Messy McFarlen's Tomato Garden: A fun new picture book about gardening (The Dirt Diggers Club)

“Talking tomatoes and the joys of digging in dirt make for an enchanting picture book—and will inspire young readers to ask to create their own garden projects,” says Anita Prentice, Educator, Grandmother, and President of the Board of Trustees at Desmond Fish Public Library (New York). Because a love for gardening is meant to be shared.FOR GARDEN'S SAKE! Nobody believes Messy McFarlen can grow anything worthwhile—especially not his neighbor Pristina Purrfect and her cat, Sour Puss. But with his muddy pup, a pocket full of tomato seeds, and a whole lot of heart, Messy is about to sprout something magical—and prove that the most unlikely gardener can grow the most amazing garden of all.With a cast of talking tomatoes (like Aunt Ruby, the Snow Whites, Marzano, and Pineapple Pig), funny gardening mishaps, and a surprise twist, this book is a must-read for kids—and a top pick among children's picture books for spring and summer 2026.Why Parents, Teachers, Librarians & Kids Will Love This Book🌱 Perfect for Little Gardeners! A great children's book about planting seeds, growing food, and connecting with nature.😂 A Funny, Engaging Story for Early Readers! Rhyming text, silly moments, and repetition make it perfect for daycare, preschool, kindergarten, and first grade storytime.🐞 Includes Real-Life Garden Bug Facts! Features Messy McFarlen’s Garden Bug Guide—a fun, two-page nonfiction section on ladybugs, praying mantises, bees, and more!📚 Ideal for Spring Book Displays and Garden-Themed Curriculum! One of the best books for kids 2026, perfect for early childhood outdoor learning.In the crowded landscape of new children’s books about gardening, Messy McFarlen stands out with its universal themes of perseverance, determination, and the unexpected magic that happens when we embrace our uniqueness.“Pigpen has always been my favorite Peanuts character, and I’ve always wondered why he didn’t do something productive with all that dirt,” said Hudson Valley, New York bestselling author Barry Waldo. “Why not grow something MUD-TAC-U-LAR!”The collaboration with Scott Daigre, Owner-Producer of Tomatomania and tomato expert based in Ojai, California, adds an authentic gardening perspective that resonates with families interested in farm-to-table food, fun garden books for preschoolers, and hands-on nature-based learning. “Tomatomaniacs come in all shapes and sizes,” said Scott Daigre. “With the thousands of tomato varieties in the world, we wanted to show kids how fun and diverse growing your own tomato garden can be.” Read more