On the Farm, at the Market
by G. Brian Karas; illus. by the author
Primary    Ottaviano/Holt    40 pp.
4/16    978-0-8050-9372-8    $16.99

Karas divides his entertaining and enlightening behind-the-scenes story of a farmers’ market into two sections. The first, “On the Farm,” places a sunny focus on the daily grind that keeps three types of farms running — vegetable, dairy (specifically cheese), mushroom — providing a glimpse into their operations. At each one, the text emphasizes the importance of timing and management of a well-trained team of workers. Children, too, help in small ways, eager to be part of the community. The farmers are seemingly successful — and happy — but also, realistically, exhausted: that their days end late into the night is repeated three times. The book’s second section, “At the Market,” brings the farmers together early the next morning, where the community-at-large benefits from their hard work. A chef thoughtfully selects produce and cheese as she visits with each vendor, then celebrates the end of market day with a farm-to-table meal shared by all. Gouache, acrylic, and pencil illustrations are rich with the colors of a bountiful harvest, and a cheerful camaraderie shines throughout. An author’s note rounds out the narrative with a few more agricultural facts.

From the March/April 2016 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.