  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 06/01/2015 Like Thomas’ Farmer George Plants a Nation (2008), which looks at George Washington through an agricultural lens, this picture book takes a similar approach in presenting facets of Thomas Jefferson’s life. Always referring to Jefferson as Thomas, the narrative begins with his response to a French naturalist’s uninformed slurs on American animals—writing a book in rebuttal. Next, it discusses his efforts to stimulate European demand for American produce and his concerns about an agricultural pest. The description of his presidency emphasizes the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. While the farming metaphors (“After planting the seed of freedom writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas had something new to nurture”) are fine initially, they become tiresome through overuse. Hand-lettered quotes from Jefferson and line-drawing caricatures are incorporated into the paintings, which look simultaneously naive and sophisticated. An informative supplement to more standard picture-book biographies of Jefferson, such as Maira Kalman’s Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Everything (2013), this book targets a somewhat older audience. - Copyright 2015 Booklist. School Library Journal - 09/01/2015 Gr 3–6—In this illustrated biography, Thomas continues her portraits of Americans who contributed to the development of the United States. As the author establishes, Thomas Jefferson had many interests, including his passion for plants and animals, which was evident in his roles as farmer, diplomat, and president. In his work Notes on the State of Virginia, he refuted the false information in Count Buffon's book, which stated that North American wildlife couldn't compare with the creatures of the Old World. While in Paris securing trade agreements, Jefferson promoted the rich plant life of the Americas by growing corn, cantaloupe, and watermelon in his garden. In return, he shipped olive trees and dry rice back to the farmers in the United States. As president, he sent Lewis and Clark on an expedition to explore the Northwest region of the country; they sent box after box of seeds, sketches, and animal specimens to our curious president. When his presidency was over, Jefferson returned to Monticello to resurrect his neglected fields and lay the foundation for the University of Virginia, which included a botanical garden. Thomas's engaging text is thoroughly researched, with solid source notes for each quotation. Historical details and illustrations are blended perfectly. Rendered in gouache on paper, the art has a slyly humorous quality, with Innerst adding a hint of Jefferson's distinctive red hair color in the tones and shades on most pages. (The artist also used a quill to hand letter all the quotes.) VERDICT A first purchase.—Sharon M. Lawler, formerly of Randolph Elementary, Randolph AFB, TX - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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