Prattville, AL – Just in time for Farm City Week and Black Friday shopping, a local Prattville children’s author is promoting her first book, Modern Farms.
Jackie Nix wasn’t always a children’s author and indie-publisher. Previously she enjoyed a long and diverse career in agriculture. First as a Cooperative Extension Agent in North Carolina for six years and then as an animal nutritionist with Sweetlix, LLC and Ridley Block Operations in Montgomery for 17 years.
When asked why she chose children’s picture books, Nix replies “I know it sounds odd, but this was a natural creative outlet for both my technical expertise and my artistic abilities. I’ve been an artist my entire life and really didn’t get to use that professionally until now.”Nix both wrote and illustrated Modern Farms.
“I wanted to share my love of farming with children/” Nix continued, “Another reason I chose to create early children’s picture books was to normalize the wonderful technology used to grow our food and fiber on today’s farms. Modern farms use computers, GPS, self-driving tractors, drones, robots, and many other highly technical tools. I want the next generation to be comfortable with agricultural technology. ”
She explained that unfortunately, most early children’s picture books depict inaccurate, fantasy images of farming with red barns and a cow, a pig and a chicken all living together in a barnyard. “Accurate depictions of farms in children’s books matter because these images set the foundation of perceptions for life.” Nix continues, “I want kids to understand that the world of farming is so much bigger and more exciting than farmers with pitchforks and pigs in mudholes. My goal is to educate and inspire children to think of agriculture as a possible career option.”
Modern Farms is a read aloud picture book aimed at children eight and under. It introduces farm to fork concepts as well as modern farming techniques through short, easy to read, rhyming sentences and bright, engaging illustrations. At 34 pages, Modern Farms is perfect for circle time, early readers or bedtime reading.
“I just read your book and it was absolutely amazing! I think elementary students or toddlers of all ages will love this book. It’s colorful. It rhymes. It’s informative. It provides basic information about farming and animals and all of the things we teach in our curriculum. I would recommend every school system have this book.” – Jacquelyn Thomas (Coosada Kindergarten teacher)
“Students and teachers at our preschool thoroughly enjoyed reading the Modern Farms book – both fun and educational! It correlated perfectly with our Farm theme.” Brittany Potkoski (Ms. Brittany’s Preschool owner)
Nix has partnered with Diane Castro at Sweet Home Bookstore on Bridge Street in Wetumpka to stock Modern Farms for book lovers in the River Region. While supplies last, go get an author-signed copy of Modern Farms today! Makes a great holiday gift for that special child or teacher in your life!
Jackie Nix is available for author visits for local schools and libraries. Just contact her at [email protected] to schedule.
You can learn more about Modern Farms at www.moomaven.com.
You can contact Sweet Home Bookstore at www.sweethomebookstore.com
