Benjamin Grows a Garden, written by Melanie Florence and illustrated by Hawlii Pichette. Kids Can Press. 2025. $21.99 ages 4 and up

"Benjamin watched the tiny shoots poke out of 
the ground and slowly unfurl their leaves. The 
stalks grew higher and he could almost taste 
the buttery corn on the cob he'd eaten with his
cousins after last year's harvest."

As Benjamin welcomes the warmth of the spring sun, he listens for the birds and sings back to them. The feeders encourage birds to stop and stay. Spring also offers a time for he and his mother to plant their garden. It's a garden that will not only feed his family; its bounty will be offered to others in their community. Benjamin is excited to get started. 

Every seed they plant will grow into vegetables to be used for soup, stews, pies and salads. It's a very busy time. There is hard work ahead, but both are willing to do what is needed to grow a garden to be proud of. As they plant, his mother offers wise advice. Once the seeds are planted, they take the time to water, then watch and wait. 

First, they plant corn. When it grows to a few inches, Benjamin digs around the corn stalks to plant bean seeds. As the beans get started, he carefully sows squash seeds close by. As he plants them, Benjamin is reminded of how good each vegetable from last year's garden tasted when they were harvested. The plants need water and the sun for growth. 

""The beans use the corn to climb," he said. 
"And the squash leaves cover the ground to 
keep it cool and damp. They all help each 
other grow.""

They also tend tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries; all will be shared with others. Those vegetables will make many meals throughout fall and winter. Soon, spring will come again and it will be time to start over once again. 

Melanie Florence makes is clear to her readers that there are many rewards when a garden is planted, tended, and shared with others. I love that they learn the traditional way of planting the Three Sisters (corn, beans, squash) together for maximum benefit. As they talk together while they work, mother and son use Cree words, which are included in a pronunciation guide following the story. 

If you read Benjamin's Thunderstorm, you will recognize the bold colors and outdoor setting in the digital artwork of Hawlii Pichette. This book offers a warm look at the connection between Indigenous culture and nature, and the gift of providing for all.