Cycle of Rice, Cycle of Life: A Story of Sustainable Farming

Cycle of Rice, Cycle of Life: A Story of Sustainable Farming by Jan Reynolds

This book relates the story of rice farming in Bali. For centuries, farming in Bali was done in the same way, with planting, harvesting, and allowing fields to lie fallow. Then modern methods were brought in. Rice production unexpectedly fell. Farmers went back to the old ways.

I had a hard time trying to stay with the story in the book. I have some interest in the subject, but not enough for a book of this length.

A little of the book:
“Kadek strikes harvested stalks against the side of a basket. This knocks off the kernels of rice which are collected in the basket below. The rice kernels will then be tossed in large, round sieves to separate out any small pieces of stalk or other materials. Finally, the rice will be laid in the sun to dry thoroughly, before it is packed into bags.”

Children’s comments:
No one liked this book. The children said this book had too many words. No one was interested in reading about growing rice.