INTRODUCTION
Carolyn Fraiser is not new to my blog; her last book I featured was Moon Tree. Carolyn has an exceptional talent of making what might appear to be ordinary, something quite spectacular!
Her newest picture book is not just any ol’ alphabet book. And it’s not just a nod to farmers and to a way of life that many children aren’t familiar with. It’s also a masterful display of one of my favorite types of figurative language– ALLITERATION!
Here’s the first spread to prove my point:
REVIEW
The book follows these three children as they, and the adults in their lives, enjoy the pleasures of homesteading.
Young readers will see a mother baking buttermilk biscuits for breakfast and peek into a pantry filled with canned creamed corn and cucumbers (from county fair cookbooks– of course!)
They’ll wish they were in this picture:
Or, get to collect eggs from excited hens!
The colorful and soft illustrations by Sally Garland provide a homey feel to the book. And I smiled as I turned the pages, wishing that I had a child in my lap to read this book to!
The page, “O is for orchards packed with oranges and olives on wide-open farms” reminded me of a farm in southern Spain where I picked oodles of oranges and ate outstanding olives! (back at you, Carolyn!)
Hard work is also shown:
This educational book ends with 26 ways kids can get involved on a homestead. Some activites can be adapted for city dwellers. I predict that children will enjoy learning their A,B,C’s in this unique tribute to homesteading.
GIVEAWAY
Leave me a comment by September 9 if you’re interested in winning this book. If you are a teacher, librarian, or homeschool educator, or share the post on social media, you will get 2 chances to win. U.S. addresses only.
I just have to win!!!
I just have to get this book!!!
Wow!
Thanks, Linda! If you share this on social media and tag me, I’ll give you two chances!! The list starts with your name.
Ooooh. I love alphabet books, and this one looks lovely. I shared your link on Bluesky. https://bsky.app/profile/rosihollinbeck.bsky.social/post/3ly53wfjbwc2t
Thank you, Rosi. You are in twice! And it is lovely!
I’m not a teacher or even working with any students at the moment, but I just wanted to say this book looks like it would be equally important for urban students to learn about a world they know nothing about. Please let someone who really wants to win have this one!
Thank you, Laura. That is true and you are kind to pass on the giveaway! I hope you decide to subscribe to my blog and find a book that you want on your shelf!
Absolutely! There are SO many ways that kids in urban areas can begin to experiment with homesteading concepts — I hope they will!
I just got a copy yesterday, so you don’t have to enter my name.
It’s a beautiful book! The only thing that threw me was harvesting vanilla beans. That felt stuck in for the letter V. Is vanilla really a homesteading crop? I have no idea. haha! But otherwise, I love it! And am planning to gift it to a friend who just had her 3rd baby and her family homesteads. She’s going to love it, too!
That’s a thoughtful question, Pam. I appreciate you leaving a comment.
I’m going to look it up. Because I grow lots of things in my backyard. I’d love to grow vanilla and make my own vanilla extract!
It looks like, depending on where you live, you can grow vanilla. I would not be able to do it in New Jersey. https://www.epicgardening.com/how-to-grow-vanilla/
Yes, vanilla is a hard one, but I do know homesteaders who do this. I really wish this was something I could grow — I love vanilla!
I’ve been thinking about this for days! Vanilla needs a more tropical climate, but I wonder how it would do in a greenhouse? Of course, in our area we can get some pretty cold temps, so I’d need a greenhouse that has a heater. Which I don’t think my hubby would go for for only vanilla.
It’s so clever! I already have the book, no need to enter my name. Great work on this book, Carolyn!!
Thanks, Marci. I assume this book resonated with you!
SO glad you liked it Marci!
What a great topic for a book! Looking forward to reading this one.
Wonderful mix of history, alphabet and alliteration! Would love to win and share w/an elementary library in my former district.
thank you, Melanie. Your name goes in twice.
This is a wonderful book! Congrats again, Carolyn!
A genius alphabet book! It’s beautiful! Congratulations Carolyn and Sally :)
Thank you, Donna! I’m sure Carolyn will appreciate your comment!
Thank you so much Donna!
This sounds like a fantastic picture book. I really enjoyed the snippets of text you shared. I’ll let someone else who has someone to read the book with win.
Thanks for your comment Natalie, that is kind of you!
Pam–I think it’s great that this picture book has you thinking about growing vanilla in NJ!!