Growing Together

Ruth Spiro is the bestselling author of over thirty children’s books, including Love Grows, the bestselling Baby Loves Science series, How to Explain Coding to a Grown-Up, and Made by Maxine. Her books have been praised by the Los Angeles Times, NPR, TODAY, Popular Science, and the National Science Teaching Association. Ruth speaks regularly at schools and early childhood conferences across the country. She lives in suburban Chicago, Illinois, with her husband, two daughters, and many, many plants! ruthspiro.comPaola Escobar is a graphic designer and illustrator from Colombia. As a child, she loved drawing the stories told by her grandmother, and it was her dream to become an illustrator for children’s books. Today, she is the illustrator of the award-winning Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré as well as many other critically acclaimed picture books. She is proud to have illustrated stories that celebrate cultural diversity and champion unsung heroes. Paola lives in Bogotá, Colombia, with her husband and their dog, Flora.

Spiro’s text rhymes with a bouncy beat. Little garden lovers will enjoy the variety in Escobar’s illustrations. Characters vary widely in terms of age, gender, skin tone, and ability, creating a welcoming community, diverse in people and plants, where everyone’s efforts are valued. Consider this tale a fun springtime read-aloud for older toddlers or preschoolers to kickstart discussions about gardens, the plants we eat, and the importance of working together as a team. A sunny celebration of community, teamwork, and cooperative gardening along with its delectable rewards. — KirkusGardening feels like a party in Escobar’s bountiful digital drawings. Figures, depicted with various abilities and skin tones, are consistently all smiles as they literally dance amid the garden’s abundance—a picture of plenty that vibes well with Spiro’s peppy lines. — Publishers WeeklyThis warm and inviting picture book reimagines gardening not as a solitary pastime but as a joyful act of community. Told in gentle, upbeat rhyming text [with] vibrant illustrations [that] burst with color and detail. This book celebrates togetherness, curiosity, and the simple magic of growing things with others. — BooklistAn exceptional portrayal of a community’s commitment to nurturing their garden and one another. — School Library JournalGrowing Together is a thoroughly charming picture book celebration of community, teamwork, and gardening by the team of author/storyteller Ruth Spiro and artist/illustrator Paola Escobar. Of special note is the final page listing the plants featured in this thoroughly 'kid friendly' story. Of special interest to young readers with an interest in gardening and a community participation, "Growing Together" is a welcome and prized addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Gardening themed picture book collections for children ages 4-8. — Midwest Book Review