Cynthia Wylie crafted the 'Bloomers' characters as a way to encourage her own children to eat their vegetables. Drawing inspiration from her childhood spent on a farm, she imbues her work with a deep appreciation for nature. Her stories celebrate the simple joys of the natural world and the profound connections that can be forged with it. Through her writing, Wylie invites readers to discover the wonder and benefits of living in harmony with the environment.
The book offers a vibrant exploration of nature, inspired by the beloved Bloomers Island gardening kits and online experience. With engaging illustrations, it encourages children to develop a passion for gardening and the natural world, making learning about nature fun and accessible. Through playful narratives, young readers are invited to discover the joys of planting and nurturing their own gardens.
Follow young Rosey Posey in a magical, beautifully illustrated story as she attends boarding school on Bloomers Island to learn about gardening and growing her own vegetables. When Professor Sage announces the Very Very Veggie Challenge, Rosey isn’t sure she wants to participate. But encouraged by headmaster Professor Sage and inspired by her favorite color, Rosey decides to grow a perfectly pink radish—in a perfectly pink pot on her perfectly pink windowsill! With patience and curiosity, she discovers just how fun and rewarding gardening can be, and not as hard as she thought! The Bloomers series brings to life the world of gardening and healthy-eating to young children in new and exciting ways.
In Big Red and the Terrible Tomato Hornworms, Professor Sage holds a contest between the young Bloomers where each must choose their favorite vegetable to grow and care for. Here, young readers are introduced to the character of Big Red, who knows exactly what he wants to grow: tomatoes! After all, they are the main ingredient in some of his favorite foods: spaghetti, ketchup, and pizza. But as he starts planting, he discovers that he’ll have to battle hornworms to keep his tomatoes healthy and safe. In the end, he has to use his newfound gardening knowledge and peacemaking skills to work with the hornworms and save his tomatoes. Bloomers Island Garden of Stories picture books take young readers and listeners to Bloomers Island to experience the world of plants, flowers, and gardens through lively stories and lush illustrations.
In Violet and the Eggplant Painting Problem, Professor Sage holds a contest between the young Bloomers, where each must choose their favorite vegetable to grow and care for. Here, young readers are introduced to the character of Violet, a painter who loves purple. So of course she chooses to grow eggplants, and decides to make paintings of them to track their progress. But she runs into a problem—there’s no more purple paint! Violet quickly learns that she can gather blackberries to make her own purple paint, and she is able to paint her vegetables after all. Bloomers Island Garden of Stories picture books take young readers and listeners to Bloomers Island to experience the world of plants, flowers, and gardens through lively stories and lush illustrations.