We Are the Gardeners (Hardcover) - by Joanna Gaines and Julianna Swaney

About the Book

Joanna and the kids chronicle the adventures of starting their own family garden. From failed endeavors, obstacles (bunnies that eat everything!), and lessons learned, the Gaines family shares how they grew a happy, successful garden. As it turns out, trying something new isn't always easy, but the hardest work often yields the greatest reward.

Book Synopsis

Teach children that the greatest rewards come from patience, hard work, and learning from mistakes!

In the #1 New York Times bestseller We Are the Gardeners, Joanna Gaines and the kids chronicle the adventures of starting their own family garden. From their failed endeavors, obstacles to overcome (bunnies that eat everything), and all of the knowledge they gain along the way, the Gaines family shares how they learned to grow a happy, successful garden.

We Are the Gardeners is a whimsical picture book perfect for:

• Ages 4-8
• Parents, libraries, classroom story times, and discussions focusing on springtime and gardening
• Households that enjoy watching HGTV's Fixer Upper
• Young children and families interested in gardening and plants

After reading, children will learn:

• Trying something new isn't always easy, but the hardest work often yields the greatest reward
• The basic steps and process of starting a garden
• The importance of patience and how it is possible to learn from your mistakes

You and your children will learn all about the Gaines family's story of becoming gardeners in Joanna's first children's book--starting with the first little fern Chip bought for Jo. Over the years, the family's love for gardening has blossomed into what is now a beautiful, bustling garden.

Review Quotes

Plants and flowers may grow with abandon in nature, but gardening is no easy task. In this book about learning from failure, one family discovers what it takes to care for many kinds of plants. Four children want to see a small potted fern grow; they water it, give it plenty of sun, and even talk to it. Before long, however, the fern perishes owing to its less than ideal conditions. The children turn to the library and read as much as they can about what ferns need to thrive. They try again with a second fern, and they do much better, adding more plants until their garden grows so vast that it needs to be moved outside. Readers will learn a great deal about gardens, from seeds to pollinators to soil dwellers. Even when it is hard or when things do not go as the children would like, they persevere in the face of adversity. Pastel-colored images evoke spring, bringing the garden to vibrant life. VERDICT Elementary school students learning about gardens and the importance of persistence will enjoy this story.--School Library Journal Online

The trials, tribulations, and joys of gardening are brought to light in this entertaining tale of one family's introduction to caring for indoor plants and using that know-how in a garden, from Joanna Gaines of HGTV's Fixer Upper fame. Beginning with a fern that dies after being over-loved and over-watered, four children and their parents study up on what plants require: light, water, and a bit of conversation. Once they feel ready, the family works together to design a fruit, vegetable, and flower garden. As the plot takes shape, the family gains knowledge about seeds, garden critters--both good (worms and ladybugs) and bad (aphids)--and pollinators, including hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Though the family has some trouble with animals eating their produce, they remember that 'every failure or setback teaches us something.' Delicately detailed and engaging illustrations deftly follow the garden's progress. Packed with useful information in an easy-to-understand format, this will help children, and their adults, who wish to venture into the world of growing some of their own food and flowers.--Booklist