oasis

Recently Chip and I went up to visit his mom. On the way, we stopped by the Bookworm Gardens to check it out.


And discovered a truly awesome attraction. 

There are several areas to the gardens, each featuring a different theme. Near the beginning of each is a place where all the books within that section are stored. This is great, especially if you're not sure of every single title. Reading right then and there is also encouraged--there were a large number of benches, chairs and places to sit everywhere.

Once inside the area, each garden plot is labeled with a book title and has several items that tie directly with the book:

Several books have interactive features, like this from Click, Clack, Moo:

Chip was particularly enamored with the Dinosaur Bones exhibit, where you could dig in the sand and uncover (cement) bones. Little House in the Big Woods had a cabin (in which you could play) and a covered wagon (though that particular item was just for show). And the Japanese garden was nifty, with a Zen rock garden you could rake and a tea ceremony.


And the gardening is amazing! We want to go back later in the year to check a few things out, especially the Inch by Inch worm (right now just metal arches, but will be covered in clematis). And to see what happens with the creatures like Horton here:

All-in-all, a fantabulous destination! Be prepared to spend plenty of time if you go, especially if you take kids with you...