“The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver” by Gene Barretta - Science Biography Book Review

“The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver” by Gene Barretta is a beautiful picture book following the life of this remarkable man from childhood through his greatest achievements. We recommend this book as part of "Dirt: Dig In," our first unit study in a series all about soil science.

This book is the perfect addition to the study of farming or soil science because it highlights the importance of the soil. Young Carver is depicted taking the soil in his hands to feel its texture and see if it needs water. Later, as a scientist and inventor, he championed the humble peanut as a way to improve soil health.

George Washington Carver is famous for growing peanuts, but he was really so much more than that. He was a pioneering soil scientist, he was an early environmentalist and a change-maker. He studied plants with single-minded enthusiasm through hands-on experimentation as a child.

Through this love and hard work, he developed a depth of knowledge others did not have. He took this insight and advanced agricultural science in the lab, in Congress, and in a small school cart traveling between rural towns in need.

The illustrations in this book render his childhood garden in richly colored oil paintings, with flowers springing to life. There is mention of his Christian beliefs. Since we are secular homeschoolers, I took note that this is clearly framed as his belief, not a statement of fact.

I am always looking for books that highlight interesting figures in history. Such living books root scientific ideas in how those ideas were developed and used in real life. Profiles of real people also set an example for our future young scientists, especially those that break the stereotype of who a scientist can be. George Washington Carver's story deserves a place in any home or school library and this book is an excellent choice to fill that role.