Gardens & Growing

These books show how we grow our food — in the city and on the farm — using earth-friendly practices. Warm, inviting photographs complement the gentle text and invite the child into the wonderful world of gardening and growing.

Watch Me Grow!
A Down-to-Earth Look at Growing Food
in the City
   photographs by Brian Harris  

This book takes an inspiring look at the children and adults who are transforming our cities into greener, more beautiful spaces and growing earth-friendly food right where they live.

Take a journey through city gardens of all shapes and sizes, see gardeners at work, and find out how to care for the earth as you plant and grow your own food.

	Winner, Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, 2012, in the category of the Best Community Garden Book for Children, Santa Monica Public Library
	Best Children's Books of the Year, 2012, Bank Street College of Education, NYC
	Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre
	Best Books of 2011, Resource Links
	Finalist, Green Earth Book Award, Newton Marasco Foundation

"Growing, sharing and eating food we've grown is an act of caring - for ourselves, for others, for our cities and for the world we live in. Who could resist the call that ends this book: 'What will you grow?'"; Globe and Mail

"First reaction after reading this inviting title: I wanna move to Vancouver … at least for a summer or two! Who wouldn't want to be part of this 'bustling city' depicted in these colorful, diverse, delicious pages?" Book Dragon

"Direct and informative, this [book] should inspire many kids to test out how green their thumbs are." Publishers Weekly

Up We Grow!
A Year in the Life of a Small, Local Farm
   photographs by Brian Harris   

This book lovingly tells the story of four seasons on a small, sustainable farm.

Follow the farmers through the seasons as they plow, plant, compost, mulch, harvest and market their fruits and vegetables. Find out how these farmers are caring for our future and helping us all to grow up strong and healthy!

	Top Ten Best Environmental Book for Youth, Booklist, American Library Association
	Finalist, Information Book Award, Children's Literature Roundtable of Canada
	Finalist, Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Book Award, BC Book Prizes
	Best Books for Children and Teens 2010, Canadian Children's Book Centre
	The Year's Best Books, Resource Links, 2010

"Divided into seasonal chapters this photographic picture book journey of a 'small farm not too far from the city' provides wonderful pictures and accessible text about the process and cycle of small-scale farming." Youth Services Book Review, Massachusetts Librarians

"Thoughtfully written in praise of small farms, Up We Grow! successfully provides a look at a busy family-operated enterprise that has an eye to the future." Canadian Materials Magazine

"Written by Deborah Hodge with stunning photos by Brian Harris, this heartfelt collaboration is a celebration of good food and the land and farmers who provide it." Yoyomama

To see other nature books, click here.