The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver by Gene Barretta, illustrated by Frank Morrison, This is the story of his lifelong love of gardening. Born a slave, he grew up on a farm where he especially loved growing flowers. He experimented with a secret garden in the woods, taking care of people’s plants and getting a reputation as a plant doctor. It was when he was hired as a professor at the Tuskegee Institute that his research into the benefits of the peanut took off. He spent his life teaching and traveling and became a living folk hero. This is an inspirational book, with beautiful, complementary illustrations. (Non-Fiction)