Chronicle Books
ISBN-13: 978-0811862806
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I waited a bit too long to review this book, which came out last year. But it was a hesitation born of love. It was clear that Alice Waters had done the schools and schoolchildren of the world a great favor by starting the first Edible Schoolyard project -- now a legendary source of good food, learning, and life-changing joyful community -- and I didn't want to gloss over this volume celebrating the fact.
The book is, of course, lusciously designed by Chronicle (what do they publish that is not the very best of its kind?). Photographs of ladybugs and other insects, as well as small blossoms, appearing in the margins of Waters' essay on learning from the land, cooking and each other. Interspersed are spreads depicting outdoor views of this well planned earth-renewing (and community spirit-renewing) school project and the children and adults who have brought it to life for over a decade. I dare you to read the story of this garden and kitchen and not be moved to want to plant Something, grow it, and eat it.
Generous back matter includes spreads of the kitchen and garden as well as essays from the children's journals -- on learning to cook, eating and sharing food. Their shares make clear the connection between the time we spend teaching them and feeding them, and children's general feeling about what kind of a place the world is, whether safe and worthwhile or dismal and dry. The gift of this school program is that it provided a model that schools, principals, teachers, parents and children can bring into our own communities to help us all flourish as we learn together by interacting directly with the land that grows our food. Over 400 school districts have since embraced its method, in which children learn science, history and math alongside lessons in organic gardening, healthful cooking, and sharing food with friends.
Well done, Alice Waters! (and thank you for Chez Panisse Foundation, too).
Find out more about the Edible School Project, which has been responsible for a "school food revolution."
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Ceci Miller is co-publisher of BooktiMookti Press, home of the Runt Farm chapter book series. She is also a children’s author, book editor, and owner of CeciBooks editorial and book publishing consultancy for authors and indie publishers. See some of her book projects here.