Resources for Teachers and Parents

Fun and Educational Activities

Gardening e-books with Edmonton Public Library Card

Scroll down for resources for different grades (how to sign up for a free EPL card).

K-1 (or older)
National Geographic Readers Seed to Plant (eBook) : Rattini, Kristin Baird : Kids will take this magical journey from seed pollination to plant growth, learning about what plants need to thrive and grow with the same careful text, brilliant photographs, and the fun approach National Geographic Readers are known for.

Plants (eBook) : Williams, Kathryn : Introduces plants, how to identify them, where they can be found, and how they benefit humans and animals.

Lola Plants a Garden (eBook) : McQuinn, Anna : How does your garden grow? Book-loving Lola is inspired by a collection of garden poems that she reads with her mommy. She wants to plant her own garden of beautiful flowers, so she and Mommy go to the library to check out books about gardening. They choose their flowers and buy their seeds. They dig and plant.

Thank You, Plants (eBook) : Mitten, Luana K. : Using colorful photos, this book teaches children about the the many uses of plants.

Plant Foods (eBook) : Freeman, Marcia S. : Explores how we use the different parts of a plant

A Seed Is Sleepy (eBook) : Aston, Dianna Hutts : Poetic in voice and elegant in design, the book introduces children to a fascinating array of seed and plant facts, making it a guide that is equally at home being read on a parent's lap as in a classroom reading circle.

The Bad Seed (Streaming Audiobook) : John, Jory : A funny yet touching tale that reminds us of the remarkably transformative power of will, acceptance, and just being you. Perfect for readers young and old, The Bad Seed proves that positive change is possible for each and every one of us.

Silly Stories About Vegetables Books #1-2 (Downloadable Audiobook) : Cook, Paul : Six silly short stories about six different vegetables. The first story is about a stick of rhubarb that meets a hardboiled egg called Egg while trying to cross a cattle grid. In the second story there is a radish that hitches a ride down the street on a skateboard. The third short story focuses on three meadow mushrooms in a clearing and the silly stories that they imagine which includes a hippo that goes to school. The fourth short story is about a sprig of parsley that runs away from a factory, ends up on a fishing boat and narrowly escapes being eaten in a sandwich. The fifth short story is about a carrot that finds itself being used as a nose for a snowman before falling into a drain. The final story is about a turnip that causes havoc in the village by rolling down the street, through the park, into the church and bakers. The stories are written and narrated by British author Paul Cook; author of the 'Pete the Bee Stories'.

The Vegetables We Eat (read Along) (Streaming Video) : Who knew there were so many different kinds of vegetables? Nonfiction pro Gail Gibbons responds to the need for books on good nutrition with this accessible exploration of vegetables. From glossy red peppers to lush, leafy greens to plump orange pumpkins, vegetables are explored in depth in these fascinating illustrations that clearly explain the many vegetable varieties, how they are grown, and why they are so good for us to eat. Using her signature combination of clear and informative wording, with plenty of diagrams and cross sections, Gibbons provides a wealth of information about produce in its many shapes, colors, and forms.

Grades 2-5
Dig, Plant, Feast! (eBook) : Picou, Lin : In this fluent reader a class works together to grow a vegetable garden.

Flavors From Plants (eBook) : Gillis, Jennifer Blizin : Describes various plants that are used as flavoring for foods.

Hurray for Plants (eBook) : Gillis, Jennifer Blizin : All about plants: what they are, who needs them, and how they make food.

Plant Adaptations (eBook) : Lundgren, Julie K. : Text promotes children's curiosity while building important science content knowledge. The interaction of text and photos supports and engages readers as they learn about the wonderful world around them. This book focuses on how plants adapt to their environment.

What Plant Is This? (eBook) : Freeman, Marcia S. : Easy text describes the parts of a plant. Gives reasons to know plants and encourages children to go out and get to know their local plants.

Seeds, Bees, and Pollen (eBook) : Lundgren, Julie K. : Intermediate readers discover the different ways plants reproduce.

Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie (eBook) : Esbaum, Jill : Discusses how pumpkins grow, the different varieties of pumpkins, and the many ways people use them.

Pedro's Fables Plants, Pets, and Birds (Streaming Audiobook) : Sacristán, Pedro Pablo : More funny children stories by noted Spanish author Pedro Pablo Sacristan, translated into English, in themes kids love! Perfect for bedtime, car rides, or anywhere you go, Pedro's Fables: Plants, Pets, and Birds is both entertaining and educational. Produced with full music and sound effects, this delightful tale is sure to charm the entire family. Stories include: "The Magic Tree," "The Lazy Little Bird," "Friends from the Vegetable Patch," "Tubby the Pot-Bellied Cat," "The Grumpy Tree," "The Little Stone Bird," "The Carnivorous Plant and the Butcher," "Batbird," "Peggy's Talking Pets," "The Tree and the Vegetables," "A Pessimistic Dog," "The Poor Bunny's Magic Present," and "A Strange Bird Shop."

Grade 4 Science - Plant Growth and Changes
Hungry Plants (eBook) : Batten, Mary : This book offers readers a bug's-eye view into the strange and fascinating world of carnivorous plants. From the jaws of the Venus flytrap to the pretty sundew plant whose delicate tentacles entrap its prey, the unique anatomy and behaviors of meat-eating plants are detailed with clear, engaging text and art.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Plants Out of Place (eBook) : Farrell, Courtney : Learn about the destructive effect non-native plants can have on an environment.

Food From the Sun - How Plants Live and Grow (eBook) : Brown, Harriet : Discusses photosynthesis, how plants use water and soil, how things move inside a plant, how plants reproduce, seeds, survival in tough situations, and the effect of global warming on plants.

Grade 4-9
Plant & Fungi Life (eBook) : Sheehan, Thomas F. : Explains plants and fungi and the differences and similarities between them.

The Wildlife-friendly Vegetable Gardener - How to Grow Food in Harmony With Nature (eBook) : Hartung, Tammi : This one-of-a-kind book shows you how to create a peaceful co-existence between your vegetable garden and the wildlife who consider it part of their habitat. By understanding and working with the surrounding environment ' instead of continually fighting it ' you'll reap a larger harvest with much less stress and effort.

The Story of Seeds: From Mendel's Garden to Your Plate, and How There's More of Less to Eat Around the World (eBook) : Castaldo, Nancy : Something as small as a seed can have a worldwide impact. Did you know there are top-secret seed vaults hidden throughout the world? And once a seed disappears, that's it—it's gone forever? With the growth of genetically modified foods, the use of many seeds is dwindling—of 80,000 edible plants, only about 150 are being cultivated. With a global cast of men and women, scientists and laypeople, and photographic documentation, Nancy Castaldo chronicles where our food comes from, and more importantly, where it is going as she digs deeper into the importance of seeds in our world. This empowering book also calls young adult readers to action with suggestions as to how they can preserve the variety of one of our most valuable food sources through simple everyday actions. Readers of Michael Pollen will enjoy the depth and fascinatingly intricate social economy of seeds.

The Lotus Seed (eBook) : Garland, Sherry : When she is forced to leave Vietnam, a young girl brings a lotus seed with her to America in remembrance of her homeland. Exquisite artwork fuses with a compelling narrative—a concise endnote places the story effectively within a historical context—to produce a moving and polished offering.—Publishers Weekly