How does a small seed become a big pumpkin? Why do some plants need more sun than others? From the time he was a child growing up in Missouri, George Washington Carver's favorite place was the garden. His passion for learning about nature was boundless. And, despite financial struggles and racial discrimination throughout his schooling, by 1896 Carver, a former slave, was appointed by Booker T. Washington to head the agricultural department at the prestigious Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

During his tenure at Tuskegee and beyond, George Washington Carver made significant contributions to the study of agriculture, and particularly the innovative uses of the peanut. Yet his most enduring legacy was his love of learning and teaching and his deep respect for nature. Now, acclaimed nonfiction author Stephen Krensky and Coretta Scott King Honor artist Wil Clay create a spirited tribute to one of America's greatest educators and agricultural pioneers.

From the dust jacket