Potatoes, Papaw, and Me

by Carol June Franks, Hiruni Kariyawasam (Illustrator)

What child doesn’t treasure a day with Grandpa on the farm? Potatoes, Papaw, and Me is a charming tale of a little girl helping her grandfather harvest potatoes. Written in verse, the rhythm and vivid vocabulary make each page a fun, upbeat read while leading the reader through lively snapshots from the garden, to the well, to the table, to relaxing when the work is done. Hiruni’s illustrations perfectly represent the tone of this engaging, fun-loving story. Follow along with these two animated characters as they enjoy each other and their chore on the farm. Unique to picture books , the final pages include tips for parents and teachers for reading Potatoes, Papaw, and Me and for using it as an anchor text for writing. While enjoying the story, parents and teachers can engage children in a way that helps them become even better readers and writers.

34 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2023

About the author

Carol June Franks loved writing, even as a child. She enjoyed creating narratives that sparked readers' imaginations and engaged them with characters, scenes, and emotions.

Later, as a teacher, she wanted to write in a way to engage her students in reading and to model what it means to be a writer. Participating in Louisville Writing Project’s Summer Institute, Carol learned how to write alongside her students interacting with them throughout the process. That’s how the idea for her first book, Potatoes, Papaw and Me began - a poem drafted as her class was exploring writing descriptive snapshots.
As writing with her class became the norm, more stories and characters came to life.

Now, as a retired teacher, Carol still desires to help children become better readers and writers. Her goal is to publish children’s books that are not only enjoyable for all ages to read, but also can be used by parents and teachers to enhance children’s reading and writing abilities. Carol's books include pages dedicated to ways parents and teachers can further engage children in reading and writing. Additionally, her website (https://www.junebugtales.com) has related lessons to further involve children in reading and writing.

Carol is a firm believer that picture books are a perfect venue for learning to read and write well.

Carol lives on a farm in Kentucky with her husband. They have one son, Kenny, who works in the world of tech and lives in California. She enjoys hiking, gardening, going to church, and being with family, friends, and her two dogs.

Reviews

[R.G. Rouen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Poetic Message of Time Well Spent With Grandpa

I loved everything about this book from the whimsical watercolour illustrations by Hiruni Kariyawasam to the delightful imagery and poetic style used by Carol June Franks. The message immediately transported me back in time to days spent with my grandfathers, one a forester in Germany, and the other, a rancher in the big state of Texas. Magical memories abound such as having a grandfather carve a bow and arrow set, and another teaching me to ride. The girl in this story also lives small moments of fun with grandpa which will no doubt leave the reader with a feeling that these special moments, albeit small, will turn into something big someday. This book is the perfect gift for kids and adult alike. Papaws will love it!

[Lynda Rees · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this awesome children's books. This inspiring story captures the imagination. It is written to make youngsters think about a subject they rarely consider. Getting into the woods, surrounded by trees is vital to my well-being. It's one many reasons I adore horseback riding. I hope millions of children learn to appreciate and treasure our woodlands and become considerate of how they are used.
Lynda Rees, https://LyndaReesAuthor.com

[Frances Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and told

A lovely story, beautifully illustrated with wondrous sentences that delight! A simple story about gathering and cooking potatoes but it tells much more - about the relationship the girl has with her grandpa and the sweet memories of being with him.

[June Triana-Schiada · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book inspires young wanna be writers!

First I loved the illustrators style. The images made you feel each emotion. The book overall, especially the guides at the end, would surely inspire children who want to write and others to enjoy reading. Wonderful book!