MARIA ROCK.COM - Mimi's Garden

MiMi’S GARDEN: iT’S A KiD THiNG! encourages children to explore their world! Many little gardeners’ adventures start in their very own backyards! Kids ask lots of garden questions & MiMi helps them find the answers with handy garden advice.

Here are some great garden questions:

How do roots grow?
Joseph Vevincenzi, Age 8, United States

Why do flowers come in so many different colors?
Holly Everton, Age 4, New Zealand

Why do I find so many spiders in my garden?
Dillon Kraich, Age 9, United States

WHY DO IRIS FLOWERS HAVE 3 PETALS UP AND 3 PETALS DOWN?
A.J. Saxon, Age 8

Bob Annand is known as Mr. Iris. He is my friend who grows hundreds of irises. Iris flowers need 3 PETALS that grow up and 3 PETALS that grow down. The 3 PETALS that go up are called "standards." The 3 PETALS that grow down are called "falls." The standards grow up to protect the stamen in the center of the flower. The falls cover the standard and protect them while the flower bud is growing. When the falls drop below the standard the iris blossoms into a beautiful flower with 3 PETALS up and 3 PETALS down.

MiMi’S GARDEN: iT’S A KiD THiNG!

Do you have a garden question?
Email Mimi at askmimi@mariarock.com

or write her at:
2826 Cory Creek Road
Butte Valley, California 95965

MiMi’S GARDEN: iT’S A KiD THiNG! is a complete garden guide series for children that teaches kids how to make their gardens grow. I have written and illustrated the first of my series. MiMi’S GARDEN: iT’S A KiD THiNG! allows kids to learn about everything from plant identification to using the Care Symbols for taking care of their plants.

MiMi’S GARDEN: iT’S A KiD THiNG! takes kids on an adventure in their very own gardens. MiMi’S GARDEN: iT’S A KiD THiNG! teaches kids just how fun gardening can be. MiMi’S GARDEN: iT’S A KiD THiNG! is a great learning tool for kids of all ages.

MiMi’S GARDEN: iT’S A KiD THiNG!

Published January 1, 2004!

We celebrated the 2004 publishing of MiMi'S GARDEN iT'S A KiD THiNG! My first book signing on February 28th had over 175 guests to meet me and my garden gang. The turnout was delightful sharing my new garden doll display, my illustrations and writing in my first garden book for children.

Quotes about the book:

Susan Campos, Therapist (infant-4 years), Child Haven:
“Our kids have had such impressive interaction with you and your garden activities. MiMi’s GARDEN: It’s a Kid Thing! is really needed teaching and learning English. Since many of our kids are from Spanish speaking homes, MiMi in her garden of flowers and vegetables will be a wonderful ambassador for educating our children.”

Steven Schwartz, M.D. aka "Dr. Opera Attic" on KCHO/NPR affiliate:
“Maria I have attended numerous world famous author book signings in San Francisco but this is the largest crowd I have ever seen. Bravo!”

Michelle Tosch, Store Manager, Target:
“I love your book!”

Judy Vredenburgh, Chief Executive Officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America:
“Your book offers a creative approach for structuring activities between a child and a Big Brother or Big Sister. We know that the more ‘assets’ children have available to them, the more likely they are to grow up healthy and happy. Exposing children to the joys of growing beautiful flowers and vegetables is a very powerful asset-building strategy that I fully support.”

Lesa Franklin, Speech Pathologist, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District:
“I need a copy of this book to work with my elementary level speech students. I love gardening and can bring my garden flowers to use with MiMi’s GARDEN: It’s a Kid Thing! to create a multilevel learning experience.”