Welcome Spring!
This week we welcomed spring! As the weather gets warmer and the days longer, our attention turns to spending more time outdoors to enjoy the new life budding all around us! At this time of year, many of us plan and begin planting gardens. The books featured this week focus on all that gardening has to offer with illustrations that will take your breath away!
Joyful Reading!
In the Garden
Written and Illustrated by Emma Giuliani
This richly illustrated, oversized book (approximately 12 x 16 inches) follows Plum and her little brother Robin as they tend to their garden throughout the year. Beginning at the end of winter and transition to spring, they focus on cleaning up the remnants of the winter and preparing for new planting. Each season features the primary activities in the garden: summer’s growth of blooms and edibles, the harvest of fall fruits and vegetables, followed by the return of winter’s dormant phase. Each double-page spread features the children working the garden and the facing panels feature pull-open flaps that provide additional information about plant life, gardening tools, and practices. The text introduces children to horticultural terminology and the science of gardening.
Patience, Miyuki
Written by Roxane Marie Galliez, Illustrated by Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Miyuki is bursting with excitement to welcome spring. She eagerly rushes her grandfather to join her in exploring all the new blooms that have arrived, only to be disappointed when one small flower has yet to bloom. Despite her grandfather’s assurances that with some patience, the flower will bloom when it is ready, Miyuki sets out on an unsuccessful adventure to help the flower along. With encouragement from her grandfather, Miyuki musters up the patience to wait for the flower to bloom, while she and her grandfather enjoy all the flowers that have bloomed. Accompanied by Seng Soun Ratanavanh’s vibrant, richly detailed illustrations, this is a lovely book that celebrates spring and the special relationship between a young girl and her grandfather.
Beyond the Books
Gardening with children is not only a fun and educational activity but also a wonderful way to instill a love for nature, teach responsibility, and encourage healthy eating habits. Gardening provides countless opportunities for learning, creativity, and bonding. It nurtures a sense of responsibility, patience, and appreciation for the natural world. Plus, it's a fantastic way to create lasting memories as a family. Whether you have a yard with a great deal of outdoor space, or live in an apartment, anyone can garden.
KidsGardening.org provides wide range of resources for families and educators gardening with children outdoors, indoors, in containers, and in school settings. EarthEasy provides recommendations and resources for gardening with young children. You can even regrow vegetables and herbs from kitchen scraps.
If you need a bit more inspiration, check out Ron Finley’s TED Talk and website.