The Library of Work and Play: Gardening and Farming.

"The Library of Work and Play: Gardening and Farming" by Ellen Eddy Shaw is an instructional story that follows a group of youthful gardeners mentored by The Chief, as they learn the ins and outs of gardening in the early 1900s. This book uses the adventures of a garden club to teach young minds about teamwork and nature, providing a fun and educational experience through each character’s challenges with soil conditions, space limitations, and more. As the boys gather during a stormy night at the mentor's home, they help each other strategize, learning from one another's problems and experiences. The central themes in the meetings cover essential gardening, planting techniques, and crop rotations, all while they grow their skills and create a sense of community. The opening captures the young group's spirit, as a team and also individually, and introduces important lessons they will face.