American Farm Bureau Foundation for Education Recommended Book
Thomas Jefferson was more than a president and patriot. He was also a planter and gardener who loved to watch things grow—everything from plants and crops to even his brand-new nation.
As minister to France, Jefferson promoted all things American, sharing corn and pecans with his Parisian neighbors. As secretary of state, he encouraged his fellow farmers to grow olives, rice and maple trees. As president, he doubled the size of the nation with the Louisiana Purchase. Even in his retirement, Jefferson continued to nurture the nation, laying the groundwork for the University of Virginia. In this meticulously researched picture book for older readers, author Peggy Thomas uncovers Jefferson's passion for agriculture and his country. And Stacy Innerst's incredibly original illustrations offer the right balance of reverence and whimsy. This is Thomas Jefferson as he's never been seen before! Back matter includes an author's note on Jefferson's legacy today; timeline, bibliography; place to visit (Monticello); and source notes.
"Using Thomas Jefferson's own admissions of passion for both his new country and agriculture, details are given about a few of his activities, inventions, and accomplishments, beginning after the Revolutionary War.... (t)he text... contains sophisticated ideas and vocabulary, and numerous quotations appear in the entertaining artwork and the text itself.... it is no small feat to choose but a few facts about such a well-documented life; the choices made and the method of telling are both exemplary." — Kirkus Reviews
"Innerst's muted gouache paintings contribute playful touches... that are in step with Thomas's informal narration and Jefferson's curiosity and optimism." — Publishers Weekly
Peggy Thomas is the author of Farmer George Plants a Nation, an award-winning history and science picture book biography of George Washington, as well as more than a dozen other books for children. She lives in Middleport, New York, not far from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute.
View titles by Peggy Thomas
Stacy Innerst is a painter, children's book artist, and educator. His books have been honored with the Sydney Taylor Award for The Book Rescuer: How a Mensch from Massachusetts Saved Yiddish Literature for Generations to Come, The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Books Award for Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of RBG Vs. Inequality, the SCBWI Golden Kite for Picture Book Illustration for The Music in George’s Head. His recent books for Calkins Creek include Jack Knight’s Brave Flight, Saving Lady Liberty, and Lincoln Clears a Path. Visit stacyinnerst.com
View titles by Stacy Innerst
American Farm Bureau Foundation for Education Recommended Book
Thomas Jefferson was more than a president and patriot. He was also a planter and gardener who loved to watch things grow—everything from plants and crops to even his brand-new nation.
As minister to France, Jefferson promoted all things American, sharing corn and pecans with his Parisian neighbors. As secretary of state, he encouraged his fellow farmers to grow olives, rice and maple trees. As president, he doubled the size of the nation with the Louisiana Purchase. Even in his retirement, Jefferson continued to nurture the nation, laying the groundwork for the University of Virginia. In this meticulously researched picture book for older readers, author Peggy Thomas uncovers Jefferson's passion for agriculture and his country. And Stacy Innerst's incredibly original illustrations offer the right balance of reverence and whimsy. This is Thomas Jefferson as he's never been seen before! Back matter includes an author's note on Jefferson's legacy today; timeline, bibliography; place to visit (Monticello); and source notes.
Reviews
"Using Thomas Jefferson's own admissions of passion for both his new country and agriculture, details are given about a few of his activities, inventions, and accomplishments, beginning after the Revolutionary War.... (t)he text... contains sophisticated ideas and vocabulary, and numerous quotations appear in the entertaining artwork and the text itself.... it is no small feat to choose but a few facts about such a well-documented life; the choices made and the method of telling are both exemplary." — Kirkus Reviews
"Innerst's muted gouache paintings contribute playful touches... that are in step with Thomas's informal narration and Jefferson's curiosity and optimism." — Publishers Weekly
Author
Peggy Thomas is the author of Farmer George Plants a Nation, an award-winning history and science picture book biography of George Washington, as well as more than a dozen other books for children. She lives in Middleport, New York, not far from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute.
View titles by Peggy Thomas
Stacy Innerst is a painter, children's book artist, and educator. His books have been honored with the Sydney Taylor Award for The Book Rescuer: How a Mensch from Massachusetts Saved Yiddish Literature for Generations to Come, The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Books Award for Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of RBG Vs. Inequality, the SCBWI Golden Kite for Picture Book Illustration for The Music in George’s Head. His recent books for Calkins Creek include Jack Knight’s Brave Flight, Saving Lady Liberty, and Lincoln Clears a Path. Visit stacyinnerst.com
View titles by Stacy Innerst
