ROOT, Phyllis. Anywhere Farm. illus. by G. Brian Karas. 32p. Candlewick. Mar. 2017. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780763674991.

PreS-Gr 1 –“You can grow your own farm anywhere” is the empowering message of this inclusive picture book. All you need are soil, sun, water, and a seed. You can plant a farm in an empty lot, a pot, a box, or even a shoe. You can share your seeds with others to spread the food and fun. With cheerful rhyming text and illustrations depicting a diverse group of young farmers, including wheelchair users, this book is sure to find a place in group storytimes as well as in the laps of parents. The text is educational without being dry. Children will get a brief introduction to plants—what a seed needs to grow, what kinds of plants grow from seeds, and what kinds of creatures, such as butterflies and bees, visit them. The text addresses the five W’s—who, what, when, where, and why—in a jaunty manner. The mixed-media illustrations include a satisfying amount of detail while retaining a child-friendly sketchiness. The neighborhood scenes add to the sense of community-building reinforced here. VERDICT This must-have picture book will be especially beneficial for school units on plants and seeds and for library storytimes with a spring or gardening theme.–Suzanne LaPierre, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

This review was published in the School Library Journal January 2017 issue.