I am thrilled to announce that Sun in My Tummy is one of this year’s recipients of the Growing Good Kids Book Awards from Junior Master Gardener and The American Horticultural Society!
Junior Master Gardener is the international youth gardening program of the university cooperative Extension system created & managed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
JMG engages children in novel, “hands-on” group and individual learning experiences that provide a love of gardening, develop an appreciation for the environment, and cultivate the mind.
JMG also inspires youths to be of service to others through service learning and leadership development projects, and rewards them with certification and recognition.
Children can get involved in exploring their world through meaningful activities that encourage leadership development, personal pride and responsibility, and community involvement. Youth involved in the program develop critical thinking skills, and the ability to identify community concerns and take action to address them through individual group projects.
My collaborator, Andrea Blinick, and I are delighted that our book has been recognized this way.
Other winners this year are:
Rooftop Garden by Danna Smith and Pati Aguilera (Barefoot Books)
I Love Strawberries by Shannon Anderson and Jaclyn Sinquett (Feeding Minds Press)
Maybe You Might by Imogen Foxell and Anna Cunha (Lantana)
The Garden Next Door by Collin Pine and Tiffany Everett (River Horse Books)
To learn more about these books and browse lists of previous winners, take some time to explore the Junior Master Gardener website. There are some amazing resources here for teachers.
Laura Alary 