Review

As generations of parents can attest, nothing is more irresistible to young children than freshly turned dirt the richer, darker, wetter, the better. There's just something about cool brown earth on a hot summer day that compels little fingers and toes to wiggle beneath and burrow into its mysterious depths. A wonderful way to allow children to engage in this natural tendency, while satisfying their curiosity about how things grow, is gardening. Whether tilling a backyard plot or planting seeds in a small container, gardening is a hands-on way to learn while having fun.

In the interactive picture book Max Loves Sunflowers, Ken Wilson-Max outlines the fundamental steps of planting flowers. The brief text is accompanied by vibrant illustrations, while easy-to-operate tabs and flaps encourage participation by junior gardeners. A peek under the earth reveals a planted seed, the spray from a watering can slides back and forth, and the gradually sprouting sunflower shoot can be extended as it grows.  The center of the book unfolds into a giant blossom, complete with buzzing bee a delightful reward for Max's hard work. His joy is contagious as the story ends with the mature sunflowers dancing in the breeze and Max dancing along.

Narrated by a bright purple pig and told in simple, direct language, Max Loves Sunflowers is an ideal introduction to gardening for toddlers and preschoolers.

Lynn Hoffman is a freelance writer living in Dubuque, Iowa.