With gorgeous, realistic illustrations, author-illustrator Lynne Cherry takes the reader through the process of starting a garden in the picture book How Groundhog’s Garden Grew (Blue Sky Press, 2003). This time it is a garden planned and planted by Groundhog, with Squirrel’s help.
The garden begins with gathering seeds in fall, and then, after hibernating all winter, awakening to spring. Squirrel teaches concepts such as thinning the plants so they aren’t crowded and allowing birds to eliminate insects. Groundhog also sees the progress of the growing vegetables. In the end Groundhog does not need to steal from the neighbor’s garden any more as he enjoys his own.
With a fun storyline but also realistic and practical tips for actually gardening, How Groundhog’s Garden Grew is a fun addition to a gardening picture book list for young readers. Plus, it features a Groundhog, which is not a common character for general picture books, so it could be a stand-in on February 2 to “celebrate” Groundhogs Day.
