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· 28 ratings · 9 reviews

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Jan 17, 2015 Crystal rated it liked it

Review copy: final copy from publisher

I love Christy Hale's work. Her illustrations are fantastic. The collage is bright and appealing. I felt that she got the atmosphere of the text: a spirit of collaboration and fun in a cheerful place of growth and life. She also showed the diversity of the garden and of the students too.

The text could have been narrative instead of poetry. It didn't always flow in that format. It felt a little like the words were being forced into poems. The one I enjoyed t

Review copy: final copy from publisher

The text could have been narrative instead of poetry. It didn't always flow in that format. It felt a little like the words were being forced into poems. The one I enjoyed the most was 'Spring Plant Sale.' It was a concrete poem that was shaped like a seedling stretching up out of a pot.

This might be a nice book to have for a primary gardening program, but it would not be one to get if you are looking for poetry.

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Aug 01, 2012 Phoebe rated it liked it

The rhythm of this story was a little hard to follow at first, probably because the author is stretching to make good use of different forms (poetry, narrative, recipe.) The illustrations are amazing right from the start however, and I think help the book over some of it's storytelling hurtles. A great first book and impressive effort to express the values of gardening, education, and friendship. The rhythm of this story was a little hard to follow at first, probably because the author is stretching to make good use of different forms (poetry, narrative, recipe.) The illustrations are amazing right from the start however, and I think help the book over some of it's storytelling hurtles. A great first book and impressive effort to express the values of gardening, education, and friendship. ...more

4/15/2018 ~~ In alternating poems and "fact boxes" the author shares the story of a new boy exploring an elementary school's garden and various facts about gardens, plants, etc. As I read the first 3-4 double page spreads, I had a bit of difficulty tracking the story. I realized the pattern when I really attended to the difference in font and color.

This would be an excellent book to kick off the planting season of a school or community garden.

I discovered this book after I started haunting the

This would be an excellent book to kick off the planting season of a school or community garden.

I discovered this book after I started haunting the work from this publisher, Readers to Eaters. I first became aware of the work of this publisher with their book about Chef Roy Choi published this year.

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This book is about a boy named Michael who is starting a new school. By adjusting to his new school, he starts to help out with the school's garden. He meets new friends while doing this, and learns about the different parts of a garden. He also starts to adjust and love his new school.

This book introduces a lot of information about gardening to the readers. Including different fruits and vegetables, recipes, seeds, and how to properly take care of a garden. Boring read though.

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Aug 22, 2014 Librariansteph rated it really liked it

This book is a wonderful introduction to the idea of school gardens, and is full of suggestions and ideas for getting started. It also provides a lot of inspiration for teachers about how the garden can be incorporated across the curriculum. The illustrations are terrific.

It does not really function as a read aloud. The poems are okay, and they do create a story arc, but the nonfiction sections slow things down a bit.

Nov 15, 2012 Lizzie rated it liked it

This was more like 3/5 stars... Loved the message and idea of the mixing styles of writing (recipe, free verse poem, jokes,etc) but I think it didn't flow so nicely. The illustration had a lot of warmth. My favorite part was the riddles. It would work well as a display for Summer Reading 2013 theme ("Dig It...Read") This was more like 3/5 stars... Loved the message and idea of the mixing styles of writing (recipe, free verse poem, jokes,etc) but I think it didn't flow so nicely. The illustration had a lot of warmth. My favorite part was the riddles. It would work well as a display for Summer Reading 2013 theme ("Dig It...Read") ...more

Jan 06, 2013 Leslie rated it really liked it

A new student explores the school garden throughout the year. Great author's note on the history of school gardens and resources to help you create your own school garden. A new student explores the school garden throughout the year. Great author's note on the history of school gardens and resources to help you create your own school garden. ...more

Apr 09, 2016 Jen rated it really liked it

So much joy throughout this book, sharing the long-reaching benefits of school gardens.

This story follows Michael on his journey at his new school. Michael adjusts to his new surroundings by helping grow the school's garden with his peers. He gets to spend a lot of time with his new friends as well as learn all about the different parts of a garden. He learns about different fruits and vegetables, different recipes, special days, seeds, and how to properly care for a garden. Through all of this Michael is able to adjust to his new school and learn to love it. All of the informatio This story follows Michael on his journey at his new school. Michael adjusts to his new surroundings by helping grow the school's garden with his peers. He gets to spend a lot of time with his new friends as well as learn all about the different parts of a garden. He learns about different fruits and vegetables, different recipes, special days, seeds, and how to properly care for a garden. Through all of this Michael is able to adjust to his new school and learn to love it. All of the information that Michael learns, the readers also learn. Throughout the book the author also includes sections with facts about gardening that are relevant to each page.

I gave this book a two star rating because it is not something I would see many people rereading. It offers a lot of good information about gardening, but it is not terribly entertaining. It would be good to use to help with understanding about the different aspects of gardening, but it is not one I would grab off the shelf for entertainment.

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