Inch by Inch: The Garden Song

by David Mallett, Ora Eitan (Illustrator)

Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make this garden grow! Celebrate Earth Day with this sweet and lively picture book version of the popular song. Includes the musical notations on the final spread, so you can play along on guitar or piano if you’d like. A young gardener and a playful dog plant the seeds and weed, water, and protect their plants—until finally, they get to enjoy their harvest! Children will enjoy singing along while they're introduced to the basics of gardening and where fruit and vegetables come from.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Music, Storytime, Nature, Poetry, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

David Mallett was an American singer-songwriter best known for his authorship of the "folk standard" composition "Garden Song". He recorded for independent record labels for most of his career.

Reviews

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A children's read aloud/sing along book. Love this song & the book puts it together with some delightful illustrations.

[April Helms · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom found this book for me. I have always been fond of this song since I learned it in grade school, and this picture book, with it's simple and colorful illustrations, is quite charming. The illustrations fit in with the lyrics of this song, popularized by John Denver. The illustrations feel lighthearted and whimsical, almost abstract in their simplicity. For those who do not know this song, the music score is included in the back page. I can see a parent singing this song as he or she turned the pages.

[Mama Bibliosoph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A determined little gardener plants, waters, and protects their seeds until they grow and a bounty of fruits and vegetables is ready to be harvested.

If this gentle American folk song wasn't part of your childhood, take a quick listen to John Denver singing it on The Muppet Show in 1979 (you can find it on YouTube), and prepare to fall in love.

Ora Eitan's impressionist watercolors are pretty, but could use a lot more excitement for kids with low arousal. (You have to bring the energy yourself as a singer.) Still, the art is pleasing to the eye and not too hard to decode (as some impressionist art can be) with its white framing.

The tempo and lulling nature of this sweet song make it a perfect lullaby. Also, if you happen to play the guitar or piano, there is sheet music in the inside back cover.

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I review books for children from the perspective of a parent of kids with autism. The review above is part of a longer post on books about singalong books: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/40-sin...

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Mallett is a Maine singer/songwriter. "Inch by Inch" is not written by David Mallett, but has been performed by him (among many other performers over the years). The illustrations, by Ora Eitan, are simply colored and have a muted/watery quality to them. Each time I read this book, I hear David Mallett's version of "Inch by Inch" in my head. His low and slow voice. Rhythmic and rocking in nature. This book would be a good addition to a pre-school classroom, as it touches upon both music and text in it's approach to the song.

[Alexi Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

1) No awards
2) Prek-1
3) This book celebrates the earth and all the beauties within. It recreates the famous song and follows a gardener who protects all the plants and seeds. It is a playful book that can be read or sung.
4) As I wrote this, I was singing this in my head. I learned this in my younger preschool days and loved singing it for earth day. It is a great way to teach kids about the earth around them
5) After reading/singing his book, kids can go out and do something good for the earth. This could be planting small flowers, a class tree, or picking up trash around the school.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance, the illustrations seemed somewhat naive and oversimplified but upon several repeat readings I came to really appreciate their graphic quality and sense of design. My 2 year old requested this book multiple times a day. It could only be read in singing form of course!

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read as it used repetition and rhyming but was confusing as some things rhymed and others did not. Liked how it was about creating a garden which is something different. Pretty pictures and drawings.

[Lee Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the song first!

[Edith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 and 1/2

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the song, happy to see there is a cute picture book to go along with it.

[Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Library Book

[Lindsey Duncan]

This book tells about a garden in a fun way. It can be read or sung. I think this would be great for students to learn about nature and gardens.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of our favorite songs to sing together, always lovely to have illustrated versions of folk songs and nursery rhymes. Not completely fond of the illustrations, though the toddler has no problem with them and still picks this one from the pile to read at bedtime repeatedly.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Came across this while browsing the shelves. I was flooded with memories from 7th Grade Choir and singing "Inch by Inch." Our lyrics were exactly the same (though our arrangement didn't sing the last verse). And when I looked at the song printed in the back, the tune was almost exactly the same. I love it when songs are similar like that.

The book was fine, and I enjoyed seeing the garden growing. But honestly the appeal of this book were the memories of how awesome our version was, how amazing our 7 males sang out their part loud and strong, and Kiki and myself with our little inch worm sign. Oh my. I miss the 7th Grade Choir days. We were awesome!

[Libby]

As a song book, Inch by Inch: The Garden Song enables children to practice reading along with a caregiver, talking and singing. The content of the story increases vocabulary because it introduces the child to new words and concepts. The concept of garden, plants, season, and growing to name a few can be discussed through talking, further developing a child’s narrative skills. As a child reads along with the caregiver and follows the text with their eyes, the child is working to develop and enhance their letter knowledge skill. Because children 4-5 years old are fascinated with nature, this book is appropriate for this age level and is book that they can grow with.

[Latrece Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am using this book for our preschool graduation this year. David Mallett's story of hard work and growing your own way in this world is shown as pleasurable and rewarding. The repetition of the phrase 'inch by inch/row by row/gonna make this garden grow' in the book is a reassuring affirmation. This is a sure favorite to read and reread with children and adults alike.

[Jamie Tedesco · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a story poem that kind of taught the concept of planting flowers. Although it was told well I don't like that it implied that the plants needed to be "blessed" in order I grow. I think that implies religion within a children's text and unless that is what is being used in a religious organization it should not be used in a schools library or in a classroom.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet and quiet rhyming story about planting a garden. The illustrations are colorful and engaging. It's slightly longer and better suited to older preschoolers and school-aged children who will have a longer attention span. A couple references to blessings and prayers.

[Graywaren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little garden book. I can't read it without hearing Peter, Paul, & Mary singing it in my head. It's nice that it includes the sheet music in the back. If you enjoy folk songs and books you'll enjoy this little picture book.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny was introduced to this song in Kim's music class and once we read (sang) it at school he hummed the tune for the rest of the day.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny was introduced to this song in Kim's music class and once we read (sang) it at school he hummed the tune for the rest of the day.

[Ladonna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that the pictures are great. The story did not interest me very much.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read at Drop-In Story Time on 4/5/13: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[CFAITC]

This classic folk song celebrates nature in all its bounty with expressive illustrations in picture book format along with the music needed to play or sing this song with instruments and voices.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know the song at all, but I enjoyed the book. I liked the illustrations and the rhythm and rhyme.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to an old familiar song that I had forgotten

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daddy read these for Alissa's bedtime stories. They had a ball.