Little Miss Burnett: The Secret Garden: A BabyLit Flowers Primer
BabyLit® Primers Series
What’s inside...
This board book introduces the youngest readers to the world of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic tale, 'The Secret Garden', through a simple and engaging exploration of flowers. It's designed to captivate toddlers with colorful illustrations and teach them about different types of flowers, using the backdrop of the beloved story. BabyLit® is a fashionable way to introduce your toddler to the world of classic literature. With clever, simple text by Jennifer Adams, paired with stylish design and illustrations by Sugar’s Alison Oliver, these books are a must for every savvy parent’s nursery library.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
1-3
Length
22 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What types of flowers did you see in the secret garden?
How do you think Mary felt when she first found the garden?
Why is it important to take care of plants and flowers?
What would you plant in your own secret garden?
How did the garden change as the story progressed?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe different flowers from the book and relate them to real-life flowers they might know.
Discuss Mary's emotions throughout the book and compare them to times when your child felt similar emotions.
Emphasize the importance of nurturing and caring by drawing parallels between taking care of a garden and caring for their own belongings or pets.
Inspire creativity by asking your child what they would include in their own secret garden and why.
Trace the transformation of the garden alongside the character development in the story to highlight the themes of growth and change.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of nurturing growth
Explanation: In the story, the transformation of the secret garden mirrors the growth and development of the characters. As they tend to the garden, they themselves blossom.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to invest time and care into their personal hobbies and relationships, understanding that growth is a process that requires patience and perseverance.
Example Lesson: Empathy and kindness
Explanation: The characters learn to understand and care for each other as they share experiences in the garden. Their interactions teach them compassion.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be empathetic towards others' feelings and situations, promoting a more inclusive and understanding approach in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Healing through nature
Explanation: The garden provides a sanctuary for the characters, promoting emotional healing. Their connection with nature helps them to heal and find happiness.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of connecting with nature, understanding that spending time outdoors can be soothing and beneficial for mental well-being.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and exploration
Explanation: The secret garden sparks curiosity in the children, leading them to explore and discover new aspects of the world around them.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be inquisitive and adventurous, fostering a sense of discovery that can be applied to learning in school and other areas of life.