonderful diversity of rural life across the nation.
What inspired you to write this book? (also, love your chickens!!)
Thank you! I grew up in California in a large agricultural community with many commodities which extend far beyond the single dairy cow and red barn traditionally depicted in picture books. I wrote If You Live On A Farm to celebrate my roots and give readers a glimpse into the wide variety of modern agriculture.
How can parents and educators teach this book across age ranges?
Parents and educators can use this book across ages to inspire readers and spark interest in the agricultural literacy. The book’s backmatter includes an at-home activity that makes gardening accessible to all. Feeding Minds Press creates educator guides to pair with each of their books. Visit the Feeding Minds Press website to check out what is available.
How can kids learn more about varying kinds of farms - and of kids growing up that way?
I highly recommend exploring the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture website, alongside state and local Farm Bureau chapters. The American Farm Bureau actively develops engaging agricultural literacy materials for all ages, making their platform an excellent resource for discovering different types of farms and understanding exactly where our food comes from.
I love the illustrations! Please tell us more about your illustrator...
Isn’t Marie Hermansson incredible? I love her accurate agriculture illustrations and color palette! She really brought this story to life with her attention to detail. Marie is a nature enthusiast and hobby gardener. She would love to run a small flower farm one day, but until then she'll keep growing her garden and creating artwork for various children's magazines, retail companies, and picture books. Check out her website at www.mariehermanssonillustration.com!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Please visit my website, www.karianngonzalez.com, for free activities, coloring pages, and educator guides to pair with each of my books.
If You Live on a Farm is published by Feeding Minds Press at $18.99. ISBN 978-1-948898-21-8.
More Feeding Minds Press Books We Love
They publish picture books about modern agriculture, and we have reviewed and interviewed our way through several:
- Apples for All, by Mary Peterson
- The Soil in Jackie's Garden, by Peggy Thomas
- I Love Blueberries!, by Shannon Anderson
- Potatoes for Pirate Pearl, by Jennifer Concepcion