The Gardeners of America
Books to Grow Young Gardeners
So many books are available that inspire future and newbie gardeners of all ages. They are in your public library and for purchase in stores and online. Here are books our Youth Gardening national chair Cheri Kessen – a lifelong educator – especially likes.
Some of the books are for adult mentors. Others, teens and young readers will enjoy. Several are for brand-new readers and read-aloud bonding. Many also are available in audio format and some even have free fun YouTube versions. The links are to Amazon books, for descriptions.
Enjoy!
Simple, colorful, easy (beginning readers):
Whose Garden Is It? by Mary Ann Hoberman
Our Community Garden by Barbara Pollak
Plant Secrets by Emily Goodman
The Whole Green World by Tony Johnston
Pie in the Sky by Lois Ehlert
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TceUMI4jBpE
To Be Like the Sun by Susan Marie Swanson
The Vegetable Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta and Bob Thomson
Lady Bugs: Red, Fiery, and Bright by Mia Posada
Wiggle and Waggle by Caroline Arnold
Nibbles, A Green Tale by Charlotte Littleton
Intermediate reading level:
Down to Earth: Garden Secrets! Garden Stories! Garden Projects You Can Do! by Michael J. Rosen
The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin
Roots, Shoots, Buckets, & Boots by Sharon Lovejoy
The Plant-and-Grow Project Book by Ulla Dietl
Miss Lady Bird’s Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America by Kathi Appelt
Kids in the Garden: Growing Plants for Food and Fun by Elizabeth McCorquodale
Mentoring, resources, adult readers:
Worms Eat Our Garbage: Classroom Activities for a Better Environment by Mary Applehof, Mary Frances Fenton and Barbara Loss Harris
A Child’s Garden: 60 Ideas to Make Any Garden Come Alive for Children by Molly Dannenmaier
Growing with Gardening: A Twelve-month Guide for Therapy, Recreation, and Education by Bibby Moore
Hollyhocks and Honeybees: Garden Projects for Young Children by Sara Starbuck, Marla Olthof and Karen Midden
The Youth Gardening Book: A complete guide for teachers, parents, and youth leaders by Lynn Ocone No image available
The Children’s Kitchen Garden: A book of Gardening, Cooking, and Learning by Georgeanne and Ethel Brennan