The verdict
Is We Are the Gardeners worth it?
Yes — We Are the Gardeners is one of the stronger picks we track in books & media. It holds 2 verified certifications (FSC Certified, Global Recycled Standard). Priced in the $$ band.
- Cruelty-freeUnverified
- VeganUnverified
- Plastic-free packagingUnverified
- Recyclable / compostableUnverified
- Palm-oil safeUnverified
- Certified organicUnverified
- Fair labourUnverified
Magnolia Publication
We Are the Gardeners
Ethics Score
Composite of certifications, ingredient analysis, and sustainability practices.
Certifications
Buy From
* Affiliate links help support EthiCompare's mission.
Customer Rating
Best for
Parents and educators looking to teach children about nature and patience.
AI Ethics Review
A popular children's book that promotes environmental awareness and perseverance, produced with higher-than-average sourcing standards for mass-market media.
Gallery
Claim-by-claim check
The questions shoppers ask most about We Are the Gardeners, answered from certifications, tags and sourcing notes on file.
- Is We Are the Gardeners cruelty-free?
- Unverified — no third-party cruelty-free certification is recorded for We Are the Gardeners in our database.
- Is We Are the Gardeners vegan?
- Unverified — We Are the Gardeners has no certified vegan claim on file; check the ingredient notes below.
- Is We Are the Gardeners plastic-free?
- Unverified — we have no plastic-free packaging claim on record for We Are the Gardeners.
- Is We Are the Gardeners recyclable or compostable?
- Unverified — end-of-life handling for We Are the Gardeners is not documented in our data.
- Does We Are the Gardeners avoid problem palm oil?
- Unverified — no palm-oil policy is recorded for We Are the Gardeners.
- Is We Are the Gardeners certified organic?
- Unverified — no organic certification is on file for We Are the Gardeners.
- Is We Are the Gardeners fairly made?
- Unverified — no independent labour standard is recorded for We Are the Gardeners.
Ethics Breakdown
Each pillar is independently scored from public certifications, ingredient/material sourcing, and brand disclosures, then averaged into the composite Ethics Score above.
How it compares in Books & Media
Benchmarked against 3 other published products in the same category.
0%
of compared products score lower
-19
points vs the category average
2
verified certifications on file
In-Depth Review
Cultivating the Next Generation
We Are the Gardeners, written by Joanna Gaines and her children, follows the story of their family's journey in starting a garden. While it functions as a delightful children's narrative, the core message is one of stewardship. It teaches children that the earth requires patience, care, and a protective hand—forming the foundation for early environmental ethics.
Mainstream Sourcing Ethics
While published through HarperCollins (a large multinational corp), this specific title under the Magnolia imprint adheres to improved paper sourcing standards. By utilizing FSC-certified materials, the book ensures that the demand for children's literature does not lead to the destruction of old-grown forests. This is a critical step for mass-market books that often prioritize cost over ecological sourcing.
- Engages children with the natural world.
- Teaches the value of failure and persistence.
- Illustrates the biodiversity required for a healthy garden.
| Audience | Ages 4-8 |
|---|---|
| Theme | Gardening & Nature |
| Binding | Hardcover |
"We learned that a garden is a lot of work, but it’s the best kind of work. It’s hard, messy, and sometimes a little frustrating, but the reward is worth every bit of it."
Choosing the FSC-certified version of this book helps support forest management that preserves water quality and protects habitat for wildlife.
Pros
- ✓Engaging for young children
- ✓Uses FSC-certified paper
- ✓Strong focus on outdoor education
Cons
- ✗Published by a major corporate entity with varying standards
- ✗Higher chemical ink profile than indie publishers
Key Facts
- Brand
- Magnolia Publication
- Category
- Books & Media
- Ethics Score
- 78/100
- Price Range
- $$ (≈ $19.99)
- Avg Rating
- 4.8/5 (15400 reviews)
- Cert
- FSC Mix
- Pages
- 40 pages
- Format
- Hardcover
- ISBN-10
- 1400314220
- Imprint
- Magnolia / HarperCollins
- Illustrator
- Julianna Swaney
- Certifications
- FSC Certified, Global Recycled Standard
🌱 Sustainability
The publisher has committed to increasing the percentage of recycled content in their children's line by 2025.
🧪 Ingredients & Materials
Conventional inks used, but paper is sourced from FSC-certified suppliers.
Price & where to buy
Typically around $19.99 — prices change often, so check the live listing.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects the ethics score.
What Reviewers Say
"My kids love the story and I love the message about caring for plants."
"Beautifully illustrated book that looks great on the shelf and teaches good values."
"A solid mainstream choice for ethical gifting."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is We Are the Gardeners by Magnolia Publication ethically made?+
Yes. We Are the Gardeners earns an EthiCompare ethics score of 78/100, backed by third-party certifications including FSC Certified, Global Recycled Standard. A popular children's book that promotes environmental awareness and perseverance, produced with higher-than-average sourcing standards for mass-market media.
Is We Are the Gardeners worth buying?+
We Are the Gardeners scores 78/100 on our ethics rating. That puts it in the upper band of the products we track, so it is a defensible buy on ethics grounds.
Is We Are the Gardeners cruelty-free?+
We have not verified a third-party cruelty-free certification for We Are the Gardeners. See our Magnolia Publication verdict page for the brand's full animal-testing position.
Is We Are the Gardeners vegan?+
We Are the Gardeners does not carry a certified vegan claim in our database. Check the ingredient notes above and the brand's own disclosure before buying.
What are the best alternatives to We Are the Gardeners?+
We list higher-scoring books & media products from other brands on this page, and a full set of ethical alternatives to Magnolia Publication on its alternatives page.
What certifications does We Are the Gardeners hold?+
We Are the Gardeners holds the following certifications: FSC Certified, Global Recycled Standard. These independent verifications cover sourcing, animal welfare, environmental impact, and ingredient safety.
How sustainable is We Are the Gardeners?+
The publisher has committed to increasing the percentage of recycled content in their children's line by 2025.
What are the key ingredients or materials in We Are the Gardeners?+
Conventional inks used, but paper is sourced from FSC-certified suppliers.
How much does We Are the Gardeners cost?+
We Are the Gardeners is priced in the $$ range for books & media. Visit the retailer links above for current pricing.
Where can I buy We Are the Gardeners?+
We Are the Gardeners is available from the brand's official website and major retailers. The product page above lists every verified retailer we track.
Is We Are the Gardeners plastic-free?+
Unverified — we have no plastic-free packaging claim on record for We Are the Gardeners.
Is We Are the Gardeners recyclable or compostable?+
Unverified — end-of-life handling for We Are the Gardeners is not documented in our data.
Does We Are the Gardeners avoid problem palm oil?+
Unverified — no palm-oil policy is recorded for We Are the Gardeners.
Is We Are the Gardeners certified organic?+
Unverified — no organic certification is on file for We Are the Gardeners.
Is We Are the Gardeners fairly made?+
Unverified — no independent labour standard is recorded for We Are the Gardeners.
Customer Reviews
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Questions & Answers
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