Grow It Again

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

In today’s increasingly urbanized world, children likely have limited
access to garden plots; however, as this book reveals, there is no
reason for them not to be growing plants. With a different twist on the
recycling theme, the author shows how the essential “raw”
ingredients for an indoor garden are likely present in most children’s
residences, sometimes in the form of garbage. Her plants come from the
tops of carrots, beets, yams, and pineapples; from the seeds of fruits
such as the common orange and apple or the more exotic papaya, kiwi, and
mango; and from segments of potatoes, garlic cloves, or ginger slices.
For each plant, MacLeod provides clear, step-by-step instructions for
planting, watering, and ongoing care.

But Grow It Again is more than an indoor gardening book for children.
It also includes recipes for carrot-pineapple muffins, sesame seed bars,
baked apples, fruit salad, guacamole, and ginger-almond slices plus
craft ideas for the creation of carton gardens, seed necklaces, pressed
flowers, and decorated pots. As a bonus, MacLeod throws in some
interesting bits of plant trivia as well as some groaner jokes and
riddles. Creative teachers who are interested in integrating science,
mathematics, and art could make good use of Grow It Again, while leaders
of youth groups such as Cubs, Brownies, and Girl Guides could also
utilize the book’s ideas in their programs. Highly recommended.