Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan Wisconsin

This is the first post of a travel series of our anniversary getaway to Door County Wisconsin.

My husband and I celebrated 38 years of marriage this month with a four day weekend to Door County Wisconsin.  Door County is a famous spot in Wisconsin, it is that tiny little sliver of land on the east side of our state.  It is surrounded by water on both sides, and has absolutely beautiful views of Lake Michigan with the cutest towns to boot!

 

But our weekend adventure didn't start in Door County, it began in Sheboygan Wisconsin;  about one and a half south of Door County.  We were driving across the state from the west, and decided to stop in Sheboygan for the night.  We arrived around lunch time and had a great lunch at a farm-to-table place called "Field to Fork".  It is a charming place with great decor and even greater food!  I highly recommend it.

After lunch we headed over to the Bookworm Gardens.  Even though I have lived in Wisconsin most of my life, I had first learned about Bookworm Gardens on Instagram.  The reel was so incredible to me, I had to check it out.  It's amazing how social media has broadened our world, hasn't it?

Bookworm Gardens is a magical place for gardeners and children alike.

Bookworm is a botanic garden based on children's literature with a mission to inspire the love of books and nature in the young and young at heart. They created beautiful gardens with children's books as the theme of their gardens.  The creativity of this place is AMAZING!  Over 80 children's books are represented in the gardens.  The garden opened in 2010 and they have continued to add on more themed gardens.

To begin our tour, I divided my post into what the garden calls "Gateways".  Each gateway has a theme and books that represent that theme are in it.  I will list the Gateway first, followed by the title of the book represented in that garden section.

First up:

The Animal Gateway

The Animal Gateway houses many books, including The Three Pigs with its small-house exploration and planted pigsqueak, and Dinosaur Bones including a sandpit to dig!

Hansel and Gretel Learning Cottage

The Hansel and Gretel learning cottage is so cute!  At the end of this post you will see the backside with the funky roof.  The cottage is a welcoming hub with a gift shop, rocking chairs, and restrooms.

Harry the Dirty Dog

I couldn't take photos of every single garden or this post would be very long, so I am just going to show a few from each section.  I must admit that although I have always read to my children and grandchildren, I have not heard of many of the books in this garden.  I never heard of "Harry the Dirty Dog" but I loved his fun display.

                       Is Your Mama a Llama 

Some of the gardens are complex and others are very simple like this "Is Your Mama or Llama".  I mean what plant is better for a children's garden other than Lambs Ear, and the statue of the lamb just seals the deal.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a tunnel you walk through.  Do you see the caterpillar's eyes above my husband's head?

Horton Hatches An Egg

I thought the Dr. Seuss displays were splendidly done.  Horton's eggs are in the nest above, but can you see Horton hiding in the tree below?

Frankie, The Walk And Roll Dog

Dinosaur Bones

In the Dinosaur Bone garden, the kids can dig for dinosaur fossils!

Conner the Caddie

They have so many gardens where kids can go inside the structures.  This one had children sized wooden rockers inside.

The Three Little Pigs

A Playhouse for Monster

Here I am standing outside one of the structure which is too small for me, but just the right size for a little one.  Pictured below is the inside of the structure I am standing in front of.

The Lorax

I think the Dr. Seuss gardens were my favorites.  I just love Dr. Seuss books, and the whimsical books provide great material for a garden.

The Bridge

Installed in 2019, but planned for from the beginning, the 90-ft. bridge spans the ravine and allows for a full-circle exploration of the Gardens. The Billy Goats Gruff and their troll live near the bridge!

Billy Goats Gruff

The Pond Gateway

Frog and Toad, The Pout Pout Fish, The Rainbow Fish, and Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs are just some of the books in the Pond Gateway. The stars of the space, though, are definitely the koi fish and frogs!

Hello Lighthouse

McElligots Pool

The Rainbow Fish

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

The Memory Gateway

Home to stately granite bookshelves and serene rocking chairs, the Memory Gateway also houses Tiny, Perfect Things, Waiting For Wings, and Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge

Tiny Perfect Things

The Poppy Lady

I loved the Memory Wall.  It is made to look like bookshelves and books, and written on the book binder is a name of a loved one whose family donated money to the gardens.  It is such a clever idea, and a great way to give tribute to a beloved family member.

There is a small sitting area across from the Memorial where Humpty Dumpty is sitting on a wall.  

In each gateway is a pillar which holds books that are in that area.  You can find the book inside and take time to read it while in the gardens.

The Farm Gateway

The Farm Gateway strives to show how vegetables look in their whole form. In the Farm Gateway, you will learn about composting and hoop houses, smell herbs and onions, and see a real Johnny Appleseed tree in the orchard. 

The Tin Forest

Look at that metal snake!  Isn't he interesting?

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

The Woodlands Gateway

The Woodlands Gateway houses The Magic Treehouse, a favorite spot for storytime, as well as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little House in the Big Woods, and Winnie the Pooh. The dominant species in the Woodlands is white pine, which is unfortunately susceptible to blister rust.

Winnie the Pooh

The Winnie the Pooh area was so cute;  but I am partial to Pooh-Bear.  The shady forest makes it the perfect spot to put his tree house.

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

Little House in the Big Woods

The Creative Gateway

The instruments in Joyful Noise, The Waterfall’s Gift, and visitor-favorite Pinkalicious, with its monochromatic planting scheme, are staples in the Creative Gateway. The most iconic features, though, are the oversized picture frames from Katie and the Sunflowers

Hubby enjoyed playing the instruments in The Creative Gateway, but I wished my professional percussionist son were here, because he could have really put on a show!

The Waterfall's Gift

Degas and the Little Dancer

Katie and the Sunflowers

I loved these fun picture frames!

The Welcome Gateway

The Welcome Gateway is home to the much-beloved Magic School Bus, as well as a rainbow garden (Planting A Rainbow), a sensory garden (A Girl Named Helen Keller), and the amphitheater (A Midsummer Night’s Dream).  

Sensory Garden

The Sensory Garden was so cool!  Kids can touch and smell the plants!

Planting A Rainbow

Here is the backside of the Hansel and Gretel Cottage I mentioned above.  See the funky roof?

The Wind in the Willows

The Magic School Bus

 There is a picnic area right outside The Magic School Bus.  You are allowed to bring food and drink inside the garden too.

We really enjoyed the Bookworm Gardens and hope to bring our grandchildren back next year.

Bookworm Gardens is open from May to October but check their website before going because they are closed some days.  Admission is $12 for an adult, $10 for children 3-17 and 2 and under is free.

Next week, I'll share the rest of our day in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, then we will move on to Door County!

Have A Great Day!  Amy

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