The beauty of gardens has long been appreciated, making the garden theme attractive to children’s literature. The therapeutic nature of gardening is also well known. In this list, you will find picture books about making the world more beautiful and about gardens that unite communities and heal the soil.
Gardening Picture books – the world as a more beautiful place and community
The Gardener by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David Small
“April showers bring May flowers.”
Written as a series of letters from Lydia to her uncle, parents and grandmother, The Gardener is an uplifting story set during the Great Depression, when Lidia leaves home due to her father’s unemployment and the decline of her mother’s dressmaking business. Carrying packets of seeds, she arrives at her Uncle Jim’s bakery, where Lydia creates a secret rooftop garden, and along with her constant enthusiasm for flowers, she earns the nickname “The Gardener.”
This book stands out not only for its illustrations, which received a Caldecott Honour, but also for its text, which can be used as a model for writing informal letters and for exploring the theme of plants in Years 1 and 2. A perfect choice for reading aloud.
The Secret Sky Garden by Linda Sarah and Fiona Lumbers
A story about how to care better for the environment and friendship.
For more details, read my full review here.
- Buy on: Bookshop UK
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
Bursting with colours, this child-friendly picture book would be enjoyed by Nursery and Reception Class children.
A child and a mother share their experience of planting a garden from bulbs to seeds to seedlings. The readers are introduced to many flowers, some well-known, such as roses and poppies, and others more complicated and less well-known – zinnia and morning glory.
Planting a Rainbow offers a wide range of links to the curriculum when learning about plants and seasons. Young children can explore the cut paper technique and apply it to their own work in Art when making a collage.
Luna Loves Gardening by Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers
Celebrate the community through gardening with Luna and her family
Want more details? Read my review here.
- Buy on: Bookshop UK
KS1 books – gardens that heal your soul
The Garden of Hope by Isabel Otter and Katie Rewse
The therapeutic quality of gardening that helps a little girl find hope after a lost of a significant other.
My full review is here.
- Buy on: Bookshop UK
April’s Garden by Isla McGuckin and Catalina Echeverri
A story about how gardening can give you meaning in difficult times.
Read my full review here.
- Buy on: Bookshop UK
Garden’s KS1 picture books – about family connections
A Journey in Our Family’s Chinese Garden by Li Jian, translated by Yijin Wert
This picture book mainly focuses on the different structures and designs of a Chinese garden, from the covered corridor to the pavilion to the gallery. As the reader explores the spaces, he discovers members of a Chinese family and learns about their activities within the garden.
The book is a valuable resource for drawing pupils’ attention to the differences in garden design between Chinese and Western cultures and for broadening their perspective. It can be useful for children who speak both English and Chinese, as it is written in parallel in the two languages. It is also well-suited for celebrating Cultural Day at school, as it presents aspects of Chinese culture.
Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
A picture book that celebrates strong family connections through the art of gardening.
For further details, read my review.
- Buy on: Bookshop UK
The Bumblebee Garden by Dawn Casey and Stella Lim
Children learn about the importance of bees in our gardens through a conversation between a boy and his grandfather.
Read my full review.
- Buy on: Bookshop UK
Garden’s Picture Book with unusual illustrations
The Garden of Abdul Gasazi by Chris Van Allsburg
Beautiful black and white illustrations from two-time Caldecott winner, Chris Van Allsburg and writer of The Polar Bear Express.
Alan Mitz, a boy, was asked by Miss Hester to look after her dog while she visited relatives. Having the reputation of a mischievous dog, Fritz continues to cause trouble when they enter the garden of the retired magician Abdul Gasazi, who truly dislikes dogs.
A picture book with a larger-than-average-sized story and an unusual layout – one paragraph per page. It is beneficial to focus on sequencing and time expressions. Indirectly lead children aged 5-8 to think that telling the truth is a better option than being afraid of consequences. A book that sparks imagination and leaves the reader with an open ending. It is excellent for primary school displays but not for nursery, as small children might be afraid of the characters’ white and black faces.
