Gardening

It's that time of year again!  The kids are EXCITED to break out the rakes and shovels and dig into the dirt, planting flowers and vegetables.  Hope we have a better turn out with our veggies this year compared to last!

Meanwhile, as you begin planning your own gardens, here are some book recommendations for the younger set:

In Planting a Rainbow (c. 1988), author/illustrator Lois Ehlert outlines the progression of garden planning while introducing various flower species covering each color of the rainbow.  I recommend this book for young listeners and those just beginning to read themselves.

In Growing Vegetable Soup (c. 1987), author/illustrator Lois Ehlert follows the progression of planting, waiting, caring, harvesting, and eating vegetables.  Again, I recommend this book for young listeners and those just beginning to read themselves.

Kevin Henkes explores a child's fantasy of her perfect garden and contrasts that with the child's reality in his book My Garden (c. 2010).  This is a quirky, fun read that gardening adults will appreciate as much as children.

And now a big thank you to Robin H. for our family favorite: SUNFLOWER HOUSES: A Book for Children and THeir Grown-Ups by Sharon Lovejoy (c. 1991, renewed 2001).  Now reading friends of all ages, if you haven't had a change to pick up a book by Sharon Lovejoy, then you really are missing out!  Lovejoy speaks the language of children.  She knows how kids play outside; she just knows what attracts them, and she has great ideas of things for them to do right there in their very own backyard.  If you can't get your hands on Sunflower Houses or if you couldn't get enough of it, try Roots Shoots Buckets & Boots (Gardening Together with Children) and/or Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars.




Happy gardening, everyone!