{"id":1191323649,"title":"Old Manhattan Has Some Farms","handle":"old-manhattan-has-some-farms","description":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/susan-lendroth\" title=\"Susan Lendroth bio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSusan Lendroth\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/kate-endle\" title=\"Kate Endle bio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKate Endle\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eE-I-E-I-Grow!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA clever new spin on \"Old MacDonald,\" this fun book explores the popular trend of urban farming. From rooftop farms and gardens on Manhattan high rises to neighborhood gardens in empty lots in Atlanta to hydroponic gardens in Seattle, growing food locally has become an important part of city-dwelling life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSet to the tune of the popular children's song, this bouncy rhyming text will get everyone reading (or singing) out loud. If you're not comfortable singing aloud, download the free recording of the song created by popular children's performer Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew, lead singer and songwriter for the band The Presidents of the United States of America). Six North American cities are highlighted, but included in the back matter are tips and tricks on how to alter the text so you can sing about your own hometown gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKate Endle's illustrations are simply pretty, like a garden at its peak-fresh and colorful and bursting with goodness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBack matter also includes more information about the different types of gardens introduced, additional resources, and the sheet music for the song.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Old Manhattan Has Some Farms\" href=\"http:\/\/babypantsmusic.com\/album\/150469\/old-manhattan-has-some-farms\"\u003eListen to and download\u003c\/a\u003e the song \"Old Manhattan Has Some Farms\" performed by Caspar Babypants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/one-little-lot\"\u003eOne Little Lot\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/plant-secrets\" title=\"Plant Secrets\"\u003ePlant Secrets\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/ugly-vegetables\" title=\"The Ugly Vegetables\"\u003eThe Ugly Vegetables\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/old-manhattan-has-some-spread.jpg?9701684121087570038\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Lendroth, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSusan Lendroth grew tomatoes in her backyard when she was a kid. Now she grows herbs on the kitchen windowsill in Southern California. Susan is the author of Calico Dorsey; Maneki Neko; Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep; and Why Explore?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/susan-lendroth\" title=\"Susan Lendroth bio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Susan Lendroth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKate Endle, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKate Endle was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. Encouraged to pursue her love of art, she attended The Columbus College of Art and Design where she received her Bachelor's degree in Illustration. Her work has appeared in children's books, magazines, greeting cards, and educational material. She lives in Seattle, Washington.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/kate-endle\" title=\"Kate Endle bio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Kate Endle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNCSS\/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOld MacDonald would be greatly surprised to find that although his cows and pigs and sheep might need a rural setting, cities are just fine for growing lots of healthy crops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom Manhattan to Atlanta to Chicago and beyond, in cities across the United States and Canada, urban farmers are carving out spaces on rooftops and windowsills, in empty lots, backyards and community gardens. Employing a variety of methods, they are raising vegetables and herbs or keeping bees and making honey. Worms and hydroponics aid in the endeavors of these farmers, and even the White House compost bins play their part. There's a lot of information to absorb, but Lendroth literally makes the facts sing to the tune of the old folk song, with the refrain \"E-I-E-I-Grow\" following each city's verse. The verses flow easily and follow the song's pattern in aabb rhyme while managaing to include such words as \"radicchio\" and \"arugula\" without missing a beat. The visual experience matches the text beautifully. An ethnically diverse cast of adults and children are busily digging, weeding and harvesting a variety of tempting foods in Endle's large-scale double-page spreads. Rendered in gouache, the illustrations are thickly outlined in back and filled with the brightest of eye-popping colors set among rich brown soil and myriad greens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle ones will sing along and get their own gardens growing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLendroth (\u003ci\u003eCalico Dorsey\u003c\/i\u003e) commandeers a classic nursery rhyme and moves its agricultural subject matter into the city, allowing readers to literally sing the praises of urban farming efforts in New York City, Atlanta, Toronto, and other locations with an “E-I-E-I-grow!” Working in a vibrant palette of acrylics, Endle (\u003ci\u003eMy Woodland Wish\u003c\/i\u003e) paints active scenes of children and adults planting seedlings on rooftop farms and once-empty lots, stringing up dried herbs, and tending to beehives. Thick black outlines and the characters’ ovoid heads give the scenes an almost coloring-book feel; ringers for Michelle Obama and Bo can be spotted as readers travel to Washington, D.C., to check out compost bins at the White House. Lendroth’s lyrics create a few tongue-twisting moments (“With a heat lamp here,\/ hydroponics there—\/ arugula, radicchio,\/ salad greens are great to grow”), but it’s easy to get into the enthusiastic fun of this adaptation. Resources provided in endnotes underscore the idea that “Anyone can start a farm.” The song is also available for free download, performed by children’s musician Caspar Bossypants [sic].\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe traditional song moves into the 21st century as Lendroth explores various types of urban farming, giving children a broader perspective of modern city gardening. Sites and topics include farming on rooftops, composting, growing worms, and cultivating bee hives. The verses are simple, and the concept is clever, with each line ending with \"E-I-E-I Grow.