2026 Kids Summer Reading: GROW!

Olivia
Olivia

These delightful books are all about plants, from nonfiction guidebooks about gardening to heartfelt stories about family. As summer approaches, it’s a great time to discover the joy of growing plants! 

Jun 4, 2026

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If you need help using our Digital Media tools to access these selections, visit our Online Resources Support page.

If you’re looking for more book suggestions, we’re happy to recommend them to you! Use this Book Recommendation form to send us some information about what you like to read and we’ll curate a list just for you.

If you have any additional questions, you can call us at 412-622-3114 or email us at info@carnegielibrary.org. You can find additional ways to contact us on the Need Help? page.

In the Catalog

All That Grows

All That Grows

Jack Wong

On their neighborhood walks together, a boy’s older sister answers his many questions about plants.

From the Catalog

Everyone Starts Small

Everyone Starts Small

Liz Garton Scanlon & Dominique Ramsey

Sun and grass, water and tree, fire and rain–nature’s cycle of creation unfolds in a compelling lyrical text and striking illustrations.

From the Catalog

From Plant to Plate

From Plant to Plate

Darryl Gadzekpo & Ella Phillips

Teaches young readers the basics of growing their own food whether you have a huge garden or just kitchen window, accompanied by 25 easy-to-follow recipes.

From the Catalog

Growing Green

Growing Green

A First Book of Gardening

Daniela Sosa

From strawberries in galoshes to herbs in recycled tin cans, this easy-to-follow gardening book contains fifteen simple (and delicious!) projects for budding young gardeners.

From the Catalog

How to Talk to your Succulent

How to Talk to your Succulent

Zoe Persico

Adara feels lost without her mother–she’s in a new school, in a new town, with no friends and a dad who’s impossible to talk to. And why did he bring so many of Mom’s houseplants across the country?

From the Catalog

From Libby

Let It Grow

Let It Grow

Mary Ann Fraser & Riley Samels

A young boy has a pumpkin seed. A very small pumpkin seed. A very small but special pumpkin seed. And what will become of this very small but special seed? He’ll only find out if he lets it grow…and grow…and grow!

From the Catalog

My Pollinator Garden

My Pollinator Garden

How I Plant for Bees, Butterflies, Beetles, and More

Jordan Zwetchkenbaum

This book explores the animals and plants in a pollinator garden, how they need each other to survive, and how you can help them.

From the Catalog

Planting Hope

Planting Hope

Frederick Joseph & Paul Kellam

A child discovers a secret ingredient for nurturing plants–and for helping ailing loved ones, too–in this tender story…celebrating the power of hope.

From the Catalog

Prunella

Prunella

Beth Ferry & Claire Keane

Born with a purple thumb instead of a green one like her parents, Prunella cultivates a poisonous garden to keep people away until a curious weed of a different sort pops up, forcing her to decide between uprooting this tentative new friendship or allowing it to blossom.

From the Catalog

See Marcus Grow

See Marcus Grow

Marcus Bridgewater & Reggie Brown

A grandmother passes down her love and respect for nature to her young grandson while they have fun working together in her garden.

From the Catalog

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower Seeds

Ellen Heck

How do tiny seeds become towering sunflowers? Join Ms. B’s class and discover the magic of nature in Sunflower Seeds.

From the Catalog