Willadeene's farm is in the middle of nowhere . . . and that's how she likes it. She plants her vegetables and enjoys the quiet life, until a knock at the door changes it all. Willadeene lives on a remote farm in the countryside. Each day, she rises with the sun and the crow of the rooster, ready to tend to her vegetables, of which she has many! She grows a wide variety of delicious vegetables, including stately asparagus, crisp carrots, and bright, sunny squash. Rain or shine, each day, Willadeene is outside tending to her farm, and that's the way she likes it. One day, a man visits her with an offer to purchase her farmland with the intention of building large buildings. Willadeene, protective as ever of her farm, refuses to sell. Day after day, the man comes back, offering Willadeene more money. She still refuses to sell. As the weeks, months, and years pass, Willadeene refuses all requests to sell, and is soon surrounded by roads, offices, houses, and shops as buildings are built all around her and her farm. Her once peaceful surroundings are now filled with honking car horns and thumps and booms of music. Can Willadeene adapt to her surroundings? Does the farm stand a chance of surviving in the big city? Author and illustrator Julie Koon brings to light the concept of urban sprawl through the story of a young lady's experiences on a farm. Willadeene's story, starting with the quiet farm life to being surrounded by noise and tall buildings, shows young readers the effects of what rapid development can do to places all over the world. While many farms and rural locations have succumbed to the effects of urban sprawl, many farmers have adapted to the rapid change, becoming part of the cities and towns that have grown around them. Urban agriculture has become an increasingly popular practice where small gardens and miniature farms have brought citizens together for various reasons, including: Education: Urban gardens are a great source of information for folks looking for information on how to live a more nutritious lifestyle. Sustainability: Water and energy conservation have become focal points in the lives of all folks, rural or urban, as climate change discussions have evolved in recent years. Green Spaces: A shift is occurring in cities around the United States and the world to bring more green spaces back to urban areas. In addition to parks and conservations, community gardens have become popular destinations for communities to interact with each other and foster a safe and healthy environment.
Koon, Julie: - Julie Koon is a children's book author and illustrator who loves making sweet and silly books for kids. As a preschool teacher and former school counselor, Julie brings playfulness and heartfelt warmth to each page. She loves drawing expressive characters and relatable moments. Her debut picture book, The Struggle Bus, was published by Kind World Publishing. Julie lives in Massachusetts with her husband and three kids. When she's not working on her next big idea, she can be found exploring the city and playing board games with her family.
