A gaggle of toddlers engages in playful hands-on learning in the garden. Conversational question-and-answer text gently encourages exploration as the toddlers plant peas in the soil and wait patiently for them to grow. Fortunately, there are plenty of other things to explore in the meantime. “How do you make mud? Dig a path for the water to go. Make a river. Flood it! Mix, mix, mix. Mmmmm! Mud!” The toddlers greet critters like the titular worm (“Gently, very gently”) and bees (“Look but don’t poke … Listen but don’t grab”) and build a stick structure to support the growing pea sprouts. (It doubles as a play hut.) When enough time has passed, the children learn how to recognize a ripe strawberry, how to pull a carrot, and how to pop open a peapod to reach the tasty peas inside. Two Afterwords—one “for kids” and one “for grown-ups”—provide additional guidance on how to garden with (or as) a toddler. Silkscreen illustrations show a racially diverse group of toddlers, including one who uses canes and wears leg braces.   (Ages 1-4)

Say "hello" to worms, dirt, peas, and more in this gentle how-to guide for connecting with nature.

* Winner of the EZRA JACK KEATS WRITER AWARD
* An ALA Notable Children’s Book
* A CLEL Bell Award Winner

The beautiful simplicity of a garden is depicted through digital woodcut illustrations and engaging nonfiction text presented as a series of sweet questions and gentle replies. Less of a traditional how-to and more of a how-to-appreciate, this soothingly sparse text paints an inviting and accessible picture of what a garden offers. And with an all-child cast, the absence of an adult presence empowers readers to view the garden and its creatures through their own eyes, driven by curiosity and wonder.

This delightful book embodies the magic of gardening and encourages all readers, from those who LOVE the outdoors to those with hesitation, to interact with nature at their own, comfortable pace.