How can children learn about gardening? The Garden in Our Yard by Greg Henry Quinn a story that attempts this task. "It's spring again," is the first line, of course. We need spring to begin the work of planting seeds. This book is written in a rhyme that mostly works well. The characters are not named, but look like a young family of four--two parents and two children. The family garden must be weeded and watered. The children see tiny leaves grow. In the fall, "We find bright Red tomatoes, And crooked yellow squash, A black eggplant, Long green beans, and Carrots we must wash." Maybe this is one way to encourage children to eat their vegetables. At the end of the book, the garden sleeps beneath winter snow. The children dress in brightly colored sweaters (one of them wears a red hat that looks like a tomato), visit the garden, and anticipate spring. Lena Shiffman's illustrations are lovely.
