Planted with Love

A heartfelt picture book about one child's experience in foster care that reminds all kids that—just like a garden—love from the right source will help them bloom.

Lamar has lived in seven homes in three years and has never stayed anywhere long enough to put down roots. As he watches his new foster mom tend to her garden each day, he soon joins her with cautious curiosity. Together, they plant, they weed, they water . . . until one day Lamar's anger and feelings of uncertainty lead him to destroy the garden.

But through his foster mother's love and care, Lamar discovers that just like her garden, he is wanted, he is loved, he has been planted, and he will bloom.

Written by a licensed social worker, Planted with Love illustrates that a loving home and a loving adult can provide a safe place for any child to grow and thrive.Natasha Tripplett writes from a tree house perched in a sycamore tree at her home near Oakland, California. Born to a Jamaican immigrant and a Jewish woman, Natasha was adopted as a baby. She is the author of The Blue Pickup, Juneteenth Is, and Planted with Love.

Adriana Predoi grew up in Romania, where she studied mural art in high school and got her BA in fine art. She now works as a freelance illustrator from her little home studio in London. Adriana gets inspiration from plants, nature, and, best of all, books.Lamar steps out of the car
and looks at all the plants.

“What a mess,” he mumbles.

In his new room, Lamar unpacks his bag.

“Do you want to see the garden?” his new
foster mother asks. Lamar shakes his head.

He watches from the window.

She weeds.
She waters.
She waits.