Sylvia's Spinach

PreS-Gr 2—Sylvia hates spinach. She hates it in lasagna, she hates it in salad, she hates it any way it can be served. Then her teacher announces they will be planting a class garden and each child will be responsible for a different vegetable. Sylvia, of course, gets the packet of spinach seeds. She tries to trade with her classmates but doesn't find any takers. So, she is stuck with the spinach. Dutifully she plants the tiny seeds and cares for them. Finally, the spinach begins to grow and Sylvia is pretty pleased with the results. When the leafy green is finally harvested, Sylvia takes a very reluctant bite only to discover her opinion has changed. This is a lighthearted take on a problem many children face—a loathed vegetable. Nancy Wu nicely captures both Sylvia's hatred of spinach and her joy in watching her tiny seeds grow into mature plants.