Jennie and the Lazy Lima Bean
What’s inside...
In 'Jennie and the Lazy Lima Bean,' a young girl named Jennie discovers a lima bean that refuses to grow like the others in the garden. The story follows Jennie as she learns valuable lessons about patience, nurturing, and the unique pace at which living things grow. Through her interactions with the lazy lima bean, Jennie teaches readers about the importance of understanding and compassion, even when faced with challenges. The book combines humor, relatable characters, and educational themes, making it a delightful read for children and an excellent resource for teaching life skills. Meet Jennie and her best friend in the whole world - a lima bean! Jennie loves to play and have fun, but her lima bean friend would rather just sit on the couch. Can the power of friendship bring them together? In society today, with the unfortunate prevalence of bullying all around us, this book can help to boost confidence among children helping them form friendships.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
36 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Jennie wanted the Lima Bean to change?
What are some ways Jennie tried to help the Lima Bean? What would you have done differently?
How did the Lima Bean feel at the beginning of the story, and how did his feelings change by the end?
What does this story teach us about helping others and being patient?
Can you think of a time when you felt like the Lazy Lima Bean? What helped you overcome that feeling?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, briefly discuss lima beans or any experiences with gardening to make a personal connection.
Use expressive voices for each character to make the storytelling lively and engaging.
Pause after pivotal moments in the story to ask your child how they feel and predict what might happen next.
After reading, encourage your child to draw or act out their favorite part of the story, reinforcing their understanding and engagement with the book’s themes.
Connect the story’s lessons to real-life situations your child might encounter, enhancing their empathy and decision-making skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of responsibility
Explanation: In the story, Jennie learns the consequences of neglecting her chores when the Lima Bean becomes lazy and problematic.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to take care of their responsibilities, such as cleaning up after playing or doing homework on time, to avoid potential issues.
Example Lesson: The value of perseverance
Explanation: Jennie faces challenges in motivating the Lazy Lima Bean, but she persists and learns different strategies to encourage it.
Real-World Application: This teaches children not to give up when faced with difficult tasks or situations, but instead find creative solutions and persist.
Example Lesson: Understanding empathy
Explanation: Jennie eventually understands why the Lima Bean was lazy, which helps her to be more patient and supportive.
Real-World Application: Children learn to consider other people’s feelings and perspectives, fostering empathy and better relationships with peers.
Example Lesson: The consequences of actions
Explanation: The story illustrates how Jennie's initial neglect of the Lima Bean leads to bigger problems, showing how actions can have consequences.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the impact of their actions on themselves and others, promoting more thoughtful behavior.
Example Lesson: Importance of cooperation
Explanation: By the end of the book, Jennie and the Lima Bean work together to solve the problem, highlighting the benefits of cooperation.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to work collaboratively in team settings, be it in school projects or during playtime.