Full of Beans: Henry Ford Grows a Car

by Peggy Thomas, Edwin Fotheringham (Illustrator)

Overview

Famous car-maker and businessman Henry Ford showed great innovation with his determination to build his most inventive car—one completely made of soybeans.

With a mind for ingenuity, Henry Ford looked to improve life for others. After the Great Depression struck, Ford especially wanted to support ailing farmers. For two years, Ford and his team researched ways to use farmers' crops in his Ford Motor Company. They discovered that the soybean was the perfect answer. Soon, Ford's cars contained many soybean plastic parts, and Ford incorporated soybeans into every part of his life. He ate soybeans, he wore clothes made of soybean fabric, and he wanted to drive soybeans, too. This nonfiction picture book brings to life an amazing story from American history that will inspire young readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781629796390
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	10/15/2019
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	1,154,302
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	930L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Peggy Thomas is the author of multiple picture books, including award-winning Calkins Creek titles Thomas Jefferson Grows a Nation, Farmer George Plants a Nation, and For the Birds: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson. She is also the co-author of Anatomy of Nonfiction, the only writing guide for children's nonfiction.

Edwin Fotheringham is the illustrator of many picture book biographies, including Blue Grass Boy: The Story of Bill Monroe, Father of Bluegrass Music; A Home for Mr. Emerson; and Those Rebels, John & Tom. He is also the illustrator of the Tony Baloney series by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Visit edfotheringham.com.

Editorial Reviews

08/26/2019

While many know about Henry Ford’s automobiles and assembly line refinements, Thomas’s latest nonfiction work describes his fascination with the soybean. Ford, raised on a Michigan farm, sought to help farmers find a new market—factories—following the Great Depression. The eventual result, following years of experimentation: a soybean suit, a favorite soybean snack, and a prototype car made of soy plastic. While Ford’s vision for a soy car waned with WWII’s onset, his chemists’ research jump-started soybean farmers’ future; today, they contribute to “furniture and flooring,/ dog biscuits and bread,/ candy, crayons,/ and cars.” Vibrant shades of yellow, green, and blue dominate Fotheringham’s digital illustrations, which feature farming and factory scenes and play with scale. Extensive back matter includes a list of products containing soy, a lengthy bibliography and timeline, and recipes for soy plastic and Ford’s favored soy cracker. A detailed, bean-filled look at an auto tycoon’s lesser-known passion. Ages 7–10. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

NSTA/CBC Best STEM Book

"While many know about Henry Ford’s automobiles and assembly line refinements, Thomas’s latest nonfiction work describes his fascination with the soybean. Vibrant shades of yellow, green, and blue dominate Fotheringham’s digital illustrations, which feature farming and factory scenes and play with scale. A detailed, bean-filled look at an auto tycoon’s lesser-known passion." —Publishers Weekly

"(F)ascinating... Fotheringham’s illustrations are stunning digital art pieces that supplement the narrative with additional information.  This engaging story is ideal for anyone looking to add to their collections on American history or STEAM." —Booklist

From the Publisher

11/01/2019

Gr 2–5—Growing up on a Michigan farm, Henry Ford was aware of the needs and challenges of the American farmer, especially after the Great Depression. Since Ford hated waste, he tried to find a way to integrate crops into the manufacturing process. Ford and his employee, chemist Robert Boyer, eventually discovered the soybean's unlimited potential. Ford's company created new soybean products such as paint, plastics, fabric, and flour. The arrival of World War II interrupted plans for mass production as factories were repurposed for airplane assembly. Nevertheless, this intriguing idea made a long-lasting impact on the agricultural industry as soybeans became the second-largest crop in the country. Ford's personality is brought to life through lively and cheerful illustrations in greens, blues, and yellows. Details such as Ford doing pull-ups (it helped him think) and bouncing on a plastic panel to test its strength add humor to the story. Extensive back matter features photographs of Ford and the Model T, a reproduction of a menu from Ford's exhibit at the 1934 Chicago World's Fair which is either impressive (soybean biscuits with soybean butter) or intimidating (celery stuffed with soybean cheese), and recipes for soybean crackers and DIY soybean plastic. VERDICT Fun and informative for fans of American history and innovation, this book shares the story of Ford's lesser-known soybean pursuits.—Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State University, OH

School Library Journal

2019-06-23
Henry Ford is well known for the Model T and the assembly line, but he made many other contributions to the economic health of the nation.

He was also concerned with finding ways to improve farming methods and ease the heavy burdens of farmers. He built reliable tractors from spare car parts. The Depression exacerbated existing troubles. Ford already recycled and repurposed nearly everything at his factory and thought that he could find new uses for farm crops as well. He created a laboratory and hired scientists to study grains, fruits, and vegetables, and they finally determined that soybeans were the answer. The team developed soybean-based paint, fabric, and lightweight plastic that could form most of the parts for his cars. The vast amount of soybeans needed kept hundreds of farmers solvent and even prosperous. After Ford's death, the soybean continued to be converted into dozens of products way beyond his initial plan. Thomas presents the facts as if in direct conversation with readers, with clear and accessible explanations. Fotheringham's boldly hued, action-packed digital illustrations are bright and cheery; they depict an all-white cast. Extensive backmatter includes further information on Ford and soybeans, two recipes, a timeline, and further resources. Absent from both it and the primary story is any reference to Ford's virulent anti-Semitism.

A fascinating if focused look at an inventor and innovator who changed America. (notes, bibliography) (Informational picture book. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews