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dawnmdavison's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
For a book that's blatantly about encouraging kids to eat vegetables, it's quite good!
For a book that's blatantly about encouraging kids to eat vegetables, it's quite good!
librarybonanza's review against another edition
3.0
Age: K-2nd grade
Nature: Gardening
A straight-forward tale about classroom gardens and overcoming food distastes. The reader will need to ask the listener(s) why Sylvia overcame her displeasure with spinach because it is not mentioned in the book. This is perfectly fine, let's just hope the reader does this. I also kinda wish there was more gardening terminology.
Nature: Gardening
A straight-forward tale about classroom gardens and overcoming food distastes. The reader will need to ask the listener(s) why Sylvia overcame her displeasure with spinach because it is not mentioned in the book. This is perfectly fine, let's just hope the reader does this. I also kinda wish there was more gardening terminology.
remkosiak's review against another edition
3.0
Sylvia Spivens always said no to spinach. (I can empathize.) But when he class gardening project lands her with the spinach seeds... she doesn't have a choice! No one will trade seeds with her. She is stuck with spinach.
But when Sylvia's spinach begins to sprout and grow, she stops disliking it so much. Taking care of the plant is fun! Then Sylvia's teacher suggests everyone try eating what they have grown. Will Sylvia try her spinach?
A good book about encouraging new things couched in a great story about growing plants!
But when Sylvia's spinach begins to sprout and grow, she stops disliking it so much. Taking care of the plant is fun! Then Sylvia's teacher suggests everyone try eating what they have grown. Will Sylvia try her spinach?
A good book about encouraging new things couched in a great story about growing plants!
crystalreading's review against another edition
4.0
Review copy: Final copy from publisher
In November, I listened to this article, 'Why These Kids Love Kale' http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/11/14/361740667/why-these-kids-love-kale on NPR. The students love Kale because they have planted, worked in the garden, and prepared their food. When I read Sylvia's Spinach, I couldn't help but think of that article. It seems like an impossibility that students would change their attitudes toward certain foods after such a short time, but it can certainly happen. The book shares Sylvia's journey through the growing season and her changing ideas about spinach. It is certainly focused on a teaching point, but has cheerful, lighthearted illustrations. Primary students learning about seeds or plants would likely relate well to the story. Schools with gardening programs could benefit from having this in the school and classroom libraries - especially in the spring. The author also provides some classroom activity ideas on her website. I'm excited to share this with our gardening co-ordinator and with first grade when they begin to plant their lettuce.
In November, I listened to this article, 'Why These Kids Love Kale' http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/11/14/361740667/why-these-kids-love-kale on NPR. The students love Kale because they have planted, worked in the garden, and prepared their food. When I read Sylvia's Spinach, I couldn't help but think of that article. It seems like an impossibility that students would change their attitudes toward certain foods after such a short time, but it can certainly happen. The book shares Sylvia's journey through the growing season and her changing ideas about spinach. It is certainly focused on a teaching point, but has cheerful, lighthearted illustrations. Primary students learning about seeds or plants would likely relate well to the story. Schools with gardening programs could benefit from having this in the school and classroom libraries - especially in the spring. The author also provides some classroom activity ideas on her website. I'm excited to share this with our gardening co-ordinator and with first grade when they begin to plant their lettuce.
mbrandmaier's review against another edition
3.0
Whaddya know, being actively involved in her own food-growing is just what convinces Sylvia she likes spinach!
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Review copy: Final copy from publisher
In November, I listened to this article, 'Why These Kids Love Kale' http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/11/14/361740667/why-these-kids-love-kale on NPR. The students love Kale because they have planted, worked in the garden, and prepared their food. When I read Sylvia's Spinach, I couldn't help but think of that article. It seems like an impossibility that students would change their attitudes toward certain foods after such a short time, but it can certainly happen. The book shares Sylvia's journey through the growing season and her changing ideas about spinach. It is certainly focused on a teaching point, but has cheerful, lighthearted illustrations. Primary students learning about seeds or plants would likely relate well to the story. Schools with gardening programs could benefit from having this in the school and classroom libraries - especially in the spring. The author also provides some classroom activity ideas on her website. I'm excited to share this with our gardening co-ordinator and with first grade when they begin to plant their lettuce.
In November, I listened to this article, 'Why These Kids Love Kale' http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/11/14/361740667/why-these-kids-love-kale on NPR. The students love Kale because they have planted, worked in the garden, and prepared their food. When I read Sylvia's Spinach, I couldn't help but think of that article. It seems like an impossibility that students would change their attitudes toward certain foods after such a short time, but it can certainly happen. The book shares Sylvia's journey through the growing season and her changing ideas about spinach. It is certainly focused on a teaching point, but has cheerful, lighthearted illustrations. Primary students learning about seeds or plants would likely relate well to the story. Schools with gardening programs could benefit from having this in the school and classroom libraries - especially in the spring. The author also provides some classroom activity ideas on her website. I'm excited to share this with our gardening co-ordinator and with first grade when they begin to plant their lettuce.