I picked up a copy of a magazine called Chop Chop “The fun cooking magazine for families” at a local New Balance shoe store. I have to say the magazine looks great. High quality content. It would be a great place to go after reading Rah, Rah, Radishes: a Vegetable Chant and the upcoming Go, Go, Grapes: a Fruit Chant. So kids’ veggie and fruit enthusiasm can move into the kitchen. Here’s Chop Chop magazine’s site:  http://www.chopchopmag.org/

Saw this post on INK and it might be useful to those of you needing gardening books. Apparently, there’s an award list created by the American Horticultural Society.

Erika Thulin Dawes, Ed.D of Lesley University wrote about some terrific extension ideas for Rah, Rah, Radishes: A Vegetable Chant over at  The Classroom Bookshelf . Lots of helpful links, too. HUGELY useful information.

Jeff and I just returned from a 4,600 mile roadtrip to research at desert sites (White Sands, Painted Desert, Meteor Crater). I gave two programs at the spectacular Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden. I also spoke at a conference for early childhood teachers coordinated by Jennifer Haggart of the Early Childhood Consortium of the Omaha Area. 

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Kirkus Reviews sure knows how to ask quality questions to get a person talking and reflecting. Read the Rah Rah Radishes interview here.  There’s also a fun little California connection for the book made by a writer out in Salinas. His article is “‘Vegetable Chant’ showcases Central Coast’s chief product.”  Meanwhile, after a fun South Bend Farmer’s Market signing last Sat, I’m completing final shots for Go, Go, Grapes: a Fruit Chant, 2012.

I’ve been busy admiring greens, the structures of leeks, and other veggies at South Bend Farmer’s Market. Beets are one of the most productive crops because both the greens and roots can be used.

When I got into a pickle with needing some fruit photos for the upcoming fruit chant book (Go, Go, Grapes: a Fruit Chant, 2012) , a gardening friend directed me to Shelton’s Farmer’s Market near Niles, MI, and they welcomed me heartily.  I hadn’t visited in years. What surprised me is how much produce they had. They had all the traditional Midwestern fresh veggies and fruits, but also lots of specialty items for the Hispanic community and other communities, as well. Lots of Mexican fruits and vegetable specialties.  Plus many other intriguing gourmet items. I’ve never seen black radish! I was able to buy a whole case of cactus fruit here for one of the shots in the new fruit book. Thanks, Shelton’s!

Explore Chicago’s Farmer’s Markets at this useful site, which lists them by day of the week. I can’t wait to try the green market. While I was in town for a reunion of grad school friends/writers, I visited Daley Plaza Farmer’s Market.  The place was hoppin’! Music playing. Kids climbing, Chicagoans foot splashing in the water, and lots of folks buying veggies and fruits. Children’s book authors Gretchen Woelfle and Carmela Martino and I strolled, purchased beeswax products, and sampled some yummies. Some of the farmers here also come to my market at home, I think. Many represent orchards and farms in southwest Michigan. A few were from Wisconsin, too. I took a few photos in my continuing work for Go, Go, Grapes: A Fruit Chant, (Beach Lane, S&S, 2012), the sequel to Rah, Rah, Radishes: a Vegetable Chant. 

In between a panel talk and signings at ALA in New Orleans late June, I fit in a trip around the corner to the lovely Crescent City Market near my hotel. This small market stood out for its farms with diverse heirloom variety veggies and its ready-to-eat savory foods and bakery goods. Really, it’s all you really want on a Sat morning.

I found yummy peppers and a possible fruit for Go, Go, Grapes: a Fruit Chant: huckleberries. I stood in the market pondering, trying to figure out how to work it into the rhyme. Nothing came to mind. Just in case, I bought the huckleberries to take home and photograph. But I  forgot them in the fridge at my hotel. Couldn’t tote them home for book photos. Oh, well, huckleberries. Sorry you’re not in the book, only in the blog!

Shirley Duke, author/educator/speaker/writer of the Simply Science blog, shared with me extension activities for Rah, Rah, Radishes. See below for these activities. See her site for more goodies, about many books!

Activities

1. Make a list of all the vegetables named in the book. Then categorize those veggies by color or by which part of the plant they may be. This might include leaf, root, fruit, or stem.

2. Look up the food groups. The food pyramid has become a plate! Find out what other kinds of food make a healthy meal.

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