Something Just Went Ka-BOOM! in the Garden...

My New Picture Book Where Everything Goes Deliciously Wrong!

Author

Barry Waldo
March 18, 2026

What happens when competitive kids, sneaky cats, jailbreaking grasshoppers, and one unfortunate magnifying glass incident all collide? A garden explosion that rains salad and flowers all over town! Introducing the Big Bloom Ka-BOOM! Now available in a bright, limited edition hardcover—perfect for Easter baskets, Spring birthdays, or any kid who loves chaos, humor, and digging in the dirt. This special first edition hardcover is limited to just 100 numbered, signed copies so order it now by clicking HERE!

Meet the Dirt Diggers Club

The Awesome Blossoms face off with the Sprout Scouts in the Big Bloom Ka-BOOM!

I’ve always loved Peanuts. And I’ve always loved gardening. So when I set down at the keyboard to create a new book, I decided to leverage my love of all things Pig Pen to create a new character that would do something productive with all that dirt. Enter Messy McFarlen and his magical tomato garden. I instantly fell in love not only with Messy, but the entire world of Grubby Grove that was living in my imagination. There was only one thing missing. Messy needed friends. You’ll meet them all in the Big Bloom Ka-BOOM!, the second book in my Dirt Digger Club series.

Meet the Dirt Diggers in the BIG BLOOM KA-BOOM!

2 Book Bundle Special

MESSY McFARLEN’S TOMATO GARDEN
Premium Hardcover
For Garden’s Sake! 
Nobody believes Messy McFarlen can grow anything worthwhile. But with his muddy pup, a pocket full of seeds, and a whole lot of heart, he’s about to sprout something magical.

BIG BLOOM KA-BOOM!
Llimited Edition, Signed, Numbered (1-100) Hardcover.
Big Gardens. Big Trouble. Big Fun.
The Awesome Blossoms and the Sprout Scouts face off in Grubby Grove’s biggest garden contest. But when two troublemaking cats hatch a sneaky plan and a tail-wagging dog sounds the alarm, the competition heats up, and the gardens go wild in a day no one will ever forget.

Our Personal Shenanigans

Greetings from the Great White North! Nope, not New York, but Vancouver. And wow, what a winter it’s been! We’re loving our Canadian community, and so grateful for all those in the writing world (shoutout to SCBWI!) and JGS’ God of War team for making us feel so welcome. But Spring is upon us and I can wait to get back to the Hudson Valley to watch new life pop up everywhere.

But first, its back to Southern California to launch this new book and talk all things GARDENING this weekend! Please come see me at these TOMATOMANIA events, pick up some rare seedling varieties and don’t forget to order your book!.
Tapia Brothers, Encino, CA (Friday & Saturday, March 20, 21)

Underwood Family Farms, Moorpark, CA (March 28)
I hope to see you soon!
Barry