Growing Together - by Ruth Spiro (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

"An exceptional portrayal of a community's commitment to nurturing their garden and one another."--School Library Journal

A bountiful celebration of community, teamwork, and gardening from bestselling author Ruth Spiro and award-winning artist Paola Escobar.

A child and a seedling find themselves at home in their local urban community garden. With the help of firefighters, chefs, shopkeepers, and many more members of their community, they grow alongside the flowers, vegetables, friendships, and more all summer long, together.

Perfect for readers of We Are the Gardeners and Dear Girl, young readers and gardeners will also love the backmatter with fun facts about the produce grown in the story.

Come dig in the dirt with your friends and your neighbors!

Review Quotes

Spiro's text rhymes with a bouncy beat. Little garden lovers will enjoy the variety in Escobar's illustrations. Characters vary widely in terms of age, gender, skin tone, and ability, creating a welcoming community, diverse in people and plants, where everyone's efforts are valued. Consider this tale a fun springtime read-aloud for older toddlers or preschoolers to kickstart discussions about gardens, the plants we eat, and the importance of working together as a team. A sunny celebration of community, teamwork, and cooperative gardening along with its delectable rewards. - Kirkus

Gardening feels like a party in Escobar's bountiful digital drawings. Figures, depicted with various abilities and skin tones, are consistently all smiles as they literally dance amid the garden's abundance--a picture of plenty that vibes well with Spiro's peppy lines. - Publishers Weekly

This warm and inviting picture book reimagines gardening not as a solitary pastime but as a
joyful act of community. Told in gentle, upbeat rhyming text [with] vibrant illustrations [that] burst with
color and detail. This book celebrates togetherness, curiosity, and the simple magic of growing things with others. - Booklist

A great rhyming book about all the work that goes into [community gardening]. - The Concord Bridge

This warm, colorful celebration of teamwork shows young readers what can happen when a community comes together. - Toledo Area Parent News

An exceptional portrayal of a community's commitment to nurturing their garden and one another. - School Library Journal

Growing Together is a thoroughly charming picture book celebration of community, teamwork, and gardening by the team of author/storyteller Ruth Spiro and artist/illustrator Paola Escobar. Of special note is the final page listing the plants featured in this thoroughly 'kid friendly' story. Of special interest to young readers with an interest in gardening and a community participation, "Growing Together" is a welcome and prized addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Gardening themed picture book collections for children ages 4-8. - Midwest Book Review