Mar 06, 2023

Lisl H. Detlefsen talks Farm Boots

What inspired you to write FARM BOOTS?

FARM BOOTS was inspired, in part, from doing school and library visits for my very first book, TIME FOR CRANBERRIES. I would often bring my tall, waterproof hip boots along to show kids, and they just loved trying them on! Some small kiddos could even fit inside just one boot! It made me think about how, in addition to being practical, it's fun to wear different types of boots for different purposes around our farm. Then I began thinking about the wide range of footwear on other types of farms, too, and the story was underway!

What is your favorite pair of boots and why?

It’s very hard to top my hip boots! They just feel so specific to the cranberry industry. But I will say, any pair of boots that are warm—bring on the fuzzy lining!—are loved and appreciated by me because my feet are always cold!

What is your favorite season on the farm?

Oh, that’s a tough one! I usually answer fall because of harvest, but in terms of boot variety, I’d have to go with winter! My family has a lot of fun cross country skiing, snow shoeing, ice skating, and playing in the snow on the farm. We only have one hill for sledding, but when my kids were little, one was all we needed!

Can you explain the ending of FARM BOOTS?

The ending talks about outgrowing boots and swapping for ones that fit just right. I love that ending; it reminds me of how our farming community shares hand-me-downs of so many items, including boots! My sons have worn a variety of boots that came from our generous marsh neighbors with older kids, and we’ve passed along boots from our boys to marsh neighbors with younger kids. Now that my boys are older, I’m actually getting “hand-me-up" boots from them as their feet become bigger than mine!

Why do you think books like FARM BOOTS are important?

Telling the story of modern farming families is so important to me because kids love—and need!—to see their lives represented on the page. When I started writing books about agriculture, I initially thought I was writing them for kids like me who did not grow up on a farm and needed an opportunity to have a window into that world. Once TIME FOR CRANBERRIES came out, though, it became clear to me just how important it is for kids growing up on farms to see themselves in books, too. And while FARM BOOTS is a rollicking, rhyming love letter to boots in all seasons, it also showcases a wide variety of farms and farm careers, too!

Anything else?

I’m so excited to be working with the extremely talented illustrator Renée Kurilla again! She illustrated my first book with Feeding Minds Press, RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE, and we became fast friends once we met. Renée illustrated FARM BOOTS in a slightly different style, and I just love it—it’s the perfect fit for the story! When Renée began the illustration process, she asked if I had any reference photos for the types of boots mentioned in the story. Of course, I was very happy to email her a few of my favorites! It’s fun to see how some of these match boots in the finished book.

You can get your copy of FARM BOOTS starting March 21, 2023 or you can pre-order it today!

You can learn more about Lisl H. Detlefsen and her other titles on her website.