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In Our Garden
From the New York Times bestselling author of Be Kind comes an uplifting classroom tale about students who create a vegetable garden on their school's rooftop.
Millie has recently moved to a new city, from a place more than an ocean away. More than anything she misses the garden where her family used to grow food. Then one day she has an idea—the school has a fine flat roof, perfect for a garden. Soon her teacher and classmates are on board, but it takes more than ideas to build a garden. It takes supplies and hard work; it takes a lot of learning; and it takes a whole school—a whole community—coming together to help. And of course, it also takes a lot of waiting. But as Millie's teacher Miss Mirales says, “Be patient. Good things take time.”
From building the beds and planting the seeds to the first glorious harvest, here's the story of a garden—and a girl—in bloom, and what it takes for a new place to finally feel like home.
Millie has recently moved to a new city, from a place more than an ocean away. More than anything she misses the garden where her family used to grow food. Then one day she has an idea—the school has a fine flat roof, perfect for a garden. Soon her teacher and classmates are on board, but it takes more than ideas to build a garden. It takes supplies and hard work; it takes a lot of learning; and it takes a whole school—a whole community—coming together to help. And of course, it also takes a lot of waiting. But as Millie's teacher Miss Mirales says, “Be patient. Good things take time.”
From building the beds and planting the seeds to the first glorious harvest, here's the story of a garden—and a girl—in bloom, and what it takes for a new place to finally feel like home.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published March 15, 2022
About the author
Pat Zietlow Miller
30 books253 followersPat Zietlow Miller knew she wanted to be a writer ever since her seventh-grade English teacher read her paper about square-dancing skirts out loud in class and said: “This is the first time anything a student has written has given me chills.” (Thanks, Mrs. Mueller! You rock!)
Pat started out as a newspaper reporter and wrote about everything from dartball and deer-hunting to diets and decoupage. Then, she joined an insurance company and edited its newsletter and magazine.
Now, she writes insurance information by day and children’s books by night. She has 11 picture books available and 12 more that will be coming out in the next few years.
Her books in print are: SOPHIE’S SQUASH, WHEREVER YOU GO, SHARING THE BREAD, THE QUICKEST KID IN CLARKSVILLE, SOPHIE'S SQUASH GO TO SCHOOL, WIDE-AWAKE BEAR, LORETTA'S GIFT, BE KIND, REMARKABLY YOU, MY BROTHER THE DUCK and WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE.
Pat has one wonderful husband, two delightful daughters and two pampered cats. She doesn’t watch much TV, but she does love "Chopped." Pat lives in Madison, Wisconsin.
Pat started out as a newspaper reporter and wrote about everything from dartball and deer-hunting to diets and decoupage. Then, she joined an insurance company and edited its newsletter and magazine.
Now, she writes insurance information by day and children’s books by night. She has 11 picture books available and 12 more that will be coming out in the next few years.
Her books in print are: SOPHIE’S SQUASH, WHEREVER YOU GO, SHARING THE BREAD, THE QUICKEST KID IN CLARKSVILLE, SOPHIE'S SQUASH GO TO SCHOOL, WIDE-AWAKE BEAR, LORETTA'S GIFT, BE KIND, REMARKABLY YOU, MY BROTHER THE DUCK and WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE.
Pat has one wonderful husband, two delightful daughters and two pampered cats. She doesn’t watch much TV, but she does love "Chopped." Pat lives in Madison, Wisconsin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 13, 2024
Read for my toddler's bedtime. The story followed this little girl. She lives in an apartment. She looks out the window, all around are gloomy and gray. Then she thought about an idea. She wanted a rooftop garden. She went to school and pitched an idea in the class. Everyone in the class including the teacher started planning. A great story and illustrations!
Thank you Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for the gifted copy to read and review.
Thank you Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for the gifted copy to read and review.
April 30, 2024
Very sweet story about a young one who misses home and decides to enlist the help of her friends at school to plant a rooftop garde.
