Picture Book: Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table
Author:
Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Illustrator: Eric-Shabazz
Larkin
Summary:
Farmer Will Allen, a former basketball star, “can see what others can’t see.” He
sees every kid as a potential farmer and empty urban spaces as farms waiting to
happen. His family heritage was a table overflowing with good food, mostly from
the garden. After his sports career, Will began a crusade for improving the
diets of urban families, believing that everyone had a right to good food. He
bought abandoned greenhouses in a city lot in Milwaukee, WI, studied the
science of farming, and taught others how to compost and grow food. Will’s “table”
began to grow. He expanded his gardens, designed natural farm methods, and
named his farm “Growing Power.” Eventually Will began traveling all over the
world to inspire and teach others to use their urban spaces and expand their own
growing tables. Will’s farm has thousands of visitors each year. He hopes that
someday, “city farms are as common as street lights, and every table is covered
with good food.”
Hanna’s Comments: Will Allen’s passion is big, as is his desire to teach and
change the world’s table. Consider offering some locally grown fruits and
vegetables when you read this book to your audience. While preparing, be sure
to read the Afterward by Will Allen and the Note from the Author. Good food and
opportunities for feasting are delightful aspects of God’s blessings. Be sure
to recognize and celebrate them in your faith community.
Original Publisher & Date: Readers to Eaters Books, 2013
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 6 and up, 1st and up
# of Pages:
32
Available in Spanish? Not at Present
Formats other than Book: None at present, There are videos on YouTube of Will Allen talking about urban farming.
PBT Category:
Fresh off the Press
PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, action, aspirations/dreams,
attentiveness/observation/seeing, blessings, body of Christ,
call/calling/vocation, caring/tending, confidence,
creativity/imagination/ingenuity, dependence/interdependence, Earth/world, the
environment/nature, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition,
gardening/planting/pruning/sowing, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship,
gifts/giftedness/talents, God’s will, goodness, harvest, helping, heroes, image
of God, jubilee, justice, leadership/servant leadership, land/mountains/soil, manna, mentors/teachers,
mission, nurturing, outreach, participation, passion, pleasing God/the Shema,
power, prophesy/prophets, purpose, renewal/restoration, satisfaction, servant
hood/service/serving, sharing, sports/sports stars, at table, transformation,
treasure, unity, variety, vision, wisdom
Scripture Connections: For I was hungry and you gave me food (Matthew 25:35); I came that they may have abundant life (John
10:10); Peter’s Dream (Acts 10)
Idea(s) for Application: In a religious setting, this book would be an excellent addition to a lesson on creative answers to justice inequities. In a home school/private school where you can share your faith, read this book in a science lesson. Incorporate the botany that is offered in this book along with the concept of God's desire for us to have abundant life.
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