Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers' Favorite

Hamburgers Don’t Grow on Trees by Liza F. Carter introduces young readers to humane farming practices on the Snug Valley Farm. Readers learn the story of a bull calf named Lima Bean and what life is like for typical male dairy calves. The story introduces the Nottermann family: Nancy, Helm, their son Ben, and his wife Kelly. They raise grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pigs, but they also show how important it is to have a deep respect for animals and the land. Young readers also follow Lima Bean through his birth and early months and learn all there is to know about caring for calves, including feeding and health practices to keep them thriving. Children and parents learn about bottle-feeding and how calves like Lima Bean learn to drink from a bucket, live outdoors, and make friends. Every stage of Lima Bean’s life is taught to readers, terms are explained, and why humane, small-scale farming matters.

Liza F. Carter’s book is exceptional because she finds a way to balance the facts and reality of raising animals for food supply with compassion and sensitivity. Her beautiful photography shows young readers the life cycle of calves, but it also showcases their entire life on a farm. Carter also shows that animals must be treated with kindness, dignity, and proper care throughout their lives, even though they are being raised for meat. Readers get a rare, behind-the-scenes view of farm life, making it both informative and eye-opening. The photographs help readers to emotionally connect to Lima Bean’s story. This helps not just to foster curiosity but empathy as well. Hamburgers Don’t Grow on Trees is a valuable educational resource that should be in every family’s home, but also in classrooms. It will definitely prompt meaningful conversations about where food comes from and how people’s choices can impact animals and the environment.