12 Children’s Books on Gardening

It's a sign that that spring is almost here when children’s bookstores display garden books in their storefront windows. On a trip to Boston this past weekend, I noticed that The Childrens Book Shop on Harvard Street, in Brookline, Massachusetts, has dedicated its entire streetfront display to the topic of gardening. Here are twelve books they selected along with publishers or sellers descriptive notes. Click on each image for more information, prices, and shopping.

A Day At The Market, Sara Anderson. Celebrate one glorious day of fresh flowers, fish, and produce at Seattle's Pike Place Market--a 100-year-old working farmer's market that steals the hearts of locals and visitors alike. With her signature cut-paper style and playful rhymes in a sturdy, oversized board book with peek-a-boo die-cuts, Sara Anderson captures the essence of the Market she treasures--not only its friendly cacophony, but also the richness of its colorful community, the secrets of its many nooks and crannies, and its irresistible summer bounty. All ages.

Earth Care, Margaret Read Macdonald. A collection of traditional tales and proverbs from over twenty countries or ethnic groups, touching upon both human and ecological themes such as environmental protection, the care of other creatures, and the connection of all things in nature. The book contains 41 stories and 41 proverbs. 53 cultures are represented. Ages 5 and up.

Growing Garden, Lois Ehlerts. Color explodes from the author's bold, beautiful cut-paper collages like seeds from an over-ripe pod. Three gift-sized editions of her beloved hardcover picture books--Eating the Alphabet (with a glossary of fruits and vegetables), Planting a Rainbow (a concept book about colors and different flowers), and Growing Vegetable Soup (includes a recipe!)--are packaged in a lovely slipcase with a 16" x 22" flower-garden poster. Age 4 and up.

How Does My Garden Grow? DK. Help your child discover the science behind the wonderful world of plants. They'll learn all about the lifecycle of plants, how they work and where they live through hands on fun projects that show science in action. From pollination to hydroponics, this book will teach your child new science facts in a fun and simple way. Age 7 and up.

In The Garden, Elizabeth Spurr. In this gently rhyming board book, a young boy creates a garden, one small action at a time. First, he digs in the dirt and plants seeds, then he adds soil, water, and some patience. With time, the seeds grow and the boy excitedly discovers what he has helped to make. Along the way, readers learn the words for simple objects related to the garden and nature.

Maisy’s Garden, Lucy Cousins.  A Maisy book with stickers!  There are lots of wonderful things growing in Maisy’s garden - fruits, flowers, vegetables, grass, and more! Young readers join the fun as they complete the scenes with more than 25 full-color, reusable stickers. Age 3 and up.

My Garden, Kevin Henkes. A girl helps in her mother’s garden, but in the garden of her imagination, there are chocolate rabbits, tomatoes as big as beach balls, flowers that change color, and seashells. Age 2 and up.

Plant A Little Seed, Bonnie Christensen. With a little help from a watering can, bright sunlight, and a lot of patience, two friends plant seeds in their community garden and watch how they grow. Slowly, the seeds turn into sprouts, which grow into stems, followed by leaves and buds! The garden will soon be teeming with life and ready for a harvest season celebration. But until then, the children water and wait and dream. Age 3 and up.

Secrets Of The Garden, Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld. Alice's family plants a vegetable garden each spring, and this budding naturalist reports how the plants grow, what insects come to eat the plants, and what birds and animals come to eat the insects.  It's the food chain, in her backyard! Age 5 and up.

Seed, Soil, Sun, Cris Peterson. With these three simple ingredients, nature creates food. Using the corn plant as an example, the author celebrates the agricultural cycle of growth, harvest, and renewal. This American Farm Bureau Foundation Agriculture Book of the Year also discusses the make-up of soil and the creatures who live there--from microscopic one-celled bacteria to moles, amoebas, and earthworms. Ages 4 to 7.

The Future Of The Earth, Yann Arthus-Bertrand. In easy terms for the older child, a book about sustainable development. A primer on mankind's direct and indirect impact on the natural world, it explains how global trends, economic disparity, and invasive species have changed our world. Spectacular photos of fragile environments. Age 10 and up.

Who Am I? Farm Animals, DK. A peephole format to keep babies and toddlers engaged, and age-appropriate text introducing simple facts about favorite objects and animals. Lift-the-flap format establishes parent and child interaction; Peephole guessing game improves cognitive skills and memory; Simple facts encourage early learning and oral skills; Ages 0 to 5.