Gabel Publishes Ag-Themed Children's Book – Rachel Gabel, farm broadcaster for Western Ag Network, is about to release her sixth agriculture-themed children’s book.
She started writing children's books when she noticed few options for kids interested in agriculture.
“I have kids of my own that are growing up on the ranch, and they love a good agriculture-themed bedtime story,” Gabel said. “Many times, they were either inaccurate or so accurate that they were boring. We were trying to find a middle ground of something accurate but also fun.”
The first book she wrote was titled Kindergarten Rancher.
“It was about a little girl who didn’t want to go to school because she wanted to stay home and be a rancher,” Gabel said. “She felt like she didn’t need school, so she spent a week on the ranch. She realized that ranchers need to go to school to know how to read, do math and other skills.”
Gabel’s other books include The Woolly Way, The Sweetest Treat, Kindergarten Cowman, and others. She is getting ready to publish her newest book, Cattle, Corn & Courage: The Story of Dr. John Matsushima.
“This book is about Dr. John Matsushima, who is 103 years old and attended Colorado State University during World War II,” Gabel said. “He is Japanese American and faced a lot of racism during that time. He was on the livestock judging team, and they stood by him throughout the hatred spreading throughout America. For example, he wasn’t allowed to eat in the cafes on competition trips, so his teammates would eat in the car with him.”
Matsushima went on to develop the process for making steamed, flaked corn and originated the first seed truck design. Gabel’s favorite part has been watching the book come to life on the pages.
“I love seeing all of the illustrations come together from the historical photos we compiled,” Gabel said. “My illustrator, Liz Banman Munsterteiger, does a great job combining my historical research and story with her amazing eye for illustrations.”
