If I Were a Farmer: Tommy's Adventure

Review by Midwest Book Review, May 20, 2011.

"...describes a boy's imagined adventures as a farm hero with his dog, Rex, in carefully illustrated, colorful detail."'

"...includes many descriptions and details of farm tools, tasks, tractors, and implements used in daily work."

"...A handy Glossary at the end gives solid, practical definitions of special farm terms and tools used in the story."

"...has nostalgic appeal for adults as well as educational and entertainment value for children."

See Midwest Book Review website for the entire review. www.midwestbookreview.com

If I Were A Farmer: Field Work

Review by Audrey Kletscher Helbling, Minnesota Moments

Fredrickson’s subtle humor shines in Field Work as page by opposite page, he compares past farming practices and farm equipment to modern-day farming practices and equipment.

His book reconnects me to the past, to those years on the farm. So for that reason, Fredrickson’s story also appeals to adults, particularly former farm kids.

For those unfamiliar with agriculture through the years, Fredrickson’s story provides a history lesson. He even includes a glossary (per my suggestion after publication of an earlier book) to further aid readers in understanding the equipment and other terminology used in his story.

From working the soil through planting and harvesting, this former farmer details the growing season via would-be farmers. Little Nancy imagines herself as a modern-day farmer while Tommy prefers older equipment and practices from about the 1950s. Children, especially those ages 6 – 8, will enjoy the storyline and the educational content woven into it.

I don’t want to spoil the ending for you, but the humorous clincher last page clearly shows me that Fredrickson, even though an award-winning writer now, is a true mustard-pulling, rock-picking, scoop-shoveling farm boy at heart.

                           What Children are Saying:

Review by Sophia (age 7) and Madeline (age 9) McElroy for Reader Views Kids

Sophia:  I loved this book because the pictures were nice, and also I liked what the book talked about - kid farmers! My favorite part of the book was when they all worked together as a team. I also liked the part when they were riding the tractors. I would choose to use the new tractors for my farm because they have air-conditioning! My favorite picture in the book was when the neighbors were talking about old and new tractors because they both had their pets on the tractors with them. I think it would be nice to live on a farm.

Madeline:  This is a funny book about farming from a kid's point of view. I learned that tractors can be very expensive and that farming takes a lot of work! The drawings are good and they are fun too. My favorite picture is the little girl driving the hay tractor. My favorite part is when the little boy and his dog ride on the small tractor and the dog is riding on the back off it! This is a really nice book; it's very fun to read. I have read the first book by this author and I think they're both really good books. I think I would rather work on the farm with the animals than in the field. The "If I Were a Farmer" series has really fun books to read. If you liked this book you might like the others too!

Sophia and Madeline:  We both highly recommend this fun book, If I Were a Farmer: Field Work.

If I Were A Farmer: Nancy's Adventure

Review by Audrey Kletscher Helbling, Minnesota Moments

I'm especially delighted about a new children's picture book, If I Were a Farmer, Nancy's Adventure by Lakeville author and storyteller Gordon W. Fredrickson. His story hearkens to bygone days on the farm, preserving an important piece of rural history while educating today's children.

Written for young children, If I Were a Farmer shares the dreams of little Nancy, who wishes she lived on a farm. Minneapolis illustrator David H. Jewell appropriately dresses freckle-faced Nancy in bib overalls, a red shirt and red cap as she begins her imaginary adventure. He writes about a time when cows grazed in pastures, tractors didn't have cabs and pipeline milking systems didn't exist.

While this picture book can get nostalgic for farm-raised adults, it's, more importantly, packed with creatively-presented agricultural information for kids. A glossary for words like "dry cows," "heifers" and even "spreader" would be helpful for kids and adults far enough removed from rural life to need definitions.

To read the entire review and other articles by Audrey Kletscher Helbling, click here.

Review by Midwest Book Review
If I Were A Farmer is featured is featured in the July 2009 issue of "Children's Bookwatch."

An original and thoroughly entertaining story by Gordon W. Fredrickson, the full color illustrations by David Jewell truly bring If I Were A Farmer, Nancy's Adventure  to life for appreciative young readers. If I Were A Farmer is enthusiastically recommended for family, school, and community library picture book collections. ~See Midwest Book Review website for the entire review. www.midwestbookreview.com

                           What Children are Saying:

Review by Sophia McElroy (age 5.5) and Madeline McElroy (age 7.5) for Reader Views Kids

 Sophia: This is a story about a girl who wants to be a farmer and her cat named Dusty. I liked learning about life on a farm. I think it would be fun to live on a farm. I would like to learn how to milk a cow, but only if I could wear gloves! My favorite picture in the story is when the cow is licking the kitty. I like all the farm animals the best. This was an easy book to read.

Madeline: I would give this book one hundred stars if I could. I think I would read this book again and again and again. I think this book is really easy to read. My favorite picture is when Nancy's two neighbors were up in a tree. I think the cover looks nice as well. I think maybe I would like to be a farmer when I grow up.

Click here to read the entire review from Readers Views