THE WORLD THAT FEEDS US

I am so happy to announce that THE WORLD THAT FEEDS US now joins THE FARM THAT FEEDS US on bookstore shelves. Both of these books take a look at how farms are producing food that keeps us and the planet healthy. Illustrator Ginnie Hsu beautifully illustrated both books.

Both books explore many methods of sustainable farming throughout the seasons.

Pair up these with Nancy's other titles on food and farming:

World Water Week 2023

Here are my picks for your World Water Week 2023 bookshelf.

Happy Birthday, Grand Canyon National Park! 🥳

On this date in 1919 President Woodrow Wilson grew his legacy by establishing THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK despite opposition from business, ranchers, and miners. It continues to be a source of inspiration for Americans and visitors from around the world. And it continues to need our protection. This photo is from my visit during the Park's centennial celebration in 2019.

Here are a few books set in and around the Grand Canyon and surrounding desert community.

Seed on!

"Here at the Seed Company, we sell only open-pollinated (OP) seeds, and many of these are heirlooms," begins Ken Greene in his most recent newsletter. "Unlike hybrid varieties, saved OP seeds will grow 'true to type' if you shoose to re-sow them the following season. We invite gardeners at every level to save seeds from their best OP varieities and try selecting for traits like flavor, color, and disease-resistance."

I interviewd Ken for my book THE STORY OF SEEDS, so this topic isn't new to me. But Ken brings it to life again in a new article titled, HEIRLOOM, OPEN-POLLINATED, OR HYBRID...WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE.

Ken was (and is) a great resource for learning about all things seed related. His Hudson Valley Seed Company continues to be a great source of seeds. In addition to planting my own garden, I've continued to write about seeds, farming, and food security. I have a new book releasing this spring -- THE WORLD THAT FEEDS US. There are so many farms using sustainable methods that protect our planet. I hope their stories (and Ken's wise words) will inspire your own growing season this year! Seed on!

For more information about THE STORY OF SEEDS, THE WORLD THAT FEEDS US, and my other books, visit my website.

Animal Books For Middle Grade Readers

These three narrative middle grade fiction reads are well-researched and do a great job of instilling empathy in readers. Pairing them with middle grade nonfiction titles provides great STEM learning opportunities for science and ELA classrooms. 

 

Books on Food and Farming

 When I became interested in conservation as a teen I never imagined I would be writing about food and farming. I was so focused at that moment on wildlife. And, if you follow my writing career, you know that many of my books do center on wildlife conservation. But, around 2014 I began to realize that seeds needed protection and our food security was at stake if they weren't protected. I wrote THE STORY OF SEEDS as a result. It received the Green Earth Book Award and many other honors that year. 

    

But I, as I visited schools, I realized that younger readers needed something of their own. I wrote THE FARM THAT FEEDS US for them. It is beautifully illustrated by Ginnie Hsu and introduces read to a sustainable small farm.

 

It led to being asked to co-author THE ULTIMATE FOOD ATLAS with Christy Mihaly, which introduces readers to a global menu of foods. 

The same year BUILDINGS THAT BREATHE released, another YA lit book. This one introduces teen readers to urban greening projects that include vertical farming, community gardens, and rooftop farms. 

In 2023 readers will discover a new title joining these others, THE WORLD THAT FEEDS US. It's a follow-up to THE FARM THAT FEEDS US. It pulls the lens out so that readers can view sustainable farms and farming practices around the world. It can be pre-ordered now. 

Authors often don't know where their research will lead them and what books they'll end up creating. Along the way I discovered that food security issues often involve water security. That discovery led me to write WHEN THE WORLD RUNS DRY, another YA lit title. Take a look at any author's shelf and you will also discover themes that weave together. 

Archimedes Notebook: Good to the Last Drop

Archimedes Notebook: Good to the Last Drop:   When the World Runs Dry: Earth's Water in Crisis  by Nancy F. Castaldo  208 pages; ages 10 & up Algonquin Young Readers, 2022    “...

Is Ada Lovelace Relevant?

As a kid lit author, I receive many emails and letters about my books. I received one this week that I thought I'd share -- it asked if I felt Ada Lovelace is relevant to young women today. 

Here is my short response: 

Hi, Daisy, 

It is interesting to me, as an author of her biography, to hear that you are exploring Ada’s relevance for women in the 21st century. I wouldn’t have written it if I found her irrelevant.  😉

Ada Lovelace contributed to the formation of a tool that we use every day — in fact, I wouldn’t be sending you this email if it weren’t for Ada. If computers are relevant, then so is Ada.  

I’ve also authored a biography of Nellie Bly, another groundbreaking historical female figure. Is she relevant? If we like in-depth reporting and value women in the role of journalism - then yes. 

These historical women are the stones in our foundation. They serve as examples of tenacity, intelligence, and grit. Of course they are relevant. We need those examples every day to show us possibilities. We also need them to show us the journey it has taken us to get where we are today. Ada is part of our STEM background, a figure that just might encourage other girls to venture into a STEM career. She led the way for so many of us and will continue to do so. 

