The Cow in Patrick O’Shanahan’s Kitchen

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My son absolutely adored this book- we have read it to him at least 6 times since it arrived, and I am sure there is more in store.  He loved how silly it was, as well as that Patrick had to help make breakfast and needed to enlist the animals help to do so.  It also reminded him of a recent stay on a farm that we had, where he was able to milk a cow, gather chicken eggs, and the like.  I am personally glad that they drew the line at bacon- that would not have made a pretty kids book, LOL.  Letting your kids know that their food has origins other then the local grocery store is a great idea, and this is done in a cute and fully way your kids will love.  The illustrations are also adorable and silly, which children will enjoy.

pic 1In The Cow in Patrick O’Shanahan’s Kitchen (Little Pickle Press), children’s author and real life farmer Diana Prichard presents Patrick O’Shanahan, an ordinary boy who has always known exactly where his food comes from: the grocery store. Always, that is, until a cow, a menagerie of chickens and some peculiar trees appear in his kitchen one Saturday morning.

The Cow in Patrick O’Shanahan’s Kitchen and/or an interview with author Diana Prichard would make for a wonderful spring or early summer feature story highlighting the importance of knowing where our food comes from, the resurgence of local farmers’ markets, and establishing an appreciation for agriculture in children.

Patrick O’Shanahan is an ordinary boy who has always known exactly where his food comes from: the grocery store. Always, that is, until a cow, a menagerie of chickens and some very peculiar trees show up in his kitchen one Saturday morning, making him question everything he’s always known about the ingredients that go into Dad’s “World Famous French Toast.”

In The Cow in Patrick O’Shanahan’s Kitchen (Little Pickle Press, November 2013), author Diana Prichard presents a fun story aimed at engaging children and their families in fair, balanced farm-to-fork dialogue. Prichard draws on three decades in a rural farming community, a dozen years as a mother, and almost ten years as a farmer to craft the next classic in children’s literature.

“Watching people who have little to no practical knowledge of agriculture dominate our national discourse on food and farming is extremely frustrating. I wanted to contribute a positive and informed message for parents and kids,” Prichard says. “When I sat down to begin writing I had no idea what story would be the vehicle for this discussion, but Patrick sort of leapt onto the page and took control.”

The Cow in Patrick O’Shanahan’s Kitchen is a must-read for families interested in responsible farming and food production. In fact, Prichard hopes her new book will be the catalyst to many important family conversations including:

  • Where our food comes from and the farm-to-table concept;
  • Diversity in American agriculture and appreciation for farmers; and
  • Planning family meals around seasonal produce at the farmer’s market.

“When kids visit us on farm tours, they often appear awestruck and bewildered when they learn how food is produced. For some, it’s as though an entirely new world has opened up before their eyes,” adds Prichard. “It’s clear we need to have more conversations with children, our future decision makers, for them to understand the importance of supporting agriculture as much as adults.”

The Cow in Patrick O’Shanahan’s Kitchen (Little Pickle Press, November 2013) is available at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and bookstores nationwide.

Comments

  1. abby kenevil says

    I love the art in this book.
    what a great pick!

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