March 12, 2024
A little girl, homesick for the garden she left behind, convinces her classmates, teacher and principal that it would be a great idea to plant one on the roof of their school. The community comes together to plant, tend and harvest resulting in new unity, less homesickness, baskets of vegetables and plenty of beautiful plants that will keep producing all of those things. Wonderful book to use on Earth Day, during units on plants, or to demonstrate traits like cooperation, determination and sharing.
Thanks for providing my grandchildren with this book, Dolly’s Imagination Library.
Thanks for providing my grandchildren with this book, Dolly’s Imagination Library.
April 19, 2026
A girl with a vision turns her new home in the city into a rooftop garden at her school and along the way creates community, friendship and food. Delightful. Sunny illustrations by Melissa Crowton.
April 12, 2022
felt immediately connected to Millie, the first person, present tense narrator of IN OUR GARDEN, a celebratory, instructive picture book written by Pat Zietlow Miller, with illustrations by Melissa Crowton.
Millie is a girl transplanted from the home she knows and loves. She's surrounded by concrete-- steps, sidewalks, buildings. She sees (and feels) gray, dull, hard. Mom calls it HOMESICK.
Millie longed for the tender, bright, uplifting color of her home. Then she has an idea, a bouncy idea, an idea that her classmates can't see.
They see what is. Millie sees what could be!
Millie's idea is inspired by her previous life in a tall gray building with a garden on the roof. Her roof now isn't the right kind, but her SCHOOL ROOF seems perfect. And her mission is launched: first with her naysaying classmates, then with her teachers, and eventually with the community. Of course, there's the unstated but joyful involvement of Nature, every step of the way. Lessons in science, math, and safety are needed to make this project possible and successful. Lessons were learned involving patience. (Lots of patience- no sign of grass sprouts after ten days, but I know what Millie knows: something IS happening. Out of sight! It makes dreamers like Millie bounce and believe. I'm right there with her.) Over time, a neglected, barren roof in a gray world under a gray sky is peopled with colorful new folks, old friends, soft and fragrant produce, and the buzz of life!
Same sky, same sidewalk, new Millie!
Millie is a girl transplanted from the home she knows and loves. She's surrounded by concrete-- steps, sidewalks, buildings. She sees (and feels) gray, dull, hard. Mom calls it HOMESICK.
Millie longed for the tender, bright, uplifting color of her home. Then she has an idea, a bouncy idea, an idea that her classmates can't see.
They see what is. Millie sees what could be!
Millie's idea is inspired by her previous life in a tall gray building with a garden on the roof. Her roof now isn't the right kind, but her SCHOOL ROOF seems perfect. And her mission is launched: first with her naysaying classmates, then with her teachers, and eventually with the community. Of course, there's the unstated but joyful involvement of Nature, every step of the way. Lessons in science, math, and safety are needed to make this project possible and successful. Lessons were learned involving patience. (Lots of patience- no sign of grass sprouts after ten days, but I know what Millie knows: something IS happening. Out of sight! It makes dreamers like Millie bounce and believe. I'm right there with her.) Over time, a neglected, barren roof in a gray world under a gray sky is peopled with colorful new folks, old friends, soft and fragrant produce, and the buzz of life!
Same sky, same sidewalk, new Millie!
July 16, 2022
Perhaps a bit young for middle school, but I taught that age, our school had a garden & every classroom was responsible for several things. I think they would like to read this picture book. My class was in charge of the worm bin!
In Pat Zietlow Miller's book, young girl Millie is sad and homesick for her old home, which had a garden full of color, overshadowing the gray everywhere she sees now. She's moved to the city and her apartment roof isn't quite the design for a garden, but her school (with a flat roof) is! She wants that beautiful color back in her life, so begins the task to convince her schoolmates and her teachers, and the principal that a roof garden would be perfect. And she does! Principal Blinson says "gardens bring people together". And it does! Melissa Crowton gathers many colors together to help Millie (and Zietlow Miller) tell this story from the beginning journey to the end. I know other schools have gardens or wish they had one. This will inspire those wishing to get going, with a garden!
