justinetaylor:

You know those gifts that you never even knew you wanted but they are so thoughtful and perfect? I got one of those today. I’m not even sure the giver knows on how many levels I love this book:

Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of Country Life by Julia Rothman

How many ways do I love it? Let me count the ways.

First, it is illustrated by Julia Rothman, who is endlessly cool and talented. (That’s right, I live in a world where illustrators are trendy and cool.) Her illustrations are both charming and accurate, which are equally important to me. And regardless of subject matter this book just looks cool because of its aesthetic. Definitely a book to leave out on a shelf or coffee table for the pretty factor.

Second, it is a teaching book. And though I chose not to become a literal classroom teacher after university, I am still in career, and motherhood, and by my very nature a teacher. This book has a wealth of information laid out clearly, and interestingly. Little M was immediately drawn to the different kinds of farm machinery and looking all of the animals. (One of my initial remarks was, “this would be perfect for homeschooling!”) This book made me remember my dear friend Dorothy - a retired teacher with whom I did my teaching internship years ago. We taught a unit on farming connected to my city’s huge agricultural fair (called “Agribition”) She would die if she saw this book, because it’s such a good resource! I wanted to fly to BC immediately and show it to her! (Well, and to see her and her beautiful lakeside retirement house…)

And third, I love this book because it’s farming. Most of you regular blog readers will know that Sean farms, grew up on a farm, and that we are working towards living on the farm. But my love of farming actually started before my love of Sean. Back in my camp days I worked with a lot of farm kids. Back then I decided I wanted to marry a farmer (I figured I was a prime candidate for living out on a farm: I mostly like to be thrifty, I’m no social butterfly, and I love nature and the wide open sky!) My camp friends would teach me, and I was an eager pupil. I think they half thought it was cool, and half thought it was funny. They’d pick up old copies of the Western Producer and quiz me on farm implements and cattle breeds. I loved it. And this book recalls those times and goes further in depth. It feeds my farm nerdiness.

The only drawback I’ve noticed so far is that it doesn’t feature grain crops that are common on the Canadian prairies (canola, flax…) but that’s OK. Maybe Little M and I will have to illustrate an addendum. ;)

So if you love farming, or teaching, or great illustration like I do, then pick up this book too! And thanks to Aimee for this thoughtful gift!! You are too sweet.

(All pictures are from Amazon.com, all illustrations by Julia Rothman)

(via girl-germs)