MARCH BOOKLIST
Children + Nature + Gardening = Health

“Children have a natural affinity towards nature. Dirt, water, plants, and small animals attract and hold children’s attention for hours, days, even a lifetime.”  Theodore Roszak                                           

“Children in today’s world are being adversely affected by their diminishing connection with the natural world.” Child Care Information Exchange

March is a wonderful month to get children out of doors…running, jumping, skipping, and feeling the earth beneath them and the wind in their faces! It is a good month to read to children about the natural world. March’s Book List focuses on plants and gardening.  After reading these stories, you can invite your children to help plant a new spring garden!

Ages 0-4

Grow Flower, Grow! By Lisa Bruce
What makes a flower grow? First, young Fran tries feeding her seeds, spaghetti, pizza, and ice cream. When these strategies do not work, Fran gives up and throws the flowerpot outside. There it gets rain and sunshine, and Fran gets a lovely flower!

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
Illustrated with bright, bold pictures, this book shows young readers the steps, seeds, plants, and tools necessary for growing a vegetable garden. Just the thing to make a big pot of vegetable soup! (Soup recipe included.)

The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
This classic story tells the tale of a patient little boy, a carrot seed, and the wonderful surprises in store for those who wait.

Flower Garden by Eve Bunting
This Caldecott Medal winner tells the story of a little girl’s mounting excitement as she and her father make a window-box garden for her mother’s birthday. 

Ages 4-8

Jamberry by Bruce Degen
A little boy and a boisterous bear hunt for all kinds of berries in this enchanting rhyming book.

Plant Works by Rhonda Howie
Through interesting photographs, illustrations, and diagrams, children will learn about plants- what they are, how they grow, how they adapt to the environment, and how their lives interact with ours.

The Reason for a Flower by Ruth Heller
With vibrant illustrations and rhyming text, the author explains the different parts of a flower, pollination, and growth.

Are Trees Alive? by Debbie S. Miller
A conversation between mother and daughter leads to a wonderful discovery about how trees grow and change. Readers will learn how trees take in nutrients, grow, and survive changes in their environment. This lovely picture book includes facts about trees from all over the world.

The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
This book depicts the adventures of a tiny seed carried all over the world by the wind. When it finally lands in fertile soil, its life cycle begins.

Ages 9-12

The Life and Times of the Peanut by Charles Micucci
This is one of a series of nature books by this author in which information is presented to readers through captioned watercolor sketches, cutaway views, and detailed explanations.

From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons
Detailed, colorful pictures and simple language bring readers through all the stages of a plants life cycle.

Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees for Kids by Gail Gibbons
Everything there is to know about trees-from acorn to oak, from root to fruit-is presented with lively illustrations and easy to understand facts.

World of Plants by Laura Howell
The life of a plant is described here with clear explanations and beautiful photographs. The book includes web sites which relate to the subject in a fun and informative way.