How Groundhog's Garden Grew [Hardcover]

Lynne Cherry (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Little Groundhog learns how to plant and tend to his own food garden through every season in this beautifully-illustrated, thoroughly researched picture book by naturalist Lynne Cherry.

Little Groundhog, in trouble for stealing from his friends' gardens, is taught by Squirrel to grow his very own. From seed-gathering to planting, harvesting, and eating home-grown fruits and vegetables, children join Little Groundhog in learning about the gardening process. At the end, Little Groundhog invites his animal friends to a Thanksgiving harvest feast.
Beautiful illustrations and thorough research on plants and insects make this sweet story an engrossing read, as well as a great picture-book introduction to how plants grow. Children and schools can follow Groundhog's lessons.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-An entertaining, creative story that's loaded with information. When hungry Little Groundhog tries to eat some vegetables out of Squirrel's garden, kind Squirrel takes him under his proverbial wing and shows him how to plant his own veggies to share with the entire animal community. Cherry intertwines the facts and vocabulary of gardening into a believable plot that will keep children reading, and her illustrations are well planned to combine with the text in an unusual way. Expansive spreads showing the animals tending their plots alternate with smaller, framed art. These smaller pictures are surrounded by clearly labeled pictures of various plants at different stages and other related objects. The detailed art continues on the endpapers, where readers can trace the growing cycle of many vegetables. This charming story teaches children about the interplay among all living things, and the good feeling that comes with community participation and sharing.
Susan Marie Pitard, formerly at Weezie Library for Children, Nantucket Atheneum, MA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 3. Little Groundhog loves eating from the neighbor's vegetable garden--maybe too much. Perhaps it's time he planted his own garden and, fortunately, Squirrel is willing to show him how. The two animals collect seeds, store them, and after winter hibernation and spring thaw, plant and tend them. By summer, Little Groundhog is joyfully harvesting and eating what they sowed. And such a plentiful harvest calls for sharing, bringing a wonderful Thanksgiving feast for all to enjoy. In simple, descriptive language, Cherry, author of The Great Kapok Tree (1990), tells a charming and also informative story about plants, gardening, and environmental respect. Her beautiful, full-color illustrations--realistic and wonderfully detailed--often incorporate spot-art borders of labeled seedlings and plants, highlighting a diverse array of wildlife. In an author's note, Cherry describes her own gardening experiences and suggests a few resources for information. Little Groundhog is an endearing character whose awe in the miracle of growth is irresistible; by the close of the story, he has learned the rewards and joy of gardening, as well as the pleasures of friendship and giving. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Blue Sky Press; 1ST edition (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439323711
• ISBN-13: 978-0439323710
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #207,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Gardening

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great way to get kids interested in gardening, February 21, 2003

By 

Wendy Somerlot Bittel (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Groundhog's Garden Grew (Hardcover)

My three year old and I are planning a garden and this book has been an excellent companion to the process. Cherry does a great job of explaining how to create a garden through this story. In it Squirrel teaches Groundhog how to grow his own vegetables so he has things to eat. Cherry also includes a note to parents at the end that gives website information for more on gardening with children.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A warm picturebook tale of animal friends, July 26, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Groundhog's Garden Grew (Hardcover)

Lynne Cherry's How Groundhogs Garden Grew may require parental assistance but kids with some prior picturebook skills will relish this story of a little groundhog who loves to eat the vegetables in his neighbor's garden. The cycle of a gardening year is told within the structure of a warm picturebook tale of animal friends, and the drawings are especially engaging.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming yet factual, February 1, 2003

By 

Sue (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How Groundhog's Garden Grew (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book, bound to be a classic. Would appeal to any children, but especially those involved in starting a vegetable garden.