The search for a picture book that fully encompasses gardening with children, has been a long one. Every spring I start looking through new book lists and I mostly come up empty handed. That's not to say there are not some really great books on gardening with children, but I just couldn't find the right combination of relevant yet easy to digest information, and beautiful illustrations. So it makes perfect sense really, that I did not find this book. My mother did.
And I am oh so glad she did. How Does My Garden Grow? by Gerda Muller is thoughtful without being heavy-handed. It's a joy to look at as well as a wonderful tool to get kids excited about growing their own vegetables.
Follow along as our protagonist Sophie, travels from the city to her grandparents country farm where she learns that veggies don't just come from super markets. And that getting your hands in the soil and spending the day out in the sun, just might be the best thing there is.
Although this book does not go into great depth on subjects like compost, bees and pollination, and the cycle of the garden, it does provide enough information on each subject to understand it's basic principals and create great jumping off points for discussion. Also included on each page are fun little side facts to encourage exploration and afternoons full of dirty hands and muddy boots.
From readying the ground in spring to putting the garden to bed in the winter, How Does My Garden Grow? is is a delightful introduction to the wonders of the garden and where our food comes from.
~ Jordan
*Last time in Books and Stories: Rainy Spring Flowers
