It’s the first day of spring and we spent the beautiful day selling books for the “Village Green” event at the University Village in Seattle.

Ciscoe Morris reminded us to get the family out in the garden again and plant. (Oh, and, weed too!)

Simply the best gardening book for kids is Roots, Shoots Buckets, and Boots by Sharon Lovejoy. Perfect for home and school gardens, Lovejoy’s voice is inviting and her activities are inspiring.

Says my good friend Rick Swann, an elementary school librarian, “While there are practical gardening tips, my favorite chapters are about creating theme gardens that kids can practically move into and live in (and will want to): a garden of giants, the flowery maze, the moon garden, the sunflower house, the snacking and sipping garden, and the pizza garden to name a few.”

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My list of stars is short: twenty old-fashioned favorites that are more than pretty faces. They have personality, fragrance, texture, and color—vibrant color. They grow quickly—something kids need in response to their work. And they’re versatile; they can be used as jewelry, toys, clothes, musical instruments, and household utensils.

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