I hope this helps,

Nancy 

Was I right? Do you feel she is relevant? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 

Internships Matter! --- Back to my roots

 While the pandemic is still raging in the United States the work of authors and illustrators continues. I'm at work on a few projects, including an exciting new #STEM book for HMHKids. 

Apart from answering last-minute notes from my editor, I'm enjoying one of the most rewarding and tedious tasks -- selecting the images and their placement in the book. 

This involves reviewing all of the photos taken for the book and doing research to provide additional photos that will enrich the story. It also means that I have to make sure that all the image files meet the publisher's requirements -- including transferring jpgs into tiff files for printing. I also have to write all the captions and provide the image credits. 

And while I take on this task I'm transported to my senior year of college when I spent a year at Audubon Magazine doing exactly the same thing -- well, almost. There were no digital files at the time. I had a lightbox and lots of slides and artwork to consider. 

Did I know then that my internship would matter so much to me as a kidlit author? Nope. Granted, I LOVED my internship. I loved everything about it, but I didn't have a crystal ball. I filed away that experience like so many others we have in our young lives. 

Those experiences, though, all play a part in who we become and what skills we pack in our suitcases for the journey through our lives. They don't necessarily lead to a job right away, but they might impact a job in the future. 

It's the same with an editor critique. An editor might provide you with valuable criticism that could launch your manuscript into a new direction, even if it isn't with their publishing house. It's a matter of taking these experiences and making them matter. 

Well, I need to get back to work. Thanks, Marty Hill, for being an incredible mentor at Audubon and for telling me I should become a writer. I can't tell you what it has meant to me. 

Agriculture in the Classroom

It's spring and we're all living through a nationwide pandemic when our food security is even more important.

In the midst of this, librarians are working hard to provide books for young children who are struggling through homeschooling and virtual lessons.  Some, like the librarians in Missouri, are holding virtual book fests to present books and authors to school librarians throughout the state. I had the fun of participating in one of their virtual panels.

I'm happy to share the books of my fellow panelists and the resources with all of you.
Check these out!

Pre-order THE FARM THAT FEEDS US at your local indie or an autographed copy at Oblong Books & Music. The release is postponed until July.

Additional resources for your classroom: 

National Ag in the Classroom program: https://www.agclassroom.org/

American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture: https://www.agfoundation.org/

Feeding Minds Press: https://www.feedingmindspress.com/

Cooperative Extension Service: https://nifa.usda.gov/land-grant-colleges-and-universities-partner-website-directory?state=All&type=Extension

Future Farmers of America: https://www.ffa.org/

Earth Day 2020

Happy 50th Earth Day! 

      Today is the day to think of the ways we can contribute to the health of our planet. You can make a difference by helping endangered species. It doesn’t matter where you live or how old you are, every choice we make impacts our environment and the wildlife around us.

     Here are seven ways you can help today and every day:

Learn About Local Endangered Species — It is hard to help creatures we know nothing about. Find out what animals might be having trouble where you live. Pick one and become an expert. Spread the news about it and how we might be able to keep it safe! You might even be able to volunteer in a local nature center or wildlife refuge. 

Throw Micro Trash In The Trash!  — Tiny items of trash, like bottle caps and small pieces of plastic, are harmful to many species of wildlife. It’s hard for an animal to tell the difference between a piece of food and a piece of trash. Sea turtles and California condors are just two endangered species that suffer from tiny bits of litter. You can help by spreading the word and making sure that micro trash finds its way into the trash! 

Conserve Energy!  — Every time we use energy, we add pollution to the environment. You can help by turning off the lights when you leave a room, by carpooling with your friends when you go somewhere and even buying less stuff wrapped in plastic. Every small thing you do can bring big results if we all work together. 

Be Wildlife Friendly — Make your home wildlife friendly by placing decals on your windows to prevent birds from flying into the glass, planting native plants that provide food and shelter for wildlife, and by keeping your home pesticide and herbicide-free. Also, keep cats indoors. Many birds and small animals have killed cats each year. These easy steps make a huge impact in the lives of your local wildlife! 

Take the Plastic-Free Challenge —  Did you know that people produce millions of tons of plastic garbage every year? That includes plastic bags, plastic drinking straws, water bottles, coffee stirrers, and all sorts of packaging that we use only once and then throw out. All of this garbage ends up in our landfills and our waterways. It not only harms wildlife, but it also harms us. You can make a big difference if you swap out your plastic for reusable glass bottles, cloth bags, and recycle the plastic you do use. So the next time you order a beverage in a restaurant, ask for a glass and don’t use a straw.  

Campaign for Wildlife!  — Write a letter to your local newspaper about endangered species. Attend a town board meeting and speak up for wildlife. Create a website to promote conservation. Join an environmental organization. Become a voice for the creatures you care about. 

©Nancy F Castaldo

Pay Attention — Sometimes we just don’t know what’s going on until it is too late. If you start to pay attention to the plight of endangered species and other wildlife you’ll be one step ahead. Once we know what is happening we can take action and together we can make a difference. Become informed and stay informed. And when you are old enough — VOTE! Voting is an important way to make your voice heard. 

We can make a difference if we all work together. Perhaps, then we can even prevent animals from becoming endangered in the first place. 

Earth Day, Every Day!