Last week was National Garden Week. Little One and I celebrated by setting up our fairy garden. The weather celebrated by snowing and sleeting. Excuse me, weather, but it is spring according to the calender now. That usually means no more winter weather…. Oh well. The crocuses and daffodils are popping up anyway, so there is that.
I thought it might be fun to do a post on books with gardens in them. I know I am a little late to the party but, better late than never, yeah? In no particular order-
How can you have a post about garden-themed fiction books and not include Beatrix Potter’s works? Her tales are classics. I still read them, and listen to the audiobooks. There is something calm and soothing about them. And the names she gave her animals are absolutely adorable. Jemima Puddleduck, Mrs. Tittlemouse. Just to name two.
Anyone who grew up on fairy stories, I think, will enjoy these. No matter your age, they appeal to our imagination and the wonders of nature around us. And I have to mention the illustrations, they are absolutely beautiful!
Another classic I cannot forget is “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Finding a hidden door in a wall? A key? A secret garden? That is a dream. And for those who enjoy graphic novels, Mariah Marsden did an amazing job recreating the story.
This story holds a precious piece of my heart. This is from my childhood and I still have my worn-out very well-loved copy. Mandy is a young girl who just wants a place to call her own and discovers a small cottage. Two words- shell room. But oh, the garden she plants and tends to, as shown on the cover, is woven into this delightful story. And yes, this is the copy I have and will keep for as long as I am able.
Come play in the garden with Gracie! Join the garden tea party with her sister Sarah, taste tomatoes right off the vine with her crunchy munchy brother Joshua, and plant seeds! But will the seeds grow fast enough or do the young ones have to learn a little bit of patience?
These are just a few books that I myself have read and enjoyed. I hope I have inspired you to step into a garden, literally or through the pages of a book. If you have any recommendations for me I would love to hear about them.
Happy Reading,
Kymberli
Kymberli Briggs 