Backyard Soup — Jorge Cham

Elinor learns how plants survive in a hot and dry climate in this fourth picture book based on the popular TV series. Elinor loves making her famous backyard soup for her friends and parents. It’s made with vegetables from her garden: peas, potatoes, cauliflower, carrots and radishes. Everyone loves it! So when Elinor visits her grandparents in Desert Town, she decides to make backyard soup for them, too. But when she goes to collect the ingredients from her grandparents’ garden, Elinor doesn’t see any of the usual vegetables. Instead, she finds peppers, beans, squash and even cacti! Why don’t the vegetables that grow in her garden grow in Desert Town? Elinor’s inquisitiveness leads her to discover how different types of plants grow in different climates. Using observation and exploration, and by making connections, Elinor learns about desert plants and their needs. This book is a perfect accompaniment to elementary lessons on plants and the many environments they grow in. Its entertaining story and endearing animal characters encourage curiosity and teach scientific skills. It’s part of the picture book series based on the hit PBS KIDS TV show Elinor Wonders Why, created and produced by Jorge Cham and Daniel Whiteson and nominated for two Daytime Emmys. Back matter features science facts, a key vocabulary word and a fun activity.