\" Each verse is introduced with the drawings of iconic cityscapes: Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, Seattle, New York City, and Washington, DC, specifically, the White House. With the exception of Atlanta, each of the city outlines are recognizable by some famous feature, such as the Empire State Building or the Space Needle. Multiethnic families, with charmingly drawn round-headed children, demonstrate the varieties of the gardening projects. The illustrations are brightly colored with heavy black outlines. More detailed information about these approaches to urban gardening appear at the end in a section entitled \"Green Matters.\" The cover includes a link to download the song, sung by Caspar Babypants. Deborah Hodge's \u003ci\u003eWatch Me Grow!: A Down-to-Earth Look at Growing Food in the City\u003c\/i\u003e (Kids Can, 2011) is similar but illustrated with photos. Old Manhattan will make a great addition to most collections and should encourage children to create verses for their own communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/old-manhattan-has-some-cvr.jpg?14382642210853180653\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/old-manhattan-has-some-hires.zip?9143235439071737420\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-572-9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-746-0 EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-648-7 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 3-7\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e8 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 11\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCorrelated to Common Core State Standards:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 1. Standards 1-8 and 10.\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 2. Standards 1, 3-8, and 10.\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2015-06-15T12:09:00-04:00","created_at":"2015-06-12T16:18:45-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Subject_Food \u0026 Nutrition","Browse by Subject_Science \u0026 Nature"],"price":399,"price_min":399,"price_max":848,"available":true,"price_varies":true,"compare_at_price":799,"compare_at_price_min":799,"compare_at_price_max":1695,"compare_at_price_varies":true,"variants":[{"id":3633678721,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"95729","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":12946830852175,"product_id":1191323649,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-10-08T08:14:40-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-13T13:52:52-04:00","alt":"Old Manhattan Has Some Farms book cover","width":600,"height":771,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/old-manhattan-has-some-cover.jpg?v=1586800372","variant_ids":[3633678721]},"available":true,"name":"Old Manhattan Has Some Farms - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":848,"weight":437,"compare_at_price":1695,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-58089-572-9","featured_media":{"alt":"Old Manhattan Has Some Farms book cover","id":2481571266639,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.778,"height":771,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/old-manhattan-has-some-cover.jpg?v=1586800372"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":27812409159,"title":"Board","option1":"Board","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"95736","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":12946831999055,"product_id":1191323649,"position":2,"created_at":"2019-10-08T08:14:54-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-13T13:53:06-04:00","alt":"Old Manhattan Has Some Farms board book cover","width":600,"height":840,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/old-manhattan-has-some-bb-cover.jpg?v=1586800386","variant_ids":[27812409159]},"available":true,"name":"Old Manhattan Has Some Farms - Board","public_title":"Board","options":["Board"],"price":399,"weight":283,"compare_at_price":799,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-58089-573-6","featured_media":{"alt":"Old Manhattan Has Some Farms board book cover","id":2481572413519,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.714,"height":840,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/old-manhattan-has-some-bb-cover.jpg?v=1586800386"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/old-manhattan-has-some-cover.jpg?v=1586800372","\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/old-manhattan-has-some-bb-cover.jpg?v=1586800386"],"featured_image":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/old-manhattan-has-some-cover.jpg?v=1586800372","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Old Manhattan Has Some Farms book cover","id":2481571266639,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.778,"height":771,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/old-manhattan-has-some-cover.jpg?v=1586800372"},"aspect_ratio":0.778,"height":771,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/old-manhattan-has-some-cover.jpg?v=1586800372","width":600},{"alt":"Old Manhattan Has Some Farms board book cover","id":2481572413519,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.714,"height":840,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/old-manhattan-has-some-bb-cover.jpg?v=1586800386"},"aspect_ratio":0.714,"height":840,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/old-manhattan-has-some-bb-cover.jpg?v=1586800386","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/susan-lendroth\" title=\"Susan Lendroth bio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSusan Lendroth\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/kate-endle\" title=\"Kate Endle bio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKate Endle\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eE-I-E-I-Grow!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA clever new spin on \"Old MacDonald,\" this fun book explores the popular trend of urban farming. From rooftop farms and gardens on Manhattan high rises to neighborhood gardens in empty lots in Atlanta to hydroponic gardens in Seattle, growing food locally has become an important part of city-dwelling life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSet to the tune of the popular children's song, this bouncy rhyming text will get everyone reading (or singing) out loud. If you're not comfortable singing aloud, download the free recording of the song created by popular children's performer Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew, lead singer and songwriter for the band The Presidents of the United States of America). Six North American cities are highlighted, but included in the back matter are tips and tricks on how to alter the text so you can sing about your own hometown gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKate Endle's illustrations are simply pretty, like a garden at its peak-fresh and colorful and bursting with goodness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBack matter also includes more information about the different types of gardens introduced, additional resources, and the sheet music for the song.