Pa's Harvest: A True Story Told by Ephrem Carrier

Joan Buchanan is a children’s writer and storyteller. She is the
author of Taking Care of My Cold!, What If I Were in Charge?, Nothing
Else But Yams for Supper!, and The Nana Rescue.

In Pa’s Harvest, award-winning children’s author and renowned
storyteller Jan Andrews recounts Ephrem Carrier’s true story about
growing up on a farm during the Great Depression.

Young Ephie is thankful when his father heads off to sell their
abundant potato harvest at the market. Times have been hard, and this
year the family might be able to afford some gifts for Christmas. When
Pa returns with the cart still full, Ephie learns that because everyone
had a good crop, there are no buyers for their potatoes. Hoping to sell
them at a later date, the family stores the spuds in their cellar—but
to no avail. By the following spring, all of the potatoes have rotted,
and the family faces despair.

Poignant, soulful, honest, and well written are the adjectives that
come to mind when describing this little illustrated book, which is
reminiscent of those published in the early 20th century. The personal
tone of the story brings the reader in immediately. One empathizes with
the small, hard-working boy helping his father plant, tend, harvest, and
store the bountiful potato crop. One also gets caught up in the
family’s poverty. It is the strength and affection the father imparts
to his son, however, that Ephrem wants us to know, and he emphasizes
that in an epilogue.

Cybиle Young’s skilful drawings wonderfully evoke the story’s
Canadian setting. Her illustrations rely on line and minimal use of
color. Simplicity is key. Highly recommended.