One unique aspect of our library is in our book categorization, which is done with homeschoolers in mind. Not only do we fill our library with living books, but we categorize these books in the nonfiction sections of our library even if they are technically fiction. There is so much value in learning through these types of books! 

I came across a great example this week in a sweet book written in 1966 called Cindy’s Snowdrops by Doris Orgel. I will share some of the inside pages so you can see how living books differ from other kinds of books.



Cindy is a little 5 year old girl learning about gardening and specifically perennial plants. Her parents take her to the plant nursery to pick out some bulbs. The children learn right along with Cindy about perennial bulbs. 



A little bit later, it’s time to plant her bulbs! The book describes how hard it is to dig in the ground, but Cindy keeps at it and successfully gets her bulbs into the earth.



But plants don’t grow right away, do they? Cindy has to wait through the winter! The winter brings its own fun things while she waits, though.



Cindy is worried that the cold and snow would stop her delicate flowers from growing. But one spring morning, she finds something very special!



This book captures the hard work and joy that comes with gardening, in a way that will be interesting to younger children. Living books like this keep them engaged and their take aways are so much richer than many non-fiction books about gardening. Books like this make children want to go outside and plant flowers just like Cindy! You’ll find Cindy’s story in the “Nature: Plants” section of our library.