The Bookworm: How to Grow a School Garden and Molly's Organic Farm

The Bookworm reading the best and weeding the rest

A REVIEW BY LEEANNA TATUM OF HOW TO GROW A SCHOOL GARDEN BY ARDEN BUCKLIN-SPORER AND RACHEL KATHLEEN PRINGLE

This how-to book provides a lot of information for parents and teachers who might be interested in starting a school garden.

With lots of references and practical guides, this book is a useful resource from planning to pitching, fundraising to scheduling and site selection to student achievement. The authors did a good job of breaking down what could otherwise be an overwhelming amount of information.

The division into chapters and sections with lots of illustrations, photos, graphs and informational boxes helps to lead readers through the many steps needed for a successful venture. A practical guide backed by lots of real-world experience, this book could be a valuable tool for starting and maintaining a school garden.

REVIEW BY LEEANNA TATUM OF MOLLY’S ORGANIC FARM BY CAROL L. MALNOR AND TRINA L. HUNNER

Molly’s Organic Farm is a children’s book geared for ages four to ten which not only tells the story of a stray cat named Molly but also teaches some of the basics about organic growing methods.

The book tells the true story of Molly who found her way onto an urban organic farm and made friends with everyone who worked there. Beautifully illustrated with watercolors, the authors take children through the farm via Molly’s senses as she sees, hears, feels, smells and tastes the experiences of life amongst the plants.

The book also offers learning opportunities and further resources for teaching children about how plants grow and the synergistic relationship between all living things. Publishing company Dawn Publications

connects children with nature. Their website provides downloadable activities and teaching aids to help parents and teachers encourage children to connect with the earth and have respect for it.