In the Garden (Ramsden)

A little girl hears a bird, who is frightened away by some cats fighting. As she searches for her bird, she encounters many other intriguing animals and insects. Then, after sitting down to listen to and enjoy the sounds of nature all around, suddenly her bird comes back! This enchanting exploration of the sights and sounds of the natural world brings in themes of music, mindfulness, and meditation and will be appreciated by adults and children alike. The simple text uses poetry and repetition and will be a joy to re-read many times.

Two children plant a pumpkin seed together and nurture the growing plant through the seasons. The plant flowers and a pumpkin forms, but will it change color and be ripe and ready to harvest for Halloween? The children must be patient and respectful of their plant, but finally they get to enjoy the fruits of their labor at their Halloween party. A rhyming and rhythmical text makes for a great read aloud. This book is part of the In The Garden series, aiming to introduce very young children to the natural world and encourage a love of our environment.

A little boy and girl find a seed. They play with it, but it doesn't grow. Listening to the voice of nature, they learn to plant it in the earth, water it, and watch it sprout, growing bigger though the seasons. They are thrilled when it produces a huge flower, and sad when that flower fades and dies. But it has left them with a shower of new seeds so they can start all over again! Bright and glowing illustrations and a rhyming text describe the life cycle of a plant and the emotions felt by young gardeners.

A boy is playing in the garden when he is startled to find a bee in a box. He chases the bee, but the bee turns the tables by chasing the boy, who then hides in a box. After a while, the boy gets bored. He searches for the bee, and before long, the two are fast friends! This charming story is about making friends, not only with bees but with the natural world in which we live. The beautiful illustrations are teaming with many plants and other insects to discover and befriend.