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the_sassy_bookworm 's review for:
Benjamin Grows a Garden, Volume 2
by Melanie Florence
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Book Review: Benjamin Grows a Garden by Melanie Florence, with illustrations by Hawlii Pichette
Rating: 5 Stars
I absolutely adored Benjamin Grows a Garden by Melanie Florence, with illustrations by Hawlii Pichette — a cozy, joyful picture book that feels like a warm morning spent outside getting your hands in the soil.
At its heart this is a gentle, step-by-step gardening story seen through Benjamin’s eyes. We follow him and his mom from that first spring excitement — when the grass turns green and the birds return — through all the patient, loving work of planting: digging holes, tucking in seeds, and watering. They plant in a thoughtful sequence, sowing mahtâmin (corn), pîmiciwacis (beans), and osawipak (squash) together for Three Sisters Soup, then adding strawberries for bannock and later zucchini, tomatoes and cucumbers. Watching the garden grow across the seasons, Benjamin dreams of the harvest and a big fall feast where there will be more than enough to share with everyone. The book also gently highlights the yearly rhythm of planting, tending, harvesting and starting again — simple, comforting cycles that young readers can really grasp.
What I loved most: the story feels both intimate and communal. Melanie Florence captures the sweetness of teaching and learning across generations, and the idea that growing food is as much about care and patience as it is about the yield. The explanation of how corn, beans and squash support one another is woven in naturally and makes the gardening process feel almost like a friendship between plants. I also appreciated that Cree words are used throughout the story and that there’s a pronunciation guide in back — a thoughtful touch that invites readers to learn and respect language.
Visually, Hawlii Pichette’s art is a dream. The illustrations are bright, warm and full of life; they bring Benjamin’s garden and emotions to vivid color, from the small hopeful sprout to the bustling harvest. The cover alone is charming and perfectly sets the tone for what’s inside.
This book would be a lovely addition to any child’s bookshelf or a classroom library. It’s heartwarming, educational, and rich with lessons about perseverance, kindness and sharing. Highly recommend for families who love nature, community stories, or just a beautiful picture book to read together. Five stars.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 5 Stars
I absolutely adored Benjamin Grows a Garden by Melanie Florence, with illustrations by Hawlii Pichette — a cozy, joyful picture book that feels like a warm morning spent outside getting your hands in the soil.
At its heart this is a gentle, step-by-step gardening story seen through Benjamin’s eyes. We follow him and his mom from that first spring excitement — when the grass turns green and the birds return — through all the patient, loving work of planting: digging holes, tucking in seeds, and watering. They plant in a thoughtful sequence, sowing mahtâmin (corn), pîmiciwacis (beans), and osawipak (squash) together for Three Sisters Soup, then adding strawberries for bannock and later zucchini, tomatoes and cucumbers. Watching the garden grow across the seasons, Benjamin dreams of the harvest and a big fall feast where there will be more than enough to share with everyone. The book also gently highlights the yearly rhythm of planting, tending, harvesting and starting again — simple, comforting cycles that young readers can really grasp.
What I loved most: the story feels both intimate and communal. Melanie Florence captures the sweetness of teaching and learning across generations, and the idea that growing food is as much about care and patience as it is about the yield. The explanation of how corn, beans and squash support one another is woven in naturally and makes the gardening process feel almost like a friendship between plants. I also appreciated that Cree words are used throughout the story and that there’s a pronunciation guide in back — a thoughtful touch that invites readers to learn and respect language.
Visually, Hawlii Pichette’s art is a dream. The illustrations are bright, warm and full of life; they bring Benjamin’s garden and emotions to vivid color, from the small hopeful sprout to the bustling harvest. The cover alone is charming and perfectly sets the tone for what’s inside.
This book would be a lovely addition to any child’s bookshelf or a classroom library. It’s heartwarming, educational, and rich with lessons about perseverance, kindness and sharing. Highly recommend for families who love nature, community stories, or just a beautiful picture book to read together. Five stars.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️