It's Our Garden: From Seeds to Harvest in a School Garden

The documentary-style narrative and uplifting photos put the joy of kinship, outdoor work, and growing food within reach of readers.

This fun and inspiring season-by-season description of a school gardening project could encourage others to repeat this extraordinary experience.

The clearly written text works seamlessly with the two kinds of color illustrations: Ancona’s many effective photos record the garden experience over the course of the growing season, while the children’s drawings (in crayon or marker) offer a fresh counterpoint to his engaging photos. An inviting introduction to school gardens.

With the growing interest in school gardens, this is a timely book. Listed resources, both books and websites, give more information. The full-color photographs are well-done, and illustrations drawn by students add further interest and visual appeal.

Like these children and adults working in harmony with the earth’s resources, Ancona’s words and visuals exist in a beautiful balance.