Farmer Eva’s Green Garden Life

Illustrated by Christy Hale
Afterword by Eva Sommaripa
Readers to Eaters, 2024
Find @ Your Public Library

About the Book

Eva Sommaripa farms a one-field farm in Massachusetts. And has grown a big green-garden life on that patch. Eva’s life includes planting, growing, and harvesting herbs and greens, studying the soil, mentoring young farmers, making tons of compost, and saving salamanders, and a huge outdoor pizza oven. 

Quote From the Author

Getting to know Eva and sharing her story was a joy. She is a friend to the Earth, a friend to young farmers, a friend to salamanders and other small creatures. Her story reminds me, as I hope it will others, to find joy in sharing what we have and what we have learned.

— Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Video Interview About The Book

Video from Farm Bureau North Carolina YouTube Channel:

Reviews

“There’s plenty of cause for awe in this offering… Throughout Farmer Eva’s Green Garden Life, the finger-tempting collage art in subdued farm colors features plenty of children who can be seen rescuing salamanders, enjoying community-minded Sommaripa’s annual Longest Day Summer Potluck, and so on. Several illustrations have the appearance of quilts, which suits the book’s folksy-DIY spirit. Even the plant vignettes in the generous back matter look good enough to eat.”
—Shelf Awareness

“A poetic account of how one woman turned her passion into community both above and below ground. Kids and adults alike will be inspired by this beautifully illustrated recounting of her flavor-filled journey.”
—Em Shipman, Executive Director, KidsGardening.org

“A spectacular trip to the farm with a compelling story and equally accurate illustrations. Farmer Eva highlights the importance of farming, community and the soil that link us all.”
—Kevin Daugherty, Education Director, Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom

“Dig into the inspiring world of Farmer Eva in this captivating true story that mirrors the experiences of many female farmers. This delightful tale is sure to ignite curiosity for farming in every child and leave readers cheering “Bring Us More”!”
—Audra Mulkern, Founder, The Female Farmer Project

Other Books in this Series

• Sandor Katz and the Tiny Wild, by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and June Jo Lee
• Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and June Jo Lee
• Alice Waters and the Trip to Delicious by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
• Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table by Jacqueline Briggs Martin