The Book of Gardening Projects for Kids

Gr 4 Up—Packed with ideas for creating kid-friendly garden spaces and activities, this book will be useful to parents, families, and group leaders. Excellent-quality, full-color photographs on almost every page show adults and children sharing, working in, and enjoying vegetable and flower gardens. The text is practical and down to earth in presenting ways to engage youngsters in the process of growing, harvesting, and processing food as well as how to protect their gardens from insects, toxic plants, water features, etc. The illustrated instructions and recipes are sprinkled throughout the chapters and then listed and indexed by ages and areas of interest, e.g., for getting messy; garden parties, etc. These guided activities are balanced with advice to let children play (making mud pies, providing a dirt pile for toy cars and trucks), recognizing the importance of balancing work and play. This is a useful and inspirational guide to introduce children to the fun of growing and eating delicious fresh food.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA