Cultivating A Child S Imagination Through Gardening

Lead children to literacy and learning along the garden path with books and activities designed to spark interest and imagination. Each of these 45 lessons focuses on a specific book about gardening and offers related activities-such as reading, writing, poetry, word play, music, dancing, and dramatics-to enhance creativity and build literacy skills. In addition, this resource lists more books to read with each lesson and concludes with an annotated bibliography of focus books. A great companion to Beyond the Bean Seed. Grades K-6.

In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. Through engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the country, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists, Lawson applies the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces. Detailed chapters address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden. The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world.

Kiko is a gardener. She takes care of her garden with seeds, soil, water, and sunshine. In Grow Happy, Kiko also demonstrates how she cultivates happiness, just like she does in her garden. Using positive psychology and choice theory, this book shows children that they have the tools to nurture their own happiness and live resiliently. Includes a “Note to Parents and Caregivers” with information on how our choices and paying attention to our bodies and feelings affects happiness.

Presents a collection of essays combining anecdotal and theoretical insights into environmental ethics and human ecology to help foster environmentally responsible students.

Offers advice on selecting plants, planning a garden layout, preparing the soil, and planting and tending a garden, and suggests theme gardens and family projects.

A guide to gardening discusses basic techniques; offers instructions for growing such specific crops as beans, blueberries, and sunflowers; and provides recipes that use garden produce.