In Pat Zietlow Miller's book, young girl Millie is sad and homesick for her old home, which had a garden full of color, overshadowing the gray everywhere she sees now. She's moved to the city and her apartment roof isn't quite the design for a garden, but her school (with a flat roof) is! She wants that beautiful color back in her life, so begins the task to convince her schoolmates and her teachers, and the principal that a roof garden would be perfect. And she does! Principal Blinson says "gardens bring people together". And it does! Melissa Crowton gathers many colors together to help Millie (and Zietlow Miller) tell this story from the beginning journey to the end. I know other schools have gardens or wish they had one. This will inspire those wishing to get going, with a garden!
September 30, 2022
"In Our Garden" is a poetic picture book about a child, who envisions a rooftop garden and, with the help of friends, makes it a reality. The book begins on a gray day, and the main character is homesick for the country that once was home. Then the child, Millie, gets an idea to bring the vibrancy of her old land into her new home: "My idea is soft. And bright. My idea is green and orange and red and white. My idea is a garden." Millie boldly advocates for her vision among classmates and to her teacher. At last, her idea sprouts and everyone contributes - supplies amass, and they measure and build. In sweet, colorful vignettes, the community teams up, putting in the work as they work on patience, until at last... a sprout. With persistent and a childlike heart, "In Our Garden" conveys the journey to bounty, showing that while gardens don't change the bones of a community, somehow "everything's different - everything's better."
April 14, 2025
In Our Garden is a heartwarming picture book that follows Millie, a young girl who, after moving to a bustling city, longs for a rooftop garden she left behind. Determined to recreate that sense of home, Millie proposes transforming their schools rooftop into a vegetable garden. Despite intial skepticism, her classmates, teacher, and the broader community come together, investing time and effort to bring the garden to life. Through this collaborative endeavor, Millie and her peers learn about patience, teamwork, and the rewarding process of nurturing life from seed to harvest. Melissa Crowtons vibrant mixed media illustration complement the narrative, capruting the joy and fulfillment derived from their shared project. I will definitely be using this book for my next lesson talking about sunlight!
July 10, 2025
This is a lovely book. The illustrations are wonderful. They’re beautiful and full of details. They’re a solid 5 stars for me. The story follows mostly one girl who misses her roof garden at her old home, but it’s also about her classmates and her teacher AND the garden they make. This a fine book for those interested in immigrants, finding creative solutions, gardening, and (yes!) vegetables. I’m not sure it will win over those who are not fans of eating vegetables but they’ll probably enjoy the book anyway. If this book is used as a springboard for them to garden themselves then it might convince them. Foods we grow ourselves always seem to taste better, especially true when food prep is a shared activity. I would have loved to have this sort of thing as a project at school and/or home when I was young and am gratified to see that more and more schools and shared community areas participate in food gardening. 4-1/2 stars
May 1, 2022
If you love gardens, know someone who just moved to a new place, or just needs a bit of sun and hope, you'll want to share this book by Pat Zietlow Miller and Melissa Crowton!
This would make a wonderful spring read aloud with elementary-aged students. I know several elementary schools that have planted gardens, and this would be a wonderful read aloud to get the planning (and planting!) started.
I also love how Melissa Crowton used newspaper in the illustrations (collage?).
This would make a wonderful spring read aloud with elementary-aged students. I know several elementary schools that have planted gardens, and this would be a wonderful read aloud to get the planning (and planting!) started.
I also love how Melissa Crowton used newspaper in the illustrations (collage?).
May 2, 2022
I work in a pretty rural area that has a school garden, but I still think my students will relate to this tale of a child who had a garden in her last apartment building and seeks to bring that aspect of home to her new school. Millie's new building does not have the right kind of roof for a garden but she misses the taste of a real carrot, and speaks up until her new school community agrees that a garden will bring them together and be worth the work.
