WELCOME!

Shelf Space Books is an independent publisher of books and content for young children. Founded in 2016 when a rude Little Ant happened upon a hungry caterpillar, today we are the home of two beautifully illustrated children’s book series featuring young characters learning to manage and express their big feelings in a healthy and appropriate way. As our book shelf has grown, so has our passion for creating fun, educational, and free resources for parents and educators. We love to share our books, characters, and creations! As you explore the site, make sure to take a moment to subscribe to our monthly newsletter that includes a calendar of our scheduled Amazon freebies for the month as well as coloring pages and seasonal activities for kids.

Free Learning Activities – Printable Resources

The Gertie in the Garden books were born out of a desire to help foster in kids a love and appreciation of real food and where it comes from—and what it even is. So much of what is marketed to us and our kids is not food. It’s not good for our bodies, it’s not good for our minds, and it’s not good for our souls. In Gertie’s world, growing and eating crisp, colorful veggies is a fun, exciting, and normal part of everyday life.

Find free food and garden-related resources for home, homeschool, or the classroom on our Free Digital Downloads page. These no-prep pdf printables can be used as companion resources for our books or as stand-alone activities. They offer a fun and easy way to introduce children to growing and eating new vegetables. We are continually adding new resources, so please check back often!

Gertie in the Garden Books

Illustrated Early Reader Chapter Books for Ages 6 to 9

The Gertie in the Garden series takes a fresh approach to children’s gardening books. First-grade gardener Gertie Green, who has the literal mind of Amelia Bedelia and the spunk of Junie B., also has an unexpected knack for solving her problems with homegrown veggies! With the story always front and center, these beautifully illustrated and funny books celebrate friendship, gardening, and the power and importance of being yourself. Each story features a different vegetable as a key part of the story and includes how-to-grow information for young gardeners. Quirky, original, and full of heart, Gertie’s garden-inspired, friendship heroics will inspire your kids to develop a love of gardening.

Click on the book covers below to learn more about each title.

Read about Gertie in the Garden on Marion Nestle’s Food Politics Blog.

Explore our free companion resources here: Free Digital Downloads.

“The Gertie in the Garden series is so engaging . . . growing vegetables and even playing with them will encourage kids to view healthy foods as helping them negotiate their way in the world. Kids will love these books (and parents will too).”

— Marion Nestle, Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Emerita, New York University

A young girl sitting on a bench in a backyard garden. Her grandmother is carrying baskets of vegetables.