Linnea is a little girl we meet in several of their books, and in this one we follow her for a year, taking part in all her garden activities. There are 12 chapters in the book, one for each month. And in the first one, January, we meet her feeding the winter birds. We also get to know her best friend, an old man named Blomkvist. We already know both Linnea and Blomkvist quite well, visiting Monet's Garden together with them.(Another book by the same women)

In February Linnea shows us what is happening under the snow during the winter months, in March we can start planting, and then every months comes and goes, each with a new activity.

The paintings are simple, charming and filled with life. Linnea is a girl easy to love, and it is easy to follow her activities following the text and the illustrations. We use this book all year round, and discover old and new treasures every year...


Linnea in love with nature, month by month!   August 14, 2000
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Linnea is delightful and fun and exhuberant. She has energy and zest for life that is wonderfully contagious. Her almanac introduces the calendar year through the exploration of nature. Her happy, enchanting, written voice is a motivator for children like no other. This is a book for learning and loving life and nature --- again and again and again. I never tire of Linnea; her appeal is universal. The only thing that would be better is if she was a real person!


Linnea's Almanac   June 15, 2000
onckens@dgs.k12.il.us (Dwight, Illinois)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

Linnea is a delightful young lady that finds gardening, nature and life in general interesting and waiting to be explored. She takes the reader young and old alike on a wonderful exploration of nature each month. Her story telling puts the reader in the mood to try the activities she discribes, while providing information and facts for use in the future. The illustrations put the reader into the story and show the finished product of the monthly activity.

I use Linnea's Almanac to introduce each month to my special education students, kindergarden to third grade and they love her. Linnea's adventues have peeked their interest in nature. They have put this interest to use by creating a Garden Learning Center just outside our classroom window, to share with the rest of the school.

Linnea's Window Garden and Monet's Garden in Giveny are also favorites and are used in the classroom. Working with plants and seed was fun after reading about the window garden and Monet has become a familiar artist to the students after reading about Linnea's visit to his garden.

Linnea's books make wonderful gifts for all ages young and old. I would suggest starting with Linnea's Almanac. It introduces the reader to Linnea in such a way that she is an instant friend. Plus, the illustrations are interesting and discriptive even for the non-reader. I have been Linnea's friend for almost five years and enjoy rereading about her again and again.