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Saturdays at Harlem Grown
How One Big Idea Transformed a Neighborhood
Table of Contents
About The Book
In this companion to the bestselling nonfiction picture book Harlem Grown about the real-life urban community farm featured on Humans of New York, it’s harvest time for the employees and volunteers that tend the lush garden.
Mr. Tony and Nevaeh, a student, planted a farm. And then the word got out. Every Saturday people came to help: moms, dads, neighbors, shopkeepers. Everyone pitched in and raked, tiled, dug, and planted. It was beautiful in spring and summer, and when the weather turned to fall, it was time to harvest so everyone could experience the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor. Together they composted, recycled, and enjoyed. They built a garden. They built a community, too.
Take the story even further with an author’s note, a recipe for vegetable soup, and instructions for recycling, composting, and tending to a garden.
About The Illustrator
Jessie Hartland is the author and illustrator of many nonfiction titles for young readers, including Our Flag Was Still There, which was named a Bank Street Best Book of the Year. The New York Times praised her “joyful folk-art illustrations” in Harlem Grown, written by Tony Hillery. She has painted murals at a Japanese amusement park, designed Christmas windows for Bloomingdale’s, and put her mark on ceramics, watches, and all sorts of other things. She has done drawings for many magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times, Travel and Leisure Family Club, Martha Stewart Kids, and Bon Appétit. She lives in New York City. Visit her at JessieHartland.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (July 2, 2024)
- Length: 48 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665929790
- Grades: P - 3
- Ages: 4 - 8
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Raves and Reviews
"Mr. Tony and his student, Nevaeh, plot during the winter months how to bring their community garden in Harlem into bloom with a spring cleanup and planting party. ?e neighborhood shows up—people of all backgrounds, with gardening tools and flowers and seeds and doughnuts for snacking on—to work together and watch their garden grow. ?ey add a small library too, and just as they share their library of books, the group shares their library of knowledge, with members who have expertise in cooking, in raising chickens, in plumbing and carpentry. Hartland’s illustrations burst with color and detail, a visual feast; keen-eyed readers will notice plants growing and changing from scene to scene. ?e daubs of paint and visible brushstrokes give the art a tactile feel that pairs well with the vibrancy and handson nature of the garden. Children will enjoy the art but also likely enjoy learning that this is based on a true story, that the book is written by Mr. Tony himself, and that there are gardens like these in many cities. Perfect both for a lap-sit to pore over the details and for community-garden or farmers’-market storytimes"
– Horn Book , September/October 2024 Issue
A garden grows in Harlem.
Not long ago, a teacher named Mr. Tony and one of his students, Nevaeh, transformed an abandoned lot across the street from their school into a thriving urban garden—events that were depicted in Harlem Grown (2020) and briefly recapped here. All winter long, Mr. Tony and Nevaeh discuss what they’ll plant when it gets warmer. When spring finally arrives, they’re excited but overwhelmed: “How on earth can we do all of this work ourselves?” With a little help from their friends, of course. They put up a sign inviting the community to help clean up the garden: “All are welcome! Young and old!” As people come together each Saturday to pull, rake, till, dig, fertilize, plant, and water, they learn new skills such as composting and recycling and discuss their favorite recipes. The community converges to share their delicious bounty at the harvest festival, showcased in two double gatefold spreads at the end. Hartland’s charming signature gouache illustrations convey the vibrancy of a green natural world in comparison to the energetic bustle of the surrounding city. The book closes with information on Harlem Grown, a real-life nonprofit founded by Hillery that began in 2011 as a single urban farm. Mr. Tony and Nevaeh are cued as Black; the community is diverse.
An illuminating ode to a natural space in an urban environment. (resources on urban gardening, tips on starting an urban school garden, recipe for vegetable soup) (Picture book. 4-7)
– Kirkus Reviews, 5/1/24
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Saturdays at Harlem Grown Fixed Layout eBook 9781665929790
- Author Photo (jpg): Tony Hillery Photo provided by the author(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit