The Jumbo Book of Gardening (Kids Can Press Jumbo Books)
This information-packed book has something for everyone, child or adult. Sections cover general information; fruit, vegetable, and flower gardens; noninvasive native plants; gardens that attract wildlife; and group projects. Projects range from a few annuals in a container and thickets designed with native wildlife in mind to community gardens. Directions are clear, with plenty of diagrams and illustrations featuring a multicultural roundup of children, as well as youngsters in wheelchairs. The sketches are meticulously executed, but they are colored only in shades of gray and green; kids find out that a flower is a brilliant red, but they can't see the real color. Appended material includes lists of plants for various regions of North America. Gardening organizations are mentioned in the text, though there is no comprehensive list of addresses or Web sites, and there is no bibliography. Such imperfections are minor, however, considering the years of pleasure gardeners will gather from these pages.Catherine AndronikCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved