April's Garden
What’s inside...
Living in a grey and dreary room in a house that couldn't feel less like home, April dreams about how life could be with happy, peaceful spaces and somewhere to play. However, every seed she plants refuses to take root, making her dreams feel hopelessly out of reach. 'April's Garden' is a story for anyone who fears that home is an impossible dream, reminding readers that even in the bleakest situations, there is always something to hold on to: hope.
Age
5-7
Length
123 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think April felt when she first started planting her garden?
How do you think taking care of the garden changed April?
What does the garden symbolize in the story? Can you think of something similar in your life?
How do the changes in the garden throughout the seasons make you feel?
What would you plant in your garden and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to convey the emotions April might be feeling throughout the book. This helps children grasp the emotional context of the story.
Encourage your child to describe their own feelings and experiences with nature or responsibilities, relating them to April’s experience in the book.
Pause after impactful moments in the story to ask your child how they think a character is feeling, fostering empathy and emotional understanding.
Post-reading, consider starting a small plant-growing project to bring the themes of the book to life, enhancing experiential learning.
Ask your child to draw or describe their ideal garden. This not only taps into creative skills but also helps them connect more deeply with the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of patience
Explanation: In 'April's Garden', April learns that plants take time to grow and that daily care and patience are required.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding that many aspects of life, like learning a new skill or building a friendship, require patience and persistent effort.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: Through her interactions with the garden, April shows reverence for the natural world, emphasizing the importance of taking care of our environment.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to engage in activities like recycling, conserving water, or planting flowers, promoting environmentally friendly habits.
Example Lesson: The rewards of hard work
Explanation: April experiences the joy and satisfaction of seeing her garden flourish after dedicating time and effort to its care.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn that dedication and hard work in schoolwork, chores, or hobbies can lead to rewarding outcomes and a sense of achievement.
Example Lesson: Observation and learning
Explanation: As April works in her garden, she observes the changes in plant growth, learning from what the plants need to thrive.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to observe the world around them more keenly and learn from everyday experiences, fostering a natural curiosity and desire for knowledge.