Gardens and Growing

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

Up We Grow!
A Year in the Life of a Small, Local Farm
   photographed by Brian Harris
   published by Kids Can Press

This book lovingly tells the story of four seasons on a small, sustainable farm. It was researched and photographed over the course of a year on organic farms in British Columbia.

Follow the farmers through the seasons as they plow, plant, compost, mulch, harvest and market their fruits and vegetables. Watch their chickens and goats wander freely over the farmland. Learn how the farmers feed the soil and why bees are the farmers' friends. Most importantly, find out how these farmers are caring for our future and helping us all to grow up strong and healthy!

Watch Me Grow!
A Down-to-Earth Look at Growing Food
in the City
   photographed by Brian Harris
   published by Kids Can Press

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. Watch children care for a community garden. Find out how neighbors share garden plots and produce. Plant herbs and sunflowers and learn how to care for the earth as they grow. Make a pita pizza from your own vegetables. And meet a city chicken, a garden frog and some rooftop bees!

The beautiful photographs were shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, but they are typical of urban gardens in many cities.

To see other nature books, click here.