"Packed with deliciousness, this fifth volume in Readers to Eater's Food Heroes series will delight seekers of all ages and inspire future female farmers. Captured in straightforward, descriptive verse, an information-packed biography of Massachusetts microfarmer Eva Sommaripa follows her beginnings as she is inspired by farmer's market herbs through her 50-year journey of growing and sharing gardening love. The subject's entrepreneurial spirit and sense of community are evident as Martin (Snowflake Bentley) brings Eva's garden to life through words; meanwhile, Hale uses subtly toned collage to unwrap the wonders of the environment in and under the garden, inviting children to examine all the little bits of nature scattered throughout. Educators will appreciate the treasure trove of gardening information, which includes an afterword by Eva, an author's note, extensive educational back matter, and additional resources. An all-around inspiring purchase for public-library collections that will spark readers' involvement." --Booklist

"Inspired by the scent of herbs at a local market, Eva Sommaripa started small by growing parsley, dill, and basil for her family on a parcel of land between the ocean and a forest. Martin's lyrical verse describes the pleasure that Eva experienced: "Tending plants under the blue sky / soil on her hands, birdsong all around, / Eva's best good time." Eventually, she added other greens and herbs, with enough to spare for local chefs and her farm workers' lunches. Eva's curiosity about the life beneath her work boots led to research about the creatures living there, from worms to microbes. Richly textured spreads and spot art, composed of prints and collage elements, illuminate the vital roles of those "critters" and display Eva's "compost buffet," which includes coffee husks and "fish and chips" (seaweed and shells). "Eva's Garden" has now been in business for more than 50 years; her nurturing has expanded to local children and new farmers who come to discover her sustainable methods. The joy Eva finds in the natural world culminates in her annual potluck, held in honor of the solstice. Eva's community is a diverse one. While championing female farmers, this sumptuous book also celebrates discovery and good taste."--Kirkus Reviews

"Picture books about adults may not be natural lures for children, but Farmer Eva's Green Garden Life, from Jacqueline Briggs Martin's Food Heroes series, has an inspired angle: its unseen narrator sounds like an awestruck kid ("My friend Eva Sommaripa lives so close to the ocean she can smell the sea, so close to woods she can talk to trees"). There's plenty of cause for awe in this offering from illustrator Christy Hale (Our School Garden!) and author Martin, who has written about four other real-life food stars (including Roy Choi and Sandor Katz) for her series... Throughout Farmer Eva's Green Garden Life, the finger-tempting collage art in subdued farm colors features plenty of children who can be seen rescuing salamanders, enjoying community-minded Sommaripa's annual Longest Day Summer Potluck, and so on. Several illustrations have the appearance of quilts, which suits the book's folksy-DIY spirit. Even the plant vignettes in the generous back matter look good enough to eat."--Shelf Awareness

"Farmer Eva's Garden Life is a poetic account of how one woman turned her passion into community both above and below ground. Kids and adults alike will be inspired by this beautifully illustrated recounting of her flavor-filled journey."--Em Shipman, Executive Director, KidsGardening.com

"A spectacular trip to the farm with a compelling story and equally accurate illustrations. Farmer Eva highlights the importance of farming, community and the soil that link us all."--Kevin Daugherty, Education Director, Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom

"Dig into the inspiring world of Farmer Eva in this captivating true story that mirrors the experiences of many female farmers. Through Farmer Eva's journey, young readers will explore essential themes like soil health, environmental stewardship, community engagement, and the joy of eating fresh, homegrown food. Despite often being overlooked and undercounted, there is increasing evidence that female farmers like Eva are making significant contributions to their communities, leading to improved well-being and a healthier environment. This delightful tale is sure to ignite curiosity for farming in every child and leave readers cheering "Bring Us More"! --Audra Mulkern, Founder, The Female Farmer Project

Publisher: Readers to Eaters

Pub date: 2024-06-25

Length: 32 pages