Children’s gardening books are usually written by adults, but that’s not the case with Gardening with Emma, written by Emma Biggs, a 13-year-old gardener in Toronto.
I met Emma several years ago at a Seedy Saturday, where her dad, Steven Biggs, a gardener and author, was a guest speaker. Throughout the day, Emma sold her dad’s books, talked about plants, even answered gardening questions. Given her genes, it’s no surprise that Emma found a way to share her passion for growing by writing a book of her own with some editorial help from her dad. “When I was little, I made books by stapling together my garden drawings, and I made signs for Dad when he gave gardening talks or had a table at gardening events,” she writes in the book’s introduction.
The book’s projects are enticing — flower stands instead of lemonade stands, homemade bug vacuums, sunflower houses, giant vegetables, forts made from straw bales. The practical advice on growing food is written in kid-friendly language and covers all the basics. Tomatoes are Emma’s forte: so far, she’s grown 130 varieties. Pretty impressive.
The plentiful photos, colourful illustrations and helpful lists make for an engaging book. I’m sure adults will learn a thing or two, too.
This is the perfect book for anyone hoping their children or grandchildren (ages 8 to 12) will join them in the garden. “Our job as gardeners is simple,” Emma tells her young readers. “Have fun in the garden while we figure out the best way to help our plants grow.” Wise words from a young gardener. Congratulations, Emma.
Winner of a copy of Gardening With Emma
Congratulations to Rita H. of Wiseton, Saskatchewan, who wins a copy of Emma’s new book. Her entry was randomly selected from 359 entries received by Feb. 15, 2019. A copy of the book will be sent by Thomas Allen & Sons who represent Storey Publishing in Canada. Read about how we make a random selection. View past prizes.
Margie Ballesteros says
February 6, 2019 at 10:15 pmAwesome idea a gardening book for the young crowd great work
Sandra Mattina says
February 6, 2019 at 3:56 pmCongratulations Emma Biggs on sharing.your passion for gardening! We are a gardening family…myself ,my husband,our 8 yr old,and even our shihtzu helps dig the soil! We will definitely buy a copy of your book, we are just across the lake from you in Grimsby. So we have similar growing conditions, which is helpful when choosing which plants to grow. Did you know there is a very famous artist also named Emma Biggs? I know you will love what she creates! Thankyou!!!!
Bill Buzwah says
February 6, 2019 at 12:43 pmEmma.. Nice work glad to hear that young people are not afraid of work. Hope your book reaches out to other young people to get out and try gardening
Cathie says
February 6, 2019 at 10:42 amWould make a great addition to my grandkids library. The girls are 2 and 4 and are just moving in to their first house with a vegetable garden. They love roaming in my garden and picking things to eat. My daughter is excited to give them a little garden of their own to grow and learn.
Penny Tracy says
February 6, 2019 at 8:48 amI belong to Trenton Hortical Society and we a now trying different projects to get young adults to participate in workshops in our club. At our Home Show we have a table for children to make a grass head. Hope all goes well and the word spread.
heather says
February 6, 2019 at 7:47 amIf I don’t win a copy, how do I order one for my granddaughter?
Thanks
Eve Danilkewich says
February 6, 2019 at 6:16 amLooks great
Ana Giacomel says
February 6, 2019 at 12:34 amLove that kids are involved in growing veggies !!!
Cathy says
February 5, 2019 at 7:11 pmMy 3 year old grandson, Myles, has helped me with the gardening the last 2 years , pushing the peas and bean seeds etc , into the ground ( but mainly picking and eating all the vegetables when they’re just big enough to eat!) Even if I don’t win the book, I may have to buy it anyway as he calls me “Emma”
(Grandma) so it would be pretty meaningful!!
valerie says
February 5, 2019 at 6:50 pmI have a little niece named Emma. She can hardly wait till summer to help and pick some flowers in my garden. I would love to give her a copy of this book.
Michelle says
February 4, 2019 at 3:50 pmi love this! by kids for kids. 😀
i hope growing plants can become something EVERYONE does everyday.
Dee says
February 4, 2019 at 9:43 amI love your mission to get kids into the garden. I have covered most of my front yard and plant to grow veggies and flowers and get the kids in the neighborhood involved or at least curious. Don’t know quite what that is going to entail but looking forward to the process and the result…