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Old Manhattan Has Some Farms\" href=\"http:\/\/babypantsmusic.com\/album\/150469\/old-manhattan-has-some-farms\"\u003eListen to and download\u003c\/a\u003e the song \"Old Manhattan Has Some Farms\" performed by Caspar Babypants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/one-little-lot\"\u003eOne Little Lot\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/plant-secrets\" title=\"Plant Secrets\"\u003ePlant Secrets\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/ugly-vegetables\" title=\"The Ugly Vegetables\"\u003eThe Ugly Vegetables\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/old-manhattan-has-some-spread.jpg?9701684121087570038\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Lendroth, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSusan Lendroth grew tomatoes in her backyard when she was a kid. Now she grows herbs on the kitchen windowsill in Southern California. Susan is the author of Calico Dorsey; Maneki Neko; Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep; and Why Explore?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/susan-lendroth\" title=\"Susan Lendroth bio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Susan Lendroth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKate Endle, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKate Endle was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. Encouraged to pursue her love of art, she attended The Columbus College of Art and Design where she received her Bachelor's degree in Illustration. Her work has appeared in children's books, magazines, greeting cards, and educational material. She lives in Seattle, Washington.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/kate-endle\" title=\"Kate Endle bio\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Kate Endle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNCSS\/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOld MacDonald would be greatly surprised to find that although his cows and pigs and sheep might need a rural setting, cities are just fine for growing lots of healthy crops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom Manhattan to Atlanta to Chicago and beyond, in cities across the United States and Canada, urban farmers are carving out spaces on rooftops and windowsills, in empty lots, backyards and community gardens. Employing a variety of methods, they are raising vegetables and herbs or keeping bees and making honey. Worms and hydroponics aid in the endeavors of these farmers, and even the White House compost bins play their part. There's a lot of information to absorb, but Lendroth literally makes the facts sing to the tune of the old folk song, with the refrain \"E-I-E-I-Grow\" following each city's verse. The verses flow easily and follow the song's pattern in aabb rhyme while managaing to include such words as \"radicchio\" and \"arugula\" without missing a beat. The visual experience matches the text beautifully. An ethnically diverse cast of adults and children are busily digging, weeding and harvesting a variety of tempting foods in Endle's large-scale double-page spreads. Rendered in gouache, the illustrations are thickly outlined in back and filled with the brightest of eye-popping colors set among rich brown soil and myriad greens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle ones will sing along and get their own gardens growing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLendroth (\u003ci\u003eCalico Dorsey\u003c\/i\u003e) commandeers a classic nursery rhyme and moves its agricultural subject matter into the city, allowing readers to literally sing the praises of urban farming efforts in New York City, Atlanta, Toronto, and other locations with an “E-I-E-I-grow!” Working in a vibrant palette of acrylics, Endle (\u003ci\u003eMy Woodland Wish\u003c\/i\u003e) paints active scenes of children and adults planting seedlings on rooftop farms and once-empty lots, stringing up dried herbs, and tending to beehives. Thick black outlines and the characters’ ovoid heads give the scenes an almost coloring-book feel; ringers for Michelle Obama and Bo can be spotted as readers travel to Washington, D.C., to check out compost bins at the White House. Lendroth’s lyrics create a few tongue-twisting moments (“With a heat lamp here,\/ hydroponics there—\/ arugula, radicchio,\/ salad greens are great to grow”), but it’s easy to get into the enthusiastic fun of this adaptation. Resources provided in endnotes underscore the idea that “Anyone can start a farm.” The song is also available for free download, performed by children’s musician Caspar Bossypants [sic].\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe traditional song moves into the 21st century as Lendroth explores various types of urban farming, giving children a broader perspective of modern city gardening. Sites and topics include farming on rooftops, composting, growing worms, and cultivating bee hives. The verses are simple, and the concept is clever, with each line ending with \"E-I-E-I Grow.\" Each verse is introduced with the drawings of iconic cityscapes: Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, Seattle, New York City, and Washington, DC, specifically, the White House. With the exception of Atlanta, each of the city outlines are recognizable by some famous feature, such as the Empire State Building or the Space Needle. Multiethnic families, with charmingly drawn round-headed children, demonstrate the varieties of the gardening projects. The illustrations are brightly colored with heavy black outlines. More detailed information about these approaches to urban gardening appear at the end in a section entitled \"Green Matters.\" The cover includes a link to download the song, sung by Caspar Babypants. Deborah Hodge's \u003ci\u003eWatch Me Grow!: A Down-to-Earth Look at Growing Food in the City\u003c\/i\u003e (Kids Can, 2011) is similar but illustrated with photos. Old Manhattan will make a great addition to most collections and should encourage children to create verses for their own communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/old-manhattan-has-some-cvr.jpg?14382642210853180653\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/old-manhattan-has-some-hires.zip?9143235439071737420\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-572-9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-746-0 EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-648-7 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 3-7\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e8 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 11\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCorrelated to Common Core State Standards:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 1. Standards 1-8 and 10.\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 2. Standards 1, 3-8, and 10.\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

