Growing StoryBook Theme Garden ideas
Do you have an idea of how to connect a children’s garden with a favorite children’s book? We want your creative ideas or first hand experiences to sow seeds of inspiration for literature-themed or “StoryBook Gardens” for young gardeners around the country.
Submit your thoughts by clicking on a link below and we might be able to add it to a growing list of ideas of using good books to help kids connect to gardening and the natural world.
Barbara Cooney
Plants:
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Lois Ehlert
Plants: Morning Glory, Zinnia, Marigold, Daisy
A garden could connect to this story because there are plenty of plants listed in the book, it reviews the four seasons, vocabulary and most importantly, pictures to show examples of the different stages of the flower. Children can definitely benefit from this story because of the visuals and the amount of educational material offered throughout this story.
submitted by Adrienne Danner, Chesapeake, VA
Lois Ehlert
Plants: tomatoes, potatoes, beans, peas, carrots, onions
The author walks the reader through planting, harvesting, and using a vegetable garden in colorful and entertaining way.
submitted by Sherri McShane, San Antonio, TX
Laurence Anholt
Plants:
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Janet Stevens
Plants:
A bear and rabbit room mates share responsibilities but the bear always tries to get out of work. The rabbit outsmarts him with plants that have edible tops and one who have edible bottoms. We read the story, plant, tend and harvest them and sample.
submitted by Nancy Cruz, Chesapeake, VA
Ruth Krauss, Crockett Johnson
Plants:
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Beatrix Potter
Plants:
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Edith Pattou, Mary Beth Owens
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Susan Jeffers
Plants: squash, corn, pole beans
The story speaks to the need for people to be in harmony with nature. The three sisters garden used the technique of companion planting. In this garden, all three plants are sowed and grow in such a way that they support each other. Click for more resources to start your Brother Eagle, Sister Sky themed garden. Resource 1 & Resource 2
submitted by Travis McCutcheon in Athens, GA
Dr. Seuss
Plants:
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Christina Bjork, Lena Anderson
Plants:
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Vivian French
Plants:
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Deborah Kogan Ray
Plants:
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Eve Bunting, Kathryn Hewitt
Plants:
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Frances Hodgson Burnett, Mary Collier
Plants:
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Grace Lin
Plants:
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Janet S. Anderson, Elizabeth Johns
Plants:
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John Coy, Carolyn Fisher
Plants:
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Lynne Cherry
Plants:
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David Mallett
Plants:
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Paul Fleischman, Kevin Hawkes
Plants:
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Sarah Stewart, David Small
Plants:
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Shel Silverstein
Plants:
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Mary Ann Hoberman
Plants:
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Pamela Duncan Edwards
Plants:
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Helen Ward, Wayne Anderson
Plants:
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Sherry Garland, Tatusuro Kiuchi
Plants:
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Karen Wallace, Jon Berkley
Plants:
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Demi
Plants:
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Mary Lyn Ray, Barry Root
Plants:
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Eric Carle
Plants:
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Jerdine Nolen, David Catrow
Plants:
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Stephanie Bloom, Kelly Murphy
Plants:
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Jon J. Muth
Plants: whatever is in season, potatoes, onions, carrots, etc.
This is such a wonderful story and promotes sharing and working together. In this story, many contribute a small amount into a pot of soup that simmers into a delicious meal. For the garden, have each student bring a seed or transplant of a favorite plant. Set a day to read the book, discuss the concept of a garden of favorite veggies and plant. Then once time comes to harvest, even if it’s just a few different pieces of produce ready to harvest a given time, use it as a basis for your classes stone soup.
submitted by Shannon Knowles Goldman
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