By: Ryan Duey
Photo Courtesy of Lindsay Metcalf
Award-winning Concordia author Lindsay Metcalf will host two special book signing events of her new children’s book, ‘Tomatoes on Trial, The Fruit vs. Vegetable Showdown,’ at the Frank Carlson Library in Concordia on Tuesday, September 23rd.
At 4:00 p.m., Metcalf will host a Storytime for children at the library, followed by an author Q&A and Salsa-making event for adults at 5:30 p.m.
‘Tomatoes on Trial’ recounts the true story of a legal dispute that made its way all the way to the Supreme Court in 1893, pitting the question: Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable?
“There’s this man named John Nix, who’s a produce merchant. He tries to import a boatload of tomatoes from Bermuda, and he thinks they’re fruits.”
“Fruits are not taxed with tariffs. So, he brings this boatload of tomatoes into the Port of New York, and lo and behold, they are deemed vegetables. So, he gets slapped with a 10% tax.”
“Nix vows to take the Customs Tax Collectors to court. After six years, it ends up in the Supreme Court of the United States, where they debate literally the definition of the tomato.”
Metcalf uses fun illustrations and hilarious text throughout the story, bringing this historic topic to children in a light-hearted manner.
“The book ended up being really fun to write, tons of poems, food fight stuff, ‘Team Fruit vs. Team Vegetable!’”
“It’s really just a kid-friendly way to invite debate and also introduce kids to this heady topic of tariffs, which are now back in the news.”
Critics have given the book high praise, highlighting the book’s classroom potential, which will have students debating with their classmates. Others noted that Metcalf humorously leverages puns, visual humor, and engaging voice in this historical food fight.
‘Tomatoes on Trial’ is currently available through multiple online platforms. Signed copies can also be purchased at the Cloud County Tourism Office in Concordia.