Old Manhattan Has Some Farms

By: Susan Lendroth / Illustrated by: Kate Endle

E-I-E-I-Grow!

A clever new spin on "Old MacDonald," this fun book explores the popular trend of urban farming. From rooftop farms and gardens on Manhattan high rises to neighborhood gardens in empty lots in Atlanta to hydroponic gardens in Seattle, growing food locally has become an important part of city-dwelling life.

Set to the tune of the popular children's song, this bouncy rhyming text will get everyone reading (or singing) out loud. If you're not comfortable singing aloud, download the free recording of the song created by popular children's performer Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew, lead singer and songwriter for the band The Presidents of the United States of America). Six North American cities are highlighted, but included in the back matter are tips and tricks on how to alter the text so you can sing about your own hometown gardens.

Kate Endle's illustrations are simply pretty, like a garden at its peak-fresh and colorful and bursting with goodness.

Back matter also includes more information about the different types of gardens introduced, additional resources, and the sheet music for the song.

Listen to and download the song "Old Manhattan Has Some Farms" performed by Caspar Babypants.

$ 16.95
Maximum quantity available reached.

Susan Lendroth, author

Susan Lendroth grew tomatoes in her backyard when she was a kid. Now she grows herbs on the kitchen windowsill in Southern California. Susan is the author of Calico Dorsey; Maneki Neko; Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep; and Why Explore?

