MerrieBerries(R) Rollie-Pollie Race Day (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781425160357)

Rollie-Pollie Race Day is a story about one of several fruit, berry, and vegetable characters called MerrieBerries(R). The characters are part of the Berry Farm (at Christie's Corner), also known as "MerrieBerrie(R) Farm". The farm contains about 5 acres of organic fruit and berry plants.

Each page is beautifully illustrated with brightly-coloured, full-page, illustrations done by gifted local artist, Lorraine Shulba. The stories were originally written by Jackie Christie to help the grandchildren with their reading when they were younger. The stories are now being produced to share the farm's history and the little fruit and berry character stories with other children.

Other books written by Jackie Christie include: (1)Pumpkin Junction and the Harvest Moon Luncheon(2007); (2) Wanda Watermelon and the Wild Waterslide Wipeout (May 2008), (3) Rusty Rock-a-Roodle-Roo (April 2008); and (4) Tip-Toe the Spider and the Halloween Hall (January 2008). The books are available at the berry farm website, through Trafford Publishing, at the Downtown Edmonton City Farmers Market, and at Greenwood Books in Edmonton, Alberta.

Readers can visit the farm's website at www.theberryfarm.ca, to view photographs of the actual farm, including Woofie the farmdog and Gandhi the farmcat. There are also photos of the chicken tractor, which is home to Rusty and Rita, the farm's notable chicken family and their baby chicks.

The berry farm is situated just outside Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is owned by Jim and Jackie Christie, who sell the farm's organically grown products at the Downtown Edmonton Farmers Market on Saturdays every summer. Jackie and Jim's daughter, Sherri, her husband, Darren, and their two sons, Colton and Silas, and daughter, Spencer, help the grandparents with the little family farm business.

Jim Christie was born and grew up on the family farm, where his parents operated a prize-winning dairy business. Presently, the Christies have planted about 5 acres with organic fruit and berry plants, which will be open to the public commencing in 2009 or 2010. In addition to the fresh fruits and preserves, the farm sells various other products, including pussy willows, wreaths, tomatoes and bedding plants, potted fruit trees and bushes, as well as various home-made fruit bars and fruit leathers. The farm's fresh and frozen fruit is used by several restaurants and businesses, including being made into several fine chocolates.

All the products used are 100% natural. There are no additives or preservatives. Preserved products are made using natural honey and other ingredients bought from other vendors at the downtown Edmonton City Farmers Market.