May 3, 2022
Yet another gem from Pat Zietlow Miller! The illustrations by Melissa Crowton are absolutely perfect!
Fun to read aloud with an encouraging and uplifting message.
Millie is homesick. But then Millie comes up with a great idea to grow a rooftop garden at school and the teacher agrees. She and the class change the community with some soil, some seeds, some sunshine, and a lot of brightly colored, tasty vegetables. Now, I'm hungry!
Thank you for writing and illustrating this book.
Fun to read aloud with an encouraging and uplifting message.
Millie is homesick. But then Millie comes up with a great idea to grow a rooftop garden at school and the teacher agrees. She and the class change the community with some soil, some seeds, some sunshine, and a lot of brightly colored, tasty vegetables. Now, I'm hungry!
Thank you for writing and illustrating this book.
April 2, 2022
What a beautiful book! The illustrations are so sweet and the story is a delight. It follows a young girl who is new to the neighborhood and wants to grow a garden on the school’s roof! With help from her teacher and classmates, they successfully build a garden and a community!
April 7, 2022
A neighborhood garden that Millie imagines on the rooftop of the school. Neighbors share the produce and come together as a community. The teachers and principal and children work to create and wait for it to grow. The neighborhood benefits and Millie thinks it reminds her of her home far away.
June 29, 2022
This was such a cute book about a class that starts a garden on the roof of their school. I really loved the that they learned how plants worked, teamwork and how to be patient to see the garden grow. The art is super cute and colorful.
July 1, 2022
Adorable book about a little girl who moves to the big city and find it dull and gray. She comes up with an idea to create a garden, but where? She brings the idea to school and her teacher and principle help her made her garden dream a reality on their school roof! Garden bring people together!
October 23, 2022
Beautiful story about missing home, having a dream, enlisting allies, figuring out logistics, making mistakes, and making it happen. Kids need to see and read authentic, positive problem solving stories with sweet diverse characters. <3
May 23, 2023
One little girl is far from her home in a new home. She misses home and her rooftop garden. In school, she suggests that grow a real garden. The class works together and they are successful at gardening. Highly recommended.
August 22, 2024
The creative art with added printed page pieces compelled me to investigate further on finer details.
A community garden sung color and joy to the school students.
The main character missed her old home, learning to be patient with her new surroundings.
Good things sprouted with time.
A community garden sung color and joy to the school students.
The main character missed her old home, learning to be patient with her new surroundings.
Good things sprouted with time.
October 25, 2024
This book follows a student who creates a garden on top of their school. Throughout the book, the student talks about how they miss their old home and garden.
This book can help students who are feeling homesick after they move somewhere else (either home or country).
This book can help students who are feeling homesick after they move somewhere else (either home or country).
November 2, 2025
I have always wanted to grow something with my students, so this could be a great introduction to planting a seed and watching it grow! I love this because it shows that good things take time and waiting for our seeds to sprout can be fun!
August 23, 2021
This one will be great for the new storytime at the botanical gardens that we're starting soon!
*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss.
*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss.
Want to Read
August 30, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
March 17, 2022
Extra points for including a character that looks like me. Love Miss Mirales. That page of her reading to a chaotic group of littles!!?? I feel seen!
March 22, 2022
Fine as urban garden books go. There are just SOOOO many of them that this one feels unnecessary.
March 26, 2022
Love the idea of a rooftop garden and how as a class and a community they were able to accomplish something that is seemingly impossible.
April 22, 2022
Millie inspires her class to build a rooftop garden.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 23, 2022The story is fine, but the art is fabulous! There are so many details to look at on each page. The mixed mediums added so much texture to the book.
April 24, 2022
Loved it! Cute spring book about creating a vegetable garden
May 6, 2022
Gardening, school, immigrant experience, homesick, diverse, city, community
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews