A HARVEST OF COLOR: Growing a Vegetable Garden

This cheery, oversize volume pairs British horticultural photographer Eclare's vibrant, sunny images with a breezily informative text. Each of five neighborhood children (plus one younger sibling) chooses a different vegetable to plant and also keeps a garden diary replete with snapshots. Their entries comment a bit on their choices ("I love carrots because they are sweet and crunchy. And I can share them with my pet rabbit") but concentrate on the process ("I sprinkled seeds into rows as deep as my thumbnail.... In about ten days little plants that looked like ferns showed through the soil"). A thoughtful page of hints ("Molly's Tips on Measuring a Garden"), one from each child, offers additional practical information. The photos—affording colorful views of small hands, rich soil and the luscious harvest (including a terrific vegetable salad finale)—are particularly inviting as they document each stage of the project. Eclare's streamlined approach caters to fledgling gardeners, and the conceit of adopting the various characters' perspectives works particularly well to instill confidence and enthusiasm. Readers will be scurrying for trowels and seed packets. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)