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.
Peggy Thomas is the author of Farmer George Plants a Nation, an award-winning history and science picture book biography of George Washington, as well as more than a dozen other books for children. She lives in Middleport, New York, not far from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. View titles by Peggy Thomas
Edwin Fotheringham has illustrated many award-winning picture book biographies, including What To Do About Alice? and Those Rebels, John and Tom. He has also produced art for magazines, including The New Yorker and Ladies’ Home Journal. He lives in Seattle, Washington, with his family and their dog and two cats. Visit edfotheringham.com. View titles by Edwin Fotheringham
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

About

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.

Author

Peggy Thomas is the author of Farmer George Plants a Nation, an award-winning history and science picture book biography of George Washington, as well as more than a dozen other books for children. She lives in Middleport, New York, not far from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. View titles by Peggy Thomas
Edwin Fotheringham has illustrated many award-winning picture book biographies, including What To Do About Alice? and Those Rebels, John and Tom. He has also produced art for magazines, including The New Yorker and Ladies’ Home Journal. He lives in Seattle, Washington, with his family and their dog and two cats. Visit edfotheringham.com. View titles by Edwin Fotheringham

Praise

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

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