Up We Grow!: A Year in the Life of a Small, Local Farm

by Deborah Hodge, Brian Harris (Illustrator)

Up We Grow! is an informative and inspiring book highlighting the importance of small, local farms. Heartwarming photos invite children into the world of a small, co-operative farm over four seasons. Readers will get to know the hardworking farmers who plow, plant, compost, mulch, harvest and market fruits and vegetables, and care for animals. Rarely has the important work of a farm been so lovingly presented in photos and text. The book focuses on production as well as the human interaction that makes up small-scale, local farm culture. Children will discover people of all ages and abilities working together to grow and share food, while protecting and respecting the land and animals we depend upon for our sustenance.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

Deborah Hodge is the award-winning author of 25 books for children. She specializes in writing engaging nonfiction for primary aged children. Her most recent title is Up We Grow! A Year in the Life of a Small, Local Farm, a book on sustainable farming and where our food comes from. Her other work includes, The Kids Book of Canada's Railway, winner of the Information Book Award of Canada, and Lily and the Mixed-up Letters, named an Outstanding Book for Young People with Disabilities. Deborah is a former primary teacher and curriculum writer for the BC Ministry of Education. She lives in Vancouver, Canada.

Reviews

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows the beauty and work of running a small farm. The book moves from season to season, highlighting the work being done at that time. In spring, seeds are sown, plants are transplanted, compost is spread. In summer the animals and plants are growing bigger. The flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, crops are being harvested, and they have a farm celebration. In fall, it’s harvest time for crops and for honey. The farmers markets are active and the farmers are saving seeds to use next year. In winter, it is slower. The farmers repair their equipment, feed their animals, and grow plants in the greenhouse. This book offers lots of information in friendly green boxes that specifically talk about sustainable practices. It is a gentle way to introduce organic farming to young readers.

Hodge’s text is refreshingly light in tone, often asking readers to talk about their own experiences. Her use of text in boxes for the more dense, factual portions works very well, making the book flexible for different ages and audiences. Harris’ photographs really capture the fresh air and sunshine of a farm. From friendly animals to deep rich soil, his photos are interesting and vibrant.

A book that will have everyone wanting to munch some farm-fresh veggies and visit a friendly goat or two, it is a warm invitation to investigate small farms in your area or at least spend some time at a farmer’s market this fall. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been interested in farming life. Although I'm afraid of every creepy crawly that exists, so I'll never be able to do this myself, the subject simply fascinates me. Especially today, when I buy the majority of our foods at the farmers market.

So this book is right up my alley. I like that it speaks directly to the reader, not as if it's telling a story, but directly to you, as if a teacher is patiently, and completely, explaining the different aspects of farming, from growing plants to raising animals. It's divided into seasons to describe what happens at the farm during different times of the year. As a bonus, the pictures are as descriptive as the words on the page.

The author mentions composting – another subject I love. But, again, I'm afraid of the little bugs. I need to get over it, fast.

Both of my daughters enjoyed this book. LuLu likes the sowing of seeds, since she's planting plants at school. She's trying to earn her green thumb. Coco liked the photo of the ladybug and the one with the baby who had raspberry pie all over her face. It was really cute!

Reviewed for Arms of a Sister

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A season-by-season look at life on a cooperative, sustainable farm. I liked the questions scattered throughout the text that will engage young readers and build connections between their lives and the activities on the farm.

[Angelica Bergman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about local farms. It wasn't dry and boring. It was great how it was broke up into seasons, and they tried to include the reader with small little questions. The photos were perfect and as a parent I enjoyed reading about sustainable farms in the end.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful photographs and information for young readers

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful photographic account of a small sustainable farm throughout the seasons

[CFAITC]

Go through the four seasons on a small farm to see how food is grown and animals are raised.