PICTURE BOOKS

Benjamin Grows a Garden

by Melanie Florence (text) & illus. by Hawlii Pichette
Kids Can. (Benjamin Outdoors: Bk. 2). Sept. 2025. 40p. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781525303210. PreS-Gr 1
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1–A colorful and simple tale of a Cree family’s garden. Featuring bright and colorful illustrations, the story follows Benjamin and his mother as they plant a garden of delicious vegetables, featuring the three sisters of Indigenous culture: squash, beans, and corn. Every page features Cree vocabulary with a full pronunciation guide at the end of the book. The sprawling garden illustrations are filled with stunning landscapes and vibrant produce. While some pages are full-bleed, others are more spare. Thinks brings a nice balance to the story that is a thoughtful homage to Cree culture, gardening, and community.
VERDICT This touching story of a mother and son planting vegetables for the season would be a great addition to any library’s nature or gardening collection.
Reviewed by Sarah Nashak , Oct 01, 2025

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