Read more about Susan Lendroth.


Kate Endle, illustrator

Kate Endle was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. Encouraged to pursue her love of art, she attended The Columbus College of Art and Design where she received her Bachelor's degree in Illustration. Her work has appeared in children's books, magazines, greeting cards, and educational material. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

Read more about Kate Endle.

  • NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

Kirkus Reviews

Old MacDonald would be greatly surprised to find that although his cows and pigs and sheep might need a rural setting, cities are just fine for growing lots of healthy crops.

From Manhattan to Atlanta to Chicago and beyond, in cities across the United States and Canada, urban farmers are carving out spaces on rooftops and windowsills, in empty lots, backyards and community gardens. Employing a variety of methods, they are raising vegetables and herbs or keeping bees and making honey. Worms and hydroponics aid in the endeavors of these farmers, and even the White House compost bins play their part. There's a lot of information to absorb, but Lendroth literally makes the facts sing to the tune of the old folk song, with the refrain "E-I-E-I-Grow" following each city's verse. The verses flow easily and follow the song's pattern in aabb rhyme while managaing to include such words as "radicchio" and "arugula" without missing a beat. The visual experience matches the text beautifully. An ethnically diverse cast of adults and children are busily digging, weeding and harvesting a variety of tempting foods in Endle's large-scale double-page spreads. Rendered in gouache, the illustrations are thickly outlined in back and filled with the brightest of eye-popping colors set among rich brown soil and myriad greens.

Little ones will sing along and get their own gardens growing.

Publishers Weekly

Lendroth (Calico Dorsey) commandeers a classic nursery rhyme and moves its agricultural subject matter into the city, allowing readers to literally sing the praises of urban farming efforts in New York City, Atlanta, Toronto, and other locations with an “E-I-E-I-grow!” Working in a vibrant palette of acrylics, Endle (My Woodland Wish) paints active scenes of children and adults planting seedlings on rooftop farms and once-empty lots, stringing up dried herbs, and tending to beehives. Thick black outlines and the characters’ ovoid heads give the scenes an almost coloring-book feel; ringers for Michelle Obama and Bo can be spotted as readers travel to Washington, D.C., to check out compost bins at the White House. Lendroth’s lyrics create a few tongue-twisting moments (“With a heat lamp here,/ hydroponics there—/ arugula, radicchio,/ salad greens are great to grow”), but it’s easy to get into the enthusiastic fun of this adaptation. Resources provided in endnotes underscore the idea that “Anyone can start a farm.” The song is also available for free download, performed by children’s musician Caspar Bossypants [sic].

School Library Journal

The traditional song moves into the 21st century as Lendroth explores various types of urban farming, giving children a broader perspective of modern city gardening. Sites and topics include farming on rooftops, composting, growing worms, and cultivating bee hives. The verses are simple, and the concept is clever, with each line ending with "E-I-E-I Grow." Each verse is introduced with the drawings of iconic cityscapes: Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, Seattle, New York City, and Washington, DC, specifically, the White House. With the exception of Atlanta, each of the city outlines are recognizable by some famous feature, such as the Empire State Building or the Space Needle. Multiethnic families, with charmingly drawn round-headed children, demonstrate the varieties of the gardening projects. The illustrations are brightly colored with heavy black outlines. More detailed information about these approaches to urban gardening appear at the end in a section entitled "Green Matters." The cover includes a link to download the song, sung by Caspar Babypants. Deborah Hodge's Watch Me Grow!: A Down-to-Earth Look at Growing Food in the City (Kids Can, 2011) is similar but illustrated with photos. Old Manhattan will make a great addition to most collections and should encourage children to create verses for their own communities.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-58089-572-9

E-book
ISBN: 978-1-60734-746-0 EPUB
ISBN: 978-1-60734-648-7 PDF

Ages: 3-7
Page count: 32
8 1/2 x 11

Correlated to Common Core State Standards:
English Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 1. Standards 1-8 and 10.
English Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 2. Standards 1, 3-8, and 10.