I think this book focused too much on the parent reading and not enough on the fact that a child would be a part of the equation. I expected something that a child could read and connect with, but instead found a book that is more my own speed and too advanced for my child, whom I would be gardening with.

Most gardeners are out gardening. Not Journaling (unless you count quick jots about the crops and during the winter when we are planning layouts).

This was a really great book to introduce my son to the world of gardening. We used this last year when we started our own garden and had him and his sister help with it.

As a keen gardener and working with educators I was excited by this book. Unfortunately it did not live up to my expectations. It is trying to do to much but none of what the blurb suggests. I’m not sure who this is for? A beginner adult gardener perhaps. There is a lot of visualising and journaling ideas on offer but wouldn’t you want your reader to be out gardening? I’m really confused by this book. There is a plethora of information but also a whole lot of waffle. Not suitable for children at all but would probably make good compost if you found it not useful...the illustrations are nice.

*eARC provided by the publisher and Netgalley

Perhaps I didn't read the description carefully enough, but this is not what I expected to read. As the parent of an enthusiastic seven-year-old gardener, I was hoping it would be something the two of us could enjoy together. The book is definitely text-heavy, with several pages without pictures. I would recommend this to an older gardener, over twelve at least, who wanted to do some heavy reading on gardening, or to an adult who wanted a more accessible guide to begin gardening. Overall, a nice book, but not what I hoped for in terms of using to garden with children.

Not quite what I would expect for a book dealing with gardening with children; I found it very wordy and not quite as simple as one would think for children planting with a parent. Only my opinion.

I think this would be a good book for a novice gardener, but I don't think a more seasoned gardener would get much from this book.

Hmmm. I expected to like this little book a bit more than I actually did. I am an avid self-taught gardener and my children love gardening too, especially when they have their own gardens. This book aims to teach adults (parents or teachers) how to start gardens with children and it gives quite a lot of information, but not the type that I'd actually find the most helpful like what the best first plants would be, what plants are good for what climates, what's good for a fall garden, how to train beans and peas to climb, etc.

It is a very wordy book, and it reminded me of when I do a web search for a recipe and end up on a blog where the author tells you a long story about the history of the recipe and goes on about the benefits of black garlic, and you just want to get to the recipe. That's how I felt with this book. There was so much talking that didn't really provide a lot of help. It would have benefited so much from photos or at least more relevant illustrations. For instance, she talks about keyhole gardens (which I love) but doesn't have a drawing of one. Later, there is a sketch of a simple keyhole plan (curved lines with an entry) but that's not the same at all as seeing how fantastic keyhole gardens actually look, especially for someone not familiar with them. Likewise, she gives instructions on making a teepee garden but leaves out tons of important information like preparing the soil underneath, what to plant (she mentions nasturtiums and green beans but nothing else and no specifics), removing grass so the seeds stand a chance, showing a picture, anything. I wouldn't feel comfortable trying that as a new gardener unless I searched for someone else's more detailed instructions and photos. It is such a long book but didn't ultimately feel as helpful as a short but more instructional book might have been.

There are helpful bits and the journal prompts are a nice touch. It is a nice resource but I feel that it could have been a bit better.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

The Little Gardener is a tutorial and philosophy guide aimed at resource/teachers/families for facilitating a love of gardening in young people by allowing them to experience gardening and to a lesser degree journaling and expression. Due out 10th March 2020 from Princeton Architectural Press, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

There are very few small kids who don't love planting seeds, digging in dirt, looking at insects & plant life, and generally spending time jumping in puddles and getting muddy. The trick is to get them attached to a lifetime of discovery before they get addicted to strictly indoor computer pursuits. This is the book for resource people (teachers, helpers, parents, extended family) to help them help kids to plan, execute, and enjoy a garden and hopefully build a habit of both experiencing and documenting the process of gardening and interacting with nature.

This book is a well written and accessible tool with concrete and specific exercises which are also *fun*. They're arranged logically in order of process: planning and dreaming, putting the plan into action, support, and fulfillment. Documentation in the form of journaling is encouraged throughout. There is a chapter especially focused on the role of the facilitating adult (teacher, parent, etc) which provides some creative tips for making gardening education both fun and rewarding for learners. There are a lot of good resources for helping educate kids and educating *ourselves* to provide guidance without just taking over.

The book is packed with exercises and sidebar tips which are appealing and practical. The line drawn illustrations are whimsical and fun. There is a good bibliography, links, and tips section, but no index.

Four stars. This would make a good selection for a library or classroom, community garden, youth centre, etc.

I think this book is great for helping children to design their own garden but it would also be useful to anyone who is starting gardening.
I liked how it is organised and the clear explenations.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Thank you NetGalley and Princeton Architectural Press for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.

This little book would be useful to teachers or instructors that are working with children in planning and planting a first garden. It offers suggestions for journaling the process.

The author gives suggestions about books for more in depth reading, geared to adults, and it also gives recommendations for children.

The book takes you step by step in preparing and planting a garden. A gardener with considerable experience would not find a good deal of new information in this book. A teacher without any experience could find it helpful.

This is a fun little gardening book it is fairly in-depth so children will need help but it’s pretty much a given it is meant to be fun bonding time between loved ones. This book will help to get children outdoors in a way that will allow them to better understand nature and the joys of exploring how to take care of something. This can be very exciting for young children as they watch the plant they care for grow and thrive.

With the help of this book, children will find creativity in planning a garden space and learning how to care for it. Hopefully it will instill a love for the outdoors and gardening because it can become a lifetime labor of love that is both relaxing and a valuable skill.

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review and I feel the author is very knowledgeable and does her best to instill a love for gardening her passion shows in the pages. I encourage you to read it and share it with the children in your life.

Children spend a lot of time indoors.  They are in school, they have after school activities and of course, when at home, they may enjoy indoor activities, spending time in front of screens.  This book will help to get children outdoors, a place that they need to be and enjoy with an activity that does not involve competitive sports.

With the help of this book, children will conceive a garden and work on bringing it to fruition.  They will imagine what they want to see, build it and make things grow.  What could be better!

The author of this book cares about the outdoors, children and the growth that takes place in gardens.  Her investment is clear in this book.  She encourages adults and children to imagine a space and see it come to life over time.  She knows that time spent in a garden is time well spent.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this title in exchange for an honest review.