Do you want to know a couple of things I love almost as much as reading and writing? Baking bread and gardening. I’m pretty decent at making bread. I’m not super great at gardening. But I love doing both with my children. My three-year-old loves to bake and garden too.
She isn’t the most graceful in the kitchen. Flour, sugar and eggs tend to end up on the floor in her exuberance. And she has “weeded” more than one onion, but she is so excited to help and I want to nurture that enthusiasm. If you want to foster the same love in your children—don’t worry, there’s still plenty of growing season left—here are a few stories you can read with them for inspiration.
The first two books are all about bread. Rising by Sidura Ludwig and illustrated by Sophia Vincent Guy (Candlewick Press, 2024) celebrates the art of waiting and resting by showcasing a young Jewish family making challah as they prepare for Shabbat. This sweet story is actually a story within a story, because while the words focus on the making of bread, the lovely illustrations show the family waiting for something completely different: a new baby. And, in case you want to try challah after reading all about how yummy it is, Ludwig included her challah recipe in the back of the book. For ages 3 to 7.
The other book about bread is a bit more sticky than sweet. The Bread Pet by Kate Depalma and illustrated by Nelleke Verhoeff (Barefoot Books, 2020) follows along as chaos unfolds in Cora’s home after her Uncle J.B. asks her to take care of his sourdough starter. She’s a bit apprehensive about this gooey, germy thing, but she agrees. At first things are going well. She feeds the bread pet twice a day just like Uncle J.B. said. But then it starts to grow and they need to split the bread pet into two jars, then four jars, then eight jars, at which point Cora and her family have to admit things are out of control. This funny story is an absolute delight to read. I love the heart-warming solution Cora comes up with for her problem. For ages 3 to 7.
The next three books are all about growing plants. The first one Gardening with Emma: Grow and Have Fun by Emma Biggs with help from her father Steven Biggs and illustrated by Rob Hodgson (Storey Publishing, 2019) is a how-to book instead of a story. In this “kid-to-kid” guide, Emma talks all about how you and your children can grow vegetables, like tomatoes, in a large garden or a small pot. The vibrant pages and photographs are an absolute delight to look at. And, if you’re worried about your garden being eaten by bugs, Emma also has a guide on good and bad bugs. For ages 9 to 12.
Mister Derwood, one of the main characters in No Nibbling! by Beth Ferry and illustrated by A. N. Kang (Roaring Brook Press, 2022), understands your concern about pests. Because this grumpy goat is trying to grow a garden, but he has to watch out for weeds and insects and little rabbits named Tabitha. Not that Tabitha is there to nibble his garden. She’s simply there because her mother sent her “out for a morning stalk.” However, she can’t stay because her mother also told her she’d “butter bean home soon.” As you might have guessed, this funny little tale is sprinkled with vegetable words throughout as Tabitha dreams of nibbling a carrot or beet under Mister Derwood’s watchful eyes. For ages 3 to 7.
The final book is Avocado Magic by Taltal Levi (NorthSouth Books, 2024). In this story little Ellie is super upset because even though they celebrated her birthday under the avocado tree the night before, she still can’t touch the ground when she sits on her chair. To cheer her up, her dad lets her in on a little secret. She is “like an avocado seed: small but full of magic.” Before Ellie can see the magic bloom, she has to be patient, because avocado seeds take time to grow. For ages 3 to 7.
I know gardening and baking can both seem intimidating, but if you wish to try growing your own food—whether it’s from flour, seeds or scraps—I hope these five books bring a smile to your face and courage to your heart. Enjoy!
