Between its nutrient density and garden-show foliage, there’s a lot to be said for kale. Sharon Hanna says nearly all of it in “The Book of Kale: The Easy-to-Grow Superfood” ($26.95). Hanna started out to write a guide to growing kale, but expanded her focus to include a vitamin profile (it’s good for you), history (Celts introduced kale to Europe around 600 B.C.), and a section on “Kids and Kale.” The real story is the 80 recipes: fruit-laden Green Queen smoothie, kale scones with pumpkin and cheese, and Tuscan-style bruschetta with pine nuts and currants. Vegetables never had it so good. Available at bookstores or go to www.amazon

.com. LUCIA HUNTINGTON