10th February World Pulses Day

Did you know that pulses are among the most climate-friendly foods? 

Pulses, also known as legumes, are the edible seeds of leguminous plants cultivated for food. Dried beans, lentils and peas are the most commonly known and consumed types of pulses. Pulses do not include crops that are harvested green (e.g. green peas, green beans)—these are classified as vegetable crops.

They are packed with nutrients and have a high protein content, making them an ideal source of protein particularly in regions where meat and dairy are not physically or economically accessible. Pulses are low in fat and rich in soluble fibre, which can lower cholesterol and help in the control of blood sugar. Because of these qualities they are recommended by health organizations for the management of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart conditions. Pulses have also been shown to help combat obesity. They are packed with nutrients and have a high protein content, making them an ideal source of protein particularly in regions where meat and dairy are not physically or economically accessible.

Pulses improve soil productivity, increasing the resilience of farming systems.  Pulses provide a better life for farmers in water-scarce environments, as they have a low water footprint and can better tolerate drought and climate-related disasters. 

2016 was declared as the International Year of Pulses and we started the year off with a wonderful display of picture books that highlighted pulses. We took the liberty of including beans and peas because that really added to the cachet of books. So this week I think we'll put out some books about pulses again!

The good thing about school children today is that they are far more interested in food and where it comes from and because the playground is very multicultural there is more talk about food as well. Crunch and Sip in schools has also helped. Children eat dhal and hummus at lunchtime, two superfoods made from pulses!

So what to read? Start with something general like this so that students understand what we mean by pulses:

 

Then have some fun. Read:

Want a serial? Your library might have these:

And if this is not enough, look here.

6th January Bean Day (Part 4) Jonathan Bean

Jonathan Bean is an author illustrator based in Pennsylvania in the US. Until his picture book Building Our House, I hadn't noticed his illustrations in other authors books, but after doing a search I realised I already had books in my library with his illustrations, even one by an Australian author, Wendy Orr's novel,  Mokie and Bik Go to Sea. Lynne Jonell's series of novels about Emmy had been popular with a small group of good readers and I loved their covers, but hadn't 'twigged' to the fact that Jonathan was the illustrator. Last year I added Deborah Underwood's Bad Bye, Good Bye and At Night which I really love and thus got a new appreciation of Jonathan Bean's work. I am now off to buy his newest title This is My Home, This is My School. Very few of the students I teach would know about homeschooling so I'm sure this book will lead to some interesting discussion.

When I do displays in the library I always 'go off on tangents' so sometime this year as part of the International Year of Pulses, Jonathan Bean will have his own display as an 'author/illustrator to watch'!

6th January Pulse Feast

2016 is the International Year of Pulses. Visit the website and see a film clip that explains what pulses are and why we should celebrate them. Pulse Feast is celebrated on 6th January (aka  Bean Day). This feast encourages people around the world to eat pulses, to show their love of beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas. It also aims to raise awareness of the health, nutrition and sustainability benefits of pulses for people, animals and the planet.

And as I have written about for the last three days, and will again tomorrow there are hundreds of picture books you could use to also celebrate pulses.

Strictly speaking pulses are seeds, so they are dried beans and peas rather than the fresh vegetables, so today I searched the library catalogue for books about baked beans and was surprised to find we had some. You may have some of these too, even though some are old.

While reading these remember the song Musical Beans

Beans, beans, the musical fruit
The more you eat, the more you toot
The more you toot, the better you feel
So we have beans at every meal!


And then you will have to read It All Started With a Bean by Katie McKy.