We love children's books about gardening
We've been enduring quite a few days of intense summer heat lately, and our time in the backyard has been a bit limited.
So, because their mother's obsession is getting to them, my kids have been loving to spend our increased indoor time reading books about gardening. I love children's books, and even more when they're packed with good quality info and beautiful artistry, because we all know children's minds absorb everything. I'm trying to raise little gardeners, and I've found that the books listed here are wonderful tools.
Keep in mind that my children are 1 and 3 years old, so my recommendations will appeal to young toddlers, but not exclusively. These books definitely work for older kids, as well.
If you're a gardener hoping to stir some wonder in a little gardener's mind, or help children in your life know more about the garden, here are a few books you should read. I'll update this list as I find more (I have a large queue of children's gardening books that I can't wait to check out.)
You May Also Like
How to Create a Child's Garden
Reduce Stress by Getting Out in the Garden
6 Organic Products to Use in Your Garden
Five Easy Vegetables to Grow
A children's book for learning about bees
The Honeybee by Kirsten Hall
Any vehicle-less book that captures my vehicle-loving son's attention must possess a litle bit of magic. "Honeybee" by Kirsten Hall has bright, enchanting illustrations and so much information about the way bees collect pollen and turn it into honey (without resembling a textbook). In fact, my husband and I can be rhyme-scheme snobs, and the rhyming in this book is so fantastic. I'm serious: She must use magic to turn bee facts into such an engaging book.
Age range: 4-8
A children's book about the life you'll find in a garden
In a Garden by Tim McCanna
Kids get a taste of the life-giving nature of the garden as this book explores a garden through the seasons. Spoiler: It starts and ends with a seed! I also appreciate that it shows some of the relationships that are fostered in a garden, from the insects and the plants to the friends who tend the garden together. It's a sweet book with beautiful illustrations and a nice rhyme scheme.
Age range: 4-8
A children's book about colors in the garden
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
Here's a board book for young children that does double duty: Teaches them their colors with a rainbow of flowers, and teaches kids to identify and name some common plants. I'd say it's a great primer to becoming a plant nerd because, as a fellow plant nerd, it's encouraging to see a simple board book help children learn how to recognize and name plants.
Age range: 4-8
A children's garden activity book
Plant, Sow, Make, & Grow by Esther Coombs
This is actually an activity book, but it reads like a picture book. Intricate and playful illustrations make the book interesting for even my young toddlers to look at. The words and information help the adult guide young children through garden-related activities, but it's written simply enough for young readers to understand and initiate each activity on their own, too.
Age range: 4-11
Share your favorite kids gardening book!
I'm sure you have a favorite kids gardening book of your own. Please share it with me! Post a photo of the book to social media with the hash tag #GardeningBooksForKids and tag me @VintageUrbanGarden!
What's next to read?
Here's a list of some more books I'm hoping to read soon. I'll be sure to add them to my list of recommendations if any of these end up joining our permanent collection.
Plant the Tiny Seed by Christie Matheson
This is an interactive children's book with prompts to wiggle their fingers to water the seed or clap their hands to bring out the sun. I am sure my little ones will be giggling over this book.
Age Range: 4-8
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
There's a series of these books, and we have one called "Over and Under the Pond", also by Kate Messner. They make science interesting and are packed with quality information.
Age Range: 4-8
The Big Book of Blooms by Yuval Zommer
The colorful illustration is enough to intrigue me, but the fact that this children's book dives deep into the world of flowers is the most compelling feature. It looks like the book explores specific plants from a variety of climates and from around the world. How interesting! The many high reviews are quite telling, too.
Age Range: 4-8
Check Out My Previous Posts:
My Houseplants Are Vacationing | Vintage Urban Garden
My Entryway containers | Vintage Urban Garden
My Garden’s Story | Vintage Urban Garden
To Deadhead or Not? | Vintage Urban Garden
