• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3

Back in the 1830s, who was a young blacksmith from Vermont, about to make his mark on American history? John Deere, that’s who!
Who moved to Illinois, where farmers were struggling to plow through the thick, rich soil they called gumbo? Who tinkered and tweaked and tested until he invented a steel plow that sliced into the prairie easy as you please?
Long before the first tractor, who changed farming forever? John Deere, that’s who!
Beautiful illustrations—including spectacular landscapes—reflect the time period and bring John Deere's remarkable story to life.

Tracy Nelson Maurer's profile page

Tim Zeltner's profile page

Tracy Nelson Maurer is the author of over a hundred books, including many nonfiction books for children. She lives near Minneapolis with her family, and loves to interact with readers on her frequent school and library visits.
Tim Zeltner is an award-winning artist and the illustrator of Power Down, Little Robot by Anna Staniszewski and Little Boo by Stephen Wunderli. He lives in Ontario, Canada, with his wife and dog.

A NSTA Best STEM Book of the Year
A NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
A Bank Street Best Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Missourian Summer Reading Selection
Frances and Kermit Rudolf Nonfiction Scholarship Award Winner
Indiana Farm Bureau 2018 Book of the Year
Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee
2018 Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Book of the Year
"The text is smoothly conversational and.... The illustrations are gorgeous." —Kirkus
"A solid selection to demonstrate the creative thinking and problem-solving skills needed for design or maker learning." —School Library Journal