Miguel searches for sunflowers in his community garden in this vibrant exploration of gardening and healthy eating, from the Where in the Garden? series. Miguel is throwing a party at his community garden for all of his friends, and he needs help searching for sunflowers to complete the celebration. What do we know about sunflowers? They’re tall with petals and leaves—and, hold on, is that a sunflower? No, that’s an artichoke. Where, oh, where could those sunflowers be? Can you help Miguel find them in time for his party?
The second title in the “Where in the Garden?” picture book series stars a young Latino boy who visits his community garden with his two dads to explore the fruits and vegetables growing there. Playful text guides young readers to hunt for visual clues and compare and contrast the unique characteristics of sunflowers against apricots, spinach, mushrooms, and other produce that grows in Miguel’s community garden.
In the accompanying video activity, author JaNay Brown-Wood teaches students how to make the delicious and healthy Sunflower Seed Salad recipe from her book, Miguel’s Community Garden. (Source)
Author: JaNay Brown-Wood, PhD
Illustrator: Samara Hardy
Author JaNay Brown-Wood, PhD, is an award-winning children’s author, poet, educator, and scholar. She grew up in Fresno, California, and has always enjoyed creating and telling stories. JaNay has been a performer, preschool teacher, camp counselor, poet, silly-song singer, youth specialist, jellybean eater, and someone who truly cares about future generations. In addition, she has earned degrees in Psychology, Child Development, and a PhD in Education. She currently teaches, conducts research, and lives in Sacramento, California, with her family.
Illustrator Samara Hardy brings this story to life with vivid, cheerful illustrations created from layers of hand painted ink and watercolor texture. She lives in the UK and has won awards for her artwork for greeting cards, stationary, and children’s book.
