Plant a Seed, Read! | Summer Reading 2026

A few books about gardens, gardening, and (of course) gnomes that tie into this year's summer reading theme.

Updated March 25, 2026
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Oregon City Public Library
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Gardening lab for kids : 52 fun experiments to learn, grow, harvest, make, play, and enjoy your garden
Brown, Renata Fossen.
Paper Book
A refreshing source of ideas to help your children learn to grow their own patch of earth, Gardening Lab for Kids encourages children to get outside and enjoy nature. This fun and creative book features 52 plant-related activities set into weekly lessons, beginning with learning to read...

Children's Nonfiction (Grades 2-4)

Box tales. Grow, strawberries, grow!
Burks, James
Paper Book
"Fun, expressive, informative, and imaginative! I want a box full of these books!" --Ben Clanton, New York Times bestselling author of the Narwhal and Jelly A trilogy of fun, charming, and how-to stories following the curious and spunky Beatrix and Box-With a Bonus...

Bridging Graphic Novel (Grades 2-4)

Mister Fairy
Cadier, Morgane de
Paper Book
Mister Fairy is not like other fairies; try as he might, he has not yet found his own special talent. In fact, all the animals laugh when he tries to copy what the other fairies do. So, Mister Fairy travels far from his forest home to another place where, almost by accident, he discovers and shares...

Picture Book (PreK-2)

Snow White and the 77 dwarfs
Calì, Davide
Paper Book
Snow White is on the run from an evil witch when she comes across some dwarfs in the forest. They agree to take her in and keep her safe if she will help them with their chores. She soon realises she's taking on a lot more than she bargained for. 77 breakfasts to make, 77 lunches to pack, 77 pairs...

Picture Book (PreK-2)

Poppy & Sam and the leaf thief
Cathon
Paper Book
A duo of strawberry-sized sleuths cracks a case in this cute and lively picture book with graphic novel touches -- the first in the Poppy & Sam series. It's a beautiful day in the garden when Poppy and her panda friend, Sam, hear a commotion. Their friend Basil--who has always been...

Bridging Graphic Novel (Grades 2-4)

Diary of a worm
Cronin, Doreen.
Paper Book
#1 New York Times Bestseller! This hilarious picture book from the bestselling, acclaimed author-illustrator team of Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss tells the adventures of a worm through his daily diary entries. This is the diary of a worm. This worm lives...

Picture Book (PreK-2)

Planting a rainbow
Ehlert, Lois.
Paper Book
In this perennial classic by Caldecott Honor-winning author Lois Ehlert, little ones learn the colors of the rainbow as they watch a plants grow in a beautifully vibrant garden. Through brilliant, textured cut paper collages, the story follows the progress of a mother and daughter in their...

Picture Book (PreK-2)

Benjamin grows a garden
Florence, Melanie
Paper Book
Benjamin loves springtime. The grass grows bright green, the birds sing sweet songs and, best of all, Benjamin and his mother start their garden. In just the right order, they plant mahtamin (corn), pimiciwacis (beans), and osawipak (squash) for Three Sisters Soup. They plant strawberries to serve...

Picture Book (PreK-2)

Monarch butterfly
Gibbons, Gail.
Paper Book
Introduce young readers to the fascinating process of how catepillars become butterflies. Follow the transformation from a tiny white egg laid on a leaf to a brilliantly colored butterfly in this kid-friendly introduction to metamorphosis.  With detailed, bright watercolors,...

Children's Nonfiction (PreK-2)

My garden
Henkes, Kevin.
Paper Book
How does your garden grow? This wondrous New York Times bestselling picture book from Caldecott medalist Kevin Henkes celebrates imagination, a child's first burst of independence, and the promise of warmer weather. "This intimate exploration of a child's burgeoning...

Picture Book (PreK-2)

Stepping stones
Knisley, Lucy
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * The first book in an acclaimed graphic novel series inspired by the author's own childhood tells an amazing story of unlikely friends, sisters, and home. "This candid, heartwarming look at a child grappling with major changes will resonate with fans of...

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)

Frog and Toad together
Lobel, Arnold
Ebook

Early Readers (Grades K-2)

Millie Fleur's poison garden
Mandin, Christy
Paper Book
  A delightfully peculiar story about finding joy in being wonderfully weird. Garden Glen is a very bland place. Every house and every garden looks exactly like the other. That is, until Millie Fleur La Fae comes to town. Up on a scruffy hill, beside a ramschackle...

Picture Book (PreK-2)

Hope is a hop
Moore, Katrina
Paper Book
Just in time for Easter, a moving exploration of hope, from its resilient roots to its sprouting-and surprising!-possibilities. When Eva's hopes for a cheerful flower garden are dashed by a rascally-and hungry! -rabbit, she sinks into despair. But it's from this new vantage point...

Picture Book (PreK-2)

If you plant a seed
Nelson, Kadir
Paper Book
The bestselling book about the power of one kind act from Caldecott Medal and Coretta Scott King Award winner Kadir Nelson is now an adorable board book. "Timeless and delectable."--School Library Journal If you plant a carrot seed . . . a carrot will grow. If you plant a...

Picture Book (PreK-2)

How to say hello to a worm : a first guide to outside
Percival, Kari
Paper Book
Say "hello" to worms, dirt, peas, and more in this gentle how-to guide for connecting with nature. * Winner of the EZRA JACK KEATS WRITER AWARD * An ALA Notable Children's Book * A CLEL Bell Award Winner The beautiful simplicity of a...

Picture Book (PreK-2)

The hidden world of gnomes
Soloy, Lauren
Paper Book
A delightful introduction and collection of facts about the secret lives of gnomes that will charm and fascinate readers of all ages. This book is an introduction to the hidden folk called gnomes, who live in a happy place they call The Pocket. Where is The Pocket, you ask? ...

Picture Book (PreK-2)

Forest magic for kids : how to find fairies, make a secret fort, and cook up an elfin picnic
Spikol, Susie
Paper Book
Your enchanted guide to 50+ magical activities for everything from finding hidden flower fairies in your own backyard and making a special wizard staff to creating a tiny woodland village and making your own forest potions. Come discover the wild magic tucked into the...

Children's Nonfiction (Grades K-3)

Little Witch Hazel : a year in the forest
Wahl, Phoebe
Paper Book
An earthy and beautiful collection of four stories that celebrate the seasons, nature, and life, from award-winning author-illustrator Phoebe Wahl. Little Witch Hazel is a tiny witch who lives in the forest, helping creatures big and small. She's a midwife, an intrepid explorer,...

Picture Book (PreK-2)


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