The little readers of Grounded Acres Organic Farm credit: Hannah Lewis
Are you ready to welcome Spring? We’re there too! With a couple of weeks to go until we change the clocks, we’re celebrating more daylight (a little early) and renewing ourselves with this sunny list of seed reads brought to us by talented Victoria author and life adventurer, Michelle Mulder. If you’re looking to pick up a copy for your permanent collection consider supporting your neighbourhood book shop. Alternatively, browse your local library and borrow some of these titles. Read on for Michelle’s list!
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As a mom and an author, I’m always on the look-out for kids’ books that reflect our family values—growing food, eating locally, and getting our hands in the dirt! A few years ago, I wrote a novel for ages 10 to 13 featuring a grandfather’s heirloom-seed garden, and now this search for “seed reads” for kids has become even more of a passion. I’d love to hear about some of your favourite “seed reads” for young people. Feel free to contact me through my website if you’d like to share. Meanwhile, happy reading!
Here are some of our family favourites:
Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!, by Candace Fleming. (ages 2+)
Our daughter loved this simple story about the funny things adults do when we get obsessive about our gardens. Great for sparking a case of the giggles.
B
Eddie’s Garden: and How to Make Things Grow, by Sarah Garland (ages 3+)
This was one of my daughter’s absolute favourites, and we still quote it sometimes, almost a decade later. It’s wonderfully-illustrated and showcases just how exciting gardening can be for young people (and the big people who get to help them with it!) I love how Eddie’s whole family gets involved, from his toddler sister, right up to Grandad.
B
B
Stay, Little Seed, by Cristiana Valentini and Philip Giordano (ages 3+)
I discovered this one recently—a sweet story about a seed who’s nervous about leaving its tree. Eventually, the seed takes the plunge and finds out separation means exciting adventures of its own. I enjoyed the parallels that I sometimes feel as a parent letting go!
B
B
Water, Weed, and Wait, by Edith Hope Fine and Angela Demos Halpin (ages 4+)
Another one I’ve discovered recently, this book celebrates all the possibilities of a school garden, including finding out that otherwise-grumpy neighbours can be sympathetic after all. (This one might be out-of-print, but chances are your library system has it.)
B
B
Potatoes on Rooftops, by Hadley Dyer (ages 8+)
This nonfiction book inspired me hugely while I was writing my own nonfiction for kids on different topics. I love the conversational tone, the quick facts, the layout and illustrations, and Hadley Dyer’s obvious passion for her subject. I highly recommend it.
B
B
Plant! Cook! Eat! A Children’s Cookbook, by Joe Archer and Caroline Craig (ages 8+)
This nonfiction book combines gardening know-how and kitchen tips, too. The photographs are great, and attention to detail sparks the reader’s imagination: yes, this tomato seed can one day lead to lasagna!
B
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Michelle Mulder is the author of The Vegetable Museum (ages 10+), as well as many other books for children. For more information, please visit her website at www.michellemulder.com.
Editor's note: Michelle’s publisher Orca Books was so generous to send us a copy of The Vegetable Museum to read and enjoy! Here’s a picture of our Coordinator Keeley smiling for all of the great community connections we're building every day.
Interested in more great reads on seeds, community, and growing? Explore this blog post.