Review: Potatoes on Rooftops by Hadley Dyer

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

All around the world, people are farming in the concrete jungle!
The urban farming movement is rapidly gaining widespread acceptance. Now it's time for kids to be a part of it, too! With a minimum of equipment and whether alone or with friends, kids can start growing fruit and vegetables at home, in a community garden, or at school.
Combining practical tips and well-researched facts, POTATOES ON ROOFTOPS is a brisk and informative overview of the how and why of the movement toward small-scale urban farming. There are many ways to farm in the city: a Detroit high school program teaches students to grow food and raise chickens; in Tokyo, a bank vault was converted into an underground greenhouse; in Nairobi, local youth transformed part of a slum into a garden that helps feed their families; First Lady Michelle Obama established an organic garden at the White House; and more in other countries.
Short, kid-friendly descriptions and vibrant photos and illustrations keep the pace moving and the tone light. Toronto Public Health and FoodShare, two respected agencies, both have contributed to the book. A perfect book to get kids thinking about alternative ways of growing and getting food.

MY TAKE:

When I was a kid, I used to like gardening. I planted a papaya tree and a calamansi tree, but when I grew up, I had less and less time to spend on gardening.

Potatoes on Rooftops is a beginner's guide for kids and adults on how to grow fruits, vegetables and even raise animals for food.

I don't know a lot of people here in Manila who grow vegetables in their own gardens. My uncle grows vegetables but he does it more for the exercise than for the vegetables themselves. I decided to read this book as I had been meaning to start planting again but wasn't sure how to go about it again.

This book offers up some really great tips that beginner gardeners can use. It's also very informative with lots of facts and details about different concepts related to growing food. There's also some nice quotes that relate to plants and gardening.

Thanks to NetGalley and Annick Press for the e-ARC. Publication date of Potatoes on Rooftops is on September 1, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. It's a good beginner gardening book for middle school kids and older kids.
2. Adults can also learn a thing or two about gardening.
3. There are examples from all over the world.

THE BAD:

1. It might not be easy for younger kids to understand on their own.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

A "food mile" refers to the distance your food has traveled from the farm to your plate.

READ IT IF:

1. You would like to learn more about gardening.
2. You want to try and grow food in an urban environment.
3. You are curious about growing food.

RATING: 



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