Now that over four-fifths of the U.S. population resides in urban areas and farmers are rapidly aging, there’s no better time to start your own urban farm.  You don’t have to be on a farm out in the country to have honey, chickens, fresh fruit, and fresh vegetables — and Old Manhattan Has Some Farms will happily provide the vivid imagery and soundtrack to help you out.

Bright and bold gouache imagery illustrate this new take on Old MacDonald Had a Farm making this a favorite to look through for the sake of the artwork alone.  Children from all walks of life are depicted in each scene helping adults as they compost, grow herbs, keep bees, farm on rooftops, and grow greens via hydroponics.  It’s accessible and inspiring!

It’s so much fun to hear my son sing E-I-E-I-Grow! He loves singing along with this book and seeing the children in each image inspires him to ask lots of questions.  He’s asked if we can keep bees and when we’re going to start our own garden.  He’s asked so many questions about if and when we can have our own garden that I’ve started taking him to Full Circle Farm in Sunnyvale, CA to volunteer. This is a great place where we’ve picked tomatoes, green beans, and done some weeding.

I’m so excited to see a picture book like this!  We read and sing Old Manhattan Has Some Farms regularly and each time I can’t help but think a little more about what we can do.

Ages 1 – 7. Charlesbridge.  August 2014. 32 pages. ISBN:  978-1580895729. Fiction.

Where to Get it:

• (Affiliate link): Amazon.com
• Worldcat.org
• (Affiliate link): Indiebound.org

You Should Read Old Manhattan Has Some Farms because:

• It’s a fun and easy way to introduce everyone to gardening on rooftops, community gardens, beekeeping, hydroponics, composting, and being a city farmer.
• Just as catchy and memorable to sing as Old MacDonald.
• Beautiful, bright illustrations that make worms, greens, and compost look dazzling and appealing to all.
• Each verse takes place in a different city with distinctive landmarks in the background.  This is a great introduction to urban areas around the United States and Canada.
• This book rings clear that, “Anyone can start a farm and that means you can start one, too.”
• After the song is a section discussing different aspects of urban farming, additional resources, and some suggestions on how to tweak the song to include different cities.
• It’s inspiring and empowering!

Author/Illustrator/Publisher Websites:

• Publisher:  http://www.charlesbridge.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=5876
• Sing Along with Caspar Babypants:  http://babypantsmusic.com/album/150469/old-manhattan-has-some-farms
• Susan Lendroth:  www.postwhistle.com
• Kate Endle:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kate-Endle-Collage/113420928674095  (Dazzling illustrations!)

More Reviews of this Book:

• https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/susan-lendroth/old-manhattan-has-some-farms/
• http://www.goodreadswithronna.com/2014/08/15/an-interview-with-susan-lendroth-author-of-old-manhattan-has-some-farms/  (Great interview!)
• http://www.cityfarmer.info/2014/07/19/old-manhattan-has-some-farms/
• http://www.urbanfarm.org/blog/1716-book-review-old-manhattan-has-some-farms
• http://ncteacherstuff.blogspot.com/2014/10/old-manhattan-has-some-farms.html

Where Obtained:  I received a review copy from the author. (But this is the kind of book I’d adore anyway.)  No other compensation was received.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

FTC Disclosures:  Some of the links in the post above are Amazon affiliate links and others are IndieBound affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase something, I will receive an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Which goes to fund my family’s picture book habit.  It’s a vicious cycle, but we manage.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”