Grandma's Gardens
illustrations by
on Goodreads (523)
What’s inside...
Grandma Dorothy shared her love of gardens with her daughter, Hillary, and her granddaughter, Chelsea. She taught them that gardens are magical places to learn, exciting spaces for discovery, quiet spots to spend time with family and beautiful areas to share stories and celebrate special occasions. But most of all, she taught them that in her gardens, her love grew and blossomed. In this inspiring and heartwarming mother-daughter story, Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton team up to show readers how sharing the things we love with the people we love can create powerful, everlasting bonds between generations.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-3
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some of your favorite memories with your grandparents or older family members?
How do you think taking care of a garden might be similar to taking care of a person?
What can we learn from nature and spending time outdoors?
In what ways do you think gardens are important to our world?
How would you design your own garden if you could? What plants or flowers would you choose?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, share a personal story about your experiences with gardening or nature with your child.
Pause at key illustrations to discuss what's happening in the garden and ask your child how it makes them feel.
After reading, consider planting a small garden or a potted plant with your child to put the themes into practice.
Encourage your child to draw or describe their ideal garden and what kind of magical things might happen there.
Use the book as an opportunity to plan a visit to a local garden or park to explore the concepts in real life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of family bonds
Explanation: The story illustrates the special relationship between Chelsea and her grandmother, showcasing how sharing interests can strengthen familial ties.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and cultivate relationships with their own family members by engaging in shared activities.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The book highlights the beauty of gardens and the care that goes into maintaining them, promoting a respect for the natural world.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to explore gardening, or at least, to appreciate and take care of the environment around them.
Example Lesson: Patience and dedication
Explanation: Gardening is presented as a rewarding, yet time-consuming activity that requires patience and dedication, as seen through the nurturing of the gardens by Chelsea and her grandmother.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of patience and hard work, which can be applied in their studies, hobbies, and relationships.
Example Lesson: The joy of sharing with others
Explanation: The book shows how Chelsea's grandmother shares the produce and beauty of her garden with neighbors and friends, emphasizing generosity.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to share their own 'harvests', whether they be actual garden yields or other achievements or creations, fostering a sense of community and kindness.
Example Lesson: Historical and educational values of plants
Explanation: The book discusses different types of plants and their uses, providing educational content about botany.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to learn more about plant life and their benefits, promoting educational growth and possibly sparking a lifelong interest in botany or science.