Review by Stephanie Bowen

Web posted on: Friday, July 10, 1998 4:11:25 PM EDT

(CNN) -- Do you have children who have a lot of energy and like to do things with their hands? Well, this book might help steer them in a positive direction!

"This is Your Garden" introduces kids to the very basics of gardening -- getting the seeds, planting them in the ground, watering them and taking care of them. There are a lot of gaps to be filled in, though, and parents should be prepared to explain what tools they'll need, what kinds of seeds they should get and how much work is really involved.

Author Maggie Smith does a good job of encouraging kids to look at their garden as more than just plants. She conveys that the garden is a living thing with plants that needs encouragement and attention. But of course she doesn't forget to mention important ingredients like sunshine and rain.

Her vibrant illustrations fill the book and not only provide lots of color, but educate the young gardener about the many varieties of flowers. There are pictures of petunias and poppies, cosmos and coneflowers, delphiniums and impatiens.

The book is simply written so that a child could read it on their own, but again -- be prepared for what's to come!

Stephanie Bowen has worked for CNN for over seven years in Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Los Angeles. She is currently exploring the world of creative writing at UCLA and participates in a monthly book group.