Growing Vegetables is Fun! is another publication from the Magbook range. This one is aimed at parents and educationalists and is designed to be a fun and inspirational companion for kiddies entering the world of growing vegetables.

Characters Danny and Lilly guide youngsters through 144 pages packed with pointers for how to “Sow it, grow it, tend it, harvest it, eat it!” Kids become a garden explorer; help save the planet; and learn all about recycling, nutrients and composting.

“Soil is where your plants get everything they need to live”

The magbook takes readers through the whys, whats and wheres of growing all types of plants - from basil to beetroot. As well as educating on environmental issues and garden wildlife, the magazine aids familiarity through the use of celebs and other comments from school children, along with seed-growing activities that really encourage tots to be green.

Sadia Bultman, an Environmental Student from Camberwell, and her four-year old son Kemar helped us test out this green gardening guide.

“Kem and I have had such fun planting and potting. The Magbook comes with 4 free packets of seeds and is crammed with tips and advice for how to grow almost anything - even indoors. We’ve learnt loads together from just one edition - I’m looking forward to the next!

The garden plan pages, seed diary and scrap book help Kem’s imagination and writing skills, and there’s tons of science. We’ve planted carrots and herbs and he’s talking about starting up his own vegetable patch!”

Growing vegetables is fun! is sure to develop your child’s interest in food and gardening. The style is engaging and really encourages learning and paying attention to what’s going on in the garden, which will help keep your child busy while waiting for those seeds to sprout!

The Magbook covers elements from the National Curriculum and even has a handy glossary at the back. Who knows, it could help to produce a generation that is better informed about eating habits and food production and able to make more sensible, environmentally sound consumer choices.

It’s important to remember that the Magbook is not aimed directly at children, but as a teaching aid and resource for parents it’s ideal and will sustain you throughout the growing process. Overall we give it the thumbs up and say “DIG IN!”

Growing Vegetables is Fun! is available from WH Smith, Morrisons, Tesco, Wyevale, magbooks.com and amazon.co.uk for £5.99.

Review by Helen K Thomas