PLANT THE TINY SEED

It’s springtime again, and a new picture book by author-illustrator Christie Matheson is blossoming once more.

Following the success of Tap the Magic Tree (a storytime favorite for all ages!) and Touch the Brightest Star, Plant the Tiny Seed presents a simple interactive story of growing zinnias from seed to flower. As in previous books, readers are invited to tap, clap, wiggle, and rub images to progress the story. Nature is a marvel, and this book beckons to young listeners with the promise that magic is everywhere.

For a complete toddler-friendly gardening experience, check out Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert and Dig In! by Cindy Jenson-Elliott. To explore more interactive app-like picture books for a screen-free audience, look for Get Out of My Bath! by Britta Teckentrup, This Book Just Ate My Dog! by Richard Byrne (previously reviewed here), and books by Herve Tullet.

Ages 2+

DO YOU HAVE A GARDEN?

“I have a garden” a playful dog announces on the first page of the book. And as the reader goes on to discover all the variety of the different animals that the garden has, the pages of the book become filled with more animals and flowers. Showing even more illustrations of lushes flowers and animated animals and insects.  

However, all the flowers and the animals belong to him because the garden is HIS.  But can this be possible?  Beautiful things are to be shared, so how can the dog be convinced that the garden belongs to everyone?  

This particular picture book is so colorful and vibrant that after reading it, I wanted to literally jump inside the pages and smell all the flowers and play with all the animals.   It is a fun and easy book that will even be great for a read aloud.  I Have a Garden by Bob Barner

Pre-k to 1^st grade 

EVERY ROSE HAS ITS BULLY

When all you want is a basketball, and you get a plot of dirt, wouldn't you be annoyed? Jackson Jones is less than thrilled when his mom gives him a garden plot for his birthday instead of a basketball. But Jackson turns lemons into lemonade by planting beautiful flowers he can sell to buy his own basketball. His plans are ruined one day when a mystery blooms smack dab in the middle of his flower bed. Can you figure out who is trying to ruin Jackson's plans before he can? Jackson is funny and smart, and comes up with some great ideas for pleasing his mom, avoiding his six-year-old neighbors, and still getting what he wants in the end. JACKSON JONES AND THE PUDDLE OF THORNS by Mary Quattlebaum is a fun book for 3rd-6th grades.

THE DEADLY MEANING OF FLOWERS

The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets: An Enola Holmes Mystery by Nancy Springer. In this third twisted tale of mystery for 6th - 8th grade readers, Dr. Watson has been kidnapped and committed to an insane asylum under another's name. Enola is on a parallel hunt with her older brother Sherlock to find Dr. Watson before the anonymous bouquet sender kills him. Enola must use all her skills to pull their beloved Dr. Watson from danger.