With the increasing popularity of gardening, let’s look at a classic book: Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children by Sharon Lovejoy. 
This book has been a family favorite. Lovejoy’s creativity and obvious joy in her subject make it a unique treasure among gardening books. So much more than a simple how-to plant a garden, children learn to experience the garden with all their senses. Their interest is engaged in complex and multi-layered ways. Hollyhocks aren’t just tall plants with pretty flowers; they are forts or hideouts, dolls and even snacks.
Not only is this book filled with accurate and fun information about gardening, but also the creatures you find there. For example, under “Harvest Treats for the Birds & Bees” on page 36, Sharon Lovejoy gives instructions for a simple “Stalk Hotel” as a place for pollinating insects to nest. This is a wonderful way to re-purpose a part of the garden that might otherwise be tossed away (more on small carpenter bees.) As an entomologist who has led bug walks for kids, I love her “Explorer’s Kit” on page 137.
I could go on and on at all the wonderful things in this book. If you haven’t already seen it, I highly recommend you take a look at it. There’s something in it for everyone to love.
Related Activities:
Kitchen scrap gardening – look in the left column for links to activities.
Theme gardens
Theme garden books
Germination test to do with children
More germination experiments
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (May 1, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0761110569
ISBN-13: 978-0761110569
Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. For more information, stop by Picture Book of the Day which is hosting today’s carnival.
