Category: farming

farming, home

The 2023 Old Farmer’s Almanac

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Publisher: Old Farmer’s Almanac
Genre: Home & Garden
ISBN: 978-1571989260
Pages: 288
Price: $9.95

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The Farmer’s Almanac has been a trusted resource since 1792 and is filled with new, useful, and entertaining matter. Topics include: trends, amusement, astrology, astronomy, calendar, farming, folklore, food, gardening, genealogy, home remedies, husbandry, miscellany, nature, sports, and weather.

Although this almanac is most known for its weather and farming information, the articles in this magazine are enjoyable and informative. Ads are also targeted to the reader and provide helpful products for the homesteader. However, we’ll have to wait to see if the weather forecasts are accurate or not!

As it has been for the past 231 years, the 2023 Old Farmer’s Almanac will be a useful guide for the coming year. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, farming

Busy on the Farm

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Holly Dufek
Illustrators: Paul E. Nunn and Mike Kasun
Publisher: Octane Press
Genre: Children / Farming
ISBN: 978-1937747794
Pages: 32
Price: $10.00

Publisher’s website
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It’s a beautiful morning, and Casey and her friends are ready to get to work. Baling hay, tending to the animals, and other assorted jobs keep them all busy. Casey relies on an assortment of tractors and farm equipment to maintain the farm properly. Each piece of equipment has a specific purpose, designed to make work easier and simpler for Casey.

Busy on the Farm also shares some interesting farming information that kids will be eager to read. Feed crops, hay baling techniques, precision farming, and cattle breeds, as well as other topics are briefly covered. A glossary of terms and some fun facts are also included.

Farm kids will really enjoy seeing Casey in action as she manages Happy Skies Farm. I highly recommend the Casey and Friends series of farming books.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, farming, holiday

Casey’s Bright Red Christmas

Bergers Book Reviews

Casey's Bright Red Christmas
Author: Holly Dufek
Illustrator: Paul E. Nunn
Publisher: Octane Press
Genre: Children / Farming / Christmas
ISBN: 978-1937747619
Pages: 32
Price: $14.99

Octane Press
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It’s Christmas Eve and Casey has too much to do. She wants to decorate the farm, bake cookies, and get ready for the team’s celebration. But first she has to care for the cows, fix the fence, and work in the shed, and her nasty cold is making her sleepy. Maybe a nap will perk her up and give her the energy she needs to get her chores done.

Casey’s team of tractors and farm equipment sees how Casey is feeling and comes up with a plan. Knowing she works so hard for all of them, they decide to do Christmas for her. As she sleeps, the team puts up lights, picks out the Christmas tree, and bakes. When Casey wakes up with a start, she has no idea what surprises are awaiting her.

Farming is hard work, and Casey is dedicated to the job she loves. Having a team of dependable equipment makes her job easier and a lot more fun. And celebrating together is the perfect way to enjoy the holiday. Farm kids will enjoy this cute Christmas story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, farming

Big Tractors With Casey & Friends

Bergers Book Reviews

Big Tractors With Casey & Friends
Author: Holly Dufek
Illustrator: Paul E. Nunn
Publisher: Octane Press
Genre: Children / Farming
ISBN: 978-1937747534
Pages: 32
Price: $14.99

Octane Press
Case IH farm equipment
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Happy Skies Farm is a big farm, and it needs big equipment to manage its work. But Casey has two good friends – Big Red the Magnum and Sammy Steiger – who help her get the job done. Along with Tillus the worm, Casey shows us how Big Red and Sammy help her with her work.

In order to understand how powerful these two big tractors are, Casey first explores the concept of horsepower, showing us the evolution of tractors since they first appeared in 1920. Weight balancing and power output are demonstrated, and wheel size and shape are discussed, as Casey explains how a tractor is designed so it won’t sink into loose soil or flatten the soil too much. Finally, we see the inside of the tractor from the operating console to the interior mechanical workings. A glossary of terms concludes the narrative.

Big tractors are a necessity on large farms, and knowing as much as possible about the equipment they’re operating will be helpful to farm kids. But even those who live in the city or suburbs will be fascinated by this large and useful equipment. Big Tractors With Casey & Friends is a great read for anyone interested in learning how big farm equipment works.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, farming

A Year on the Farm

Bergers Book Reviews

A Year on the Farm
Author: Holly Dufek
Illustrator: Paul E. Nunn
Publisher: Octane Press
Genre: Children / Farming
ISBN: 9781937747565
Pages: 32
Price: $14.99

Octane Press Website
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Casey enjoys her life on the farm. Each season brings new challenges and tasks, and Casey and her team of farm equipment tackle them with determination. Whether planting in the spring, caring for growing crops in the summer, harvesting in the fall, or repairing equipment and caring for livestock in the winter, weather can always play havoc with the farmer’s plans. Casey shows us the best way to handle whatever chores need to be done.

A Year on the Farm showcases Cash IH farm equipment in a fun and educational way. Kids will enjoy reading about Casey’s responsibilities on the farm, sharing in the team’s efforts for a job well done. Farming can be a rough life, but the right equipment makes each job a little easier and more efficient. Kids who dream of being farmers someday will love this book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger