  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 01/01/2016 PreS-Gr 1—A great behind-the-scenes look at what happens before, during, and after a farmer's market. The first half of the book shows farmers and their children getting ready for the next day's market, picking and crating vegetables, making cheese, and gathering mushrooms. The second half shows the market set up, customers buying comestibles, and, finally, everyone cleaning up at the end of the day. An author's note at the back emphasizes the importance of timing for farmers and that farming is no easy job. Karas's signature cartoonish gouache, acrylic, and pencil illustrations wonderfully capture the industrious bustle and hard work of the farmers. VERDICT A wonderfully timely story to read before visiting a farmer's market or to educate young ones about provenance of local food.—Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 03/15/2016 This two-part picture book begins with three small farms: one grows produce outdoors, another cultivates mushrooms indoors, the dairy makes cheese. As the afternoon draws to a close, each farmer and his workers prepare for the next day. Morning finds the farmers setting up their tents and tables at the farmers’ market. Among their first customers is Amy, a cook buying ingredients for the dish she will serve that evening at the café. Late in the day, the farmers pack up—and it’s time for Amy’s special Market Pie. Enhancing the book’s appeal, children appear in most of the illustrations, helping out at their families’ farms and enjoying each other’s company in town. The text flows well, with dialogue carrying some of the farming and cheese-making information. Created with gouache, acrylic, and pencil, the artwork has an inviting look. Kids familiar with their local outdoor markets will enjoy making the connection between their experience and the farms supplying those vegetables and cheese stands. This appealing picture book offers a light narrative and a look behind the scenes. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. Loading...
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