Growing Good Kids Book Awards

National Awards for Children’s Literature About Gardens and Nature

Best Children’s Books on Gardening, Nature, and the Environment

Created by the American Horticultural Society and the Junior Master Gardener program, the “Growing Good Kids – Excellence in Children’s Literature” awards honor the best new children’s books about gardening and nature.

Each year, these awards recognize children’s books that are especially effective at promoting an understanding of, and appreciation for, gardening, nature, and the environment.

The selection committee includes AHS staff, Junior Master Gardener specialists and coordinators, teachers, youth leaders, and kids.

Interested in submitting a book for consideration for the 2024 Growing Good Kids Book Award?

Please note that nominations for books published in 2023 must be received by May 1, 2024.

Here are the primary requirements for consideration for the annual Growing Good Kids Book Award:

A. The power of the story to:
* engage children
* effectively promote an understanding of and appreciation for gardening and the environment
* convey a positive message effectively

B. The power of the illustration/design to:
* appeal to children
* represent the story effectively
* promote an understanding of and appreciation for gardening and the environment

Please visit this link to learn more about how to submit a book for consideration for the 2024 Growing Good Kids Book Award.

The 2023 winners were announced at the National Children & Youth Garden Symposium . For the first year of the program, garden and ecology-themed books published before 2005 were considered for a one-time “Classics” category.

Click here to view the 2023 Growing Good Kids Book Award winners, those chosen in past years, and the Classics.