How Does My Garden Grow?

K-Gr 3—This warm story of a child's summer at her grandparents' French country farm lovingly describes basic gardening techniques. As Sophie and Granddad John work together, city girl Sophie learns how to prepare a plot and then plants seeds, waters them, and watches the seedlings grow into productive plants. She helps harvest and eat the peas, radishes, and green beans that come from her garden instead of a supermarket. Fresh colors abound in the illustrations of Sophie, her grandparents, and her new friends. Creatures important to gardeners—birds, butterflies, bees, rabbits, bats, moles, worms, slugs, snails, and grubs—are beautifully pictured, as are the vegetables harvested throughout the summer. Sophie helps with autumn garden chores and late harvests as well as winter preparations during weekend visits. When spring comes again, Sophie creates a garden on her balcony with a friend. This combination of engaging story and gardening information will delight and teach readers.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA