DayÂlight savÂings time makes me grumÂble at havÂing to get up earÂliÂer. But, it also means that spring is comÂing. I start thinkÂing about what seeds I will plant for my garÂden, and which books I will read to my stuÂdents, to give them hope when they still see snow on the ground.
To encourÂage plantÂiÂng seeds to save the enviÂronÂment, to brightÂen spirÂits, and to instill a sense of conÂnecÂtion and posÂsiÂbilÂiÂty, I like to read the folÂlowÂing books that focus on garÂdenÂing and comÂmuÂniÂty. Read and Grow!
AnyÂwhere Farm
writÂten by PhylÂlis Root
illusÂtratÂed by G. BriÂan Karas
CanÂdlewick Press, 2017
JaunÂty, rhyming text and underÂstatÂed yet joyÂful illusÂtraÂtions showÂcase a wide range of chilÂdren and neighÂbors buildÂing a comÂmuÂniÂty garÂden. A very appealÂing read-aloud to introÂduce the idea of growÂing where you can.
Farmer Will Allen and the GrowÂing Table
writÂten by JacquelÂing BrigÂgs MarÂtin
illusÂtratÂed by Eric-Shabazz Larkin
ReadÂers to Eaters, 2013
This liveÂly picÂture book biogÂraÂphy introÂduces young readÂers to Milwaukee’s famous urban farmer, Will Allen. A forÂmer proÂfesÂsionÂal basÂketÂball playÂer, his work is highÂlightÂed in this colÂorÂful book, inspirÂing young readÂers to think about where their food comes from.
Harlem Grown: How One Big Idea
TransÂformed a NeighÂborÂhood
writÂten by Tony Hillery
illusÂtratÂed by Jessie HartÂland
Simon & SchusÂter, 2020
Nevaeh and her friends help Mr. Tony transÂform a ‘hauntÂed’ garÂden into a thrivÂing urban farm in this whimÂsiÂcalÂly-illusÂtratÂed celÂeÂbraÂtion of growing.
If You Plant a Seed
writÂten and illusÂtratÂed by Kadir NelÂson
Balzar + Bray, 2015
With beauÂtiÂfulÂly detailed and expresÂsive aniÂmal illusÂtraÂtions and simÂple prose, Kadir NelÂson highÂlights the powÂer of workÂing togethÂer in comÂmuÂniÂty to grow a garÂden, but also to culÂtiÂvate kindness.
Jayden’s ImposÂsiÂble GarÂden
writÂten by MéliÂna ManÂgal
illusÂtratÂed by Ken Daley
Strive/Free SpirÂit, 2021
JayÂden wants his mothÂer to see the beauÂty of nature in the city. When he joins forces with an elderÂly neighÂbor, who knows what will hapÂpen? With vibrant illusÂtraÂtions by illusÂtraÂtor Ken Daly, Jayden’s ImposÂsiÂble GarÂden highÂlights how imagÂiÂnaÂtion can conÂnect neighÂbors in new ways.
Thank You, GarÂden
writÂten by Liz GarÂton ScanÂlon
illusÂtratÂed by Simone Shin
Beach Lane Books, 2020
With vinÂtage-like illusÂtraÂtions by CaldeÂcott-HonÂor Award illusÂtraÂtor Simone Shin, this picÂture book celÂeÂbrates the growth of flowÂers, vegÂetaÂbles, and friendÂships between comÂmuÂniÂty memÂbers in this city garden.

There Grows the NeighÂborÂhood:
AgriÂculÂture in the City
writÂten Mike CarÂriere
illusÂtratÂed by Paul KjelÂland
SHARP LitÂerÂaÂcy Inc., 2014
This large forÂmat book folÂlows sevÂerÂal stuÂdents in the future as they recount how their neighÂborÂhoods were transÂformed by Farmer Will Allen’s urban garÂdenÂing moveÂment. Full of facts, phoÂtos, and stuÂdent art about urban farmÂing, this book will inspire chilÂdren to get out and grow.
The VanÂderÂbeekÂers and the HidÂden GarÂden
writÂten by KariÂna Yan Glaser
HMH Books for Young ReadÂers, 2018
In this heartÂwarmÂing secÂond book feaÂturÂing the VanÂderÂbeekÂers, the sibÂlings plan a garÂden unlike any othÂer: a magÂiÂcal healÂing garÂden. Though they hope it will be the best in Harlem, how will they conÂtend with locked gates, a develÂopÂer with sights on the land, and othÂer obstacles?
What a great crop of books!