My husband and I have been talking for quite a while now about starting our own herb and vegie garden, so it was with even more excitement than usual that I was looking forward to the launch of 'A Patch from Scratch', written and illustrated by Megan Forward.
I was not disappointed!
This book is a beautiful portrayal of a real suburban family wanting to live like people on a farm. From getting chooks to mixing compost, from planting to harvesting, it culminates in a feast using all fresh ingredients from their own garden. I love that it's an informative 'how-to' book for kids, students, families and adults but told in an engaging narrative. The beautiful illustrations are bright and fresh.
Although longer than the current 500 word standard for picture book texts (close to 1900 words), we found ourselves so engrossed in the story and production of the garden that we didn't even notice the higher than usual word count. There's so much information nestled into the story, written in first person as the little brother in the family.
I love the fun loving nature of the main character and his realistic voice, one that children will, no doubt, find appealing. He loves getting dirty and making a mess, he imagines dirt smells like a cave and he thinks a 'rocket' plant will take them to the moon when they eat it!
It's also an interesting read for adults. It includes so much useful information on starting a vegie patch, like planting marigold flowers amongst the vegies to confuse the pests, making insect repelling sprays from natural ingredients, and showing a compost plan with ingredients to include. (The compost plan is adorable as it's a real picture drawn by Megan's son including little pac-man figures representing the bacteria helping enrich the soil - so cute!)
To top it all off, there's extra resources at the back including a glossary, relevant books, an illustrated cycle of how a vegetable garden works and recipes for the food mentioned in the story which can be made using ingredients from your patch.
The book launch was heaps of fun for kids at the lovely Riverbend Books in Bulimba, Brisbane. After hearing the story, they moved downstairs to participate in planting their own seeds, drawing with charcoal and painting in watercolours. I was very impressed to see their enthusiasm and talent!
I was not disappointed!
This book is a beautiful portrayal of a real suburban family wanting to live like people on a farm. From getting chooks to mixing compost, from planting to harvesting, it culminates in a feast using all fresh ingredients from their own garden. I love that it's an informative 'how-to' book for kids, students, families and adults but told in an engaging narrative. The beautiful illustrations are bright and fresh.
Although longer than the current 500 word standard for picture book texts (close to 1900 words), we found ourselves so engrossed in the story and production of the garden that we didn't even notice the higher than usual word count. There's so much information nestled into the story, written in first person as the little brother in the family.
I love the fun loving nature of the main character and his realistic voice, one that children will, no doubt, find appealing. He loves getting dirty and making a mess, he imagines dirt smells like a cave and he thinks a 'rocket' plant will take them to the moon when they eat it!
It's also an interesting read for adults. It includes so much useful information on starting a vegie patch, like planting marigold flowers amongst the vegies to confuse the pests, making insect repelling sprays from natural ingredients, and showing a compost plan with ingredients to include. (The compost plan is adorable as it's a real picture drawn by Megan's son including little pac-man figures representing the bacteria helping enrich the soil - so cute!)
To top it all off, there's extra resources at the back including a glossary, relevant books, an illustrated cycle of how a vegetable garden works and recipes for the food mentioned in the story which can be made using ingredients from your patch.
The book launch was heaps of fun for kids at the lovely Riverbend Books in Bulimba, Brisbane. After hearing the story, they moved downstairs to participate in planting their own seeds, drawing with charcoal and painting in watercolours. I was very impressed to see their enthusiasm and talent!
I can't recommend this book highly enough! Calling all kids, parents, grandparents, teachers, and librarians - you have to get your hands on a copy of this!
Congratulations Megan and Penguin Books on 'A Patch from Scratch', a beautiful, engaging and informative book, inspiring the beginnings of my own patch from scratch!
Congratulations Megan and Penguin Books on 'A Patch from Scratch', a beautiful, engaging and informative book, inspiring the beginnings of my own patch from scratch!
What would you like to grow in your own patch from scratch? Leave a comment!
#picture book # children #kids #vegetable #garden #sustainable #grow #healthy #education
#picture book # children #kids #vegetable #garden #sustainable #grow #healthy #education