Lois Ehlert’s Growing Garden Gift Set
#3 in Lois Ehlert’s Growing Garden Series
on Goodreads (8)
What’s inside...
The book offers insightful information on cultivating and caring for living organisms, presented alongside stunning, vibrant abstract art. It includes three gift-sized editions of Lois Ehlert’s popular hardcover picture books: 'Eating the Alphabet,' 'Planting a Rainbow,' and 'Growing Vegetable Soup,' each complemented by bold, beautiful cut-paper collages. These editions are encased in an attractive slipcase along with a large flower-garden poster, making it an ideal springtime collection. The book provides a healthy dose of completely digestible information on growing and nurturing living things; it’s also a zesty introduction to vivid, abstract art. Color explodes from Ehlert’s bold, beautiful cut-paper collages like seeds from an over-ripe pod. Packaged in a lovely slipcase with a 16" x 22" flower-garden poster, it’s a springtime extravaganza!
Discussion points
What did you notice about the colors and shapes of the plants in the garden?
How do you think the garden feels when it’s sunny compared to when it rains?
Can you imagine what it would be like to be a plant? What kind of plant would you be?
Why do you think it's important to take care of our gardens and plants?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the growth of the plants in the book to their own growth. Discuss the seasons and how changes in weather affect both plants and our daily activities. Use the illustrations in the book to point out different types of plants and ask your child to describe them or compare them to each other. This expands their observation skills and vocabulary.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of patience
Explanation: The book follows the journey of planting a seed and waiting for it to grow, illustrating the necessary patience and care involved in gardening.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of waiting for results, whether it's in planting a seed, doing school projects, or building relationships.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Through garden care, children see the responsibilities involved in nurturing living things, including watering and weeding.
Real-World Application: This teaches children about taking care of their belongings and the importance of daily chores in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of nature
Explanation: Lois Ehlert’s vibrant illustrations and storytelling immerse children in the natural world, emphasizing the beauty and variety of the garden.
Real-World Application: Children learn to observe and appreciate the environment around them, promoting outdoor activities and environmental awareness.
Example Lesson: Healthy eating habits
Explanation: The book shows the process of growing various vegetables and fruits, highlighting the benefits of eating fresh produce.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to make healthier food choices and might show more interest in fruits and vegetables they have grown themselves or seen in the garden.
Example Lesson: Cycle of life
Explanation: The book portrays the lifecycle of plants from seed to fruit, teaching the biological process of growth.
Real-World Application: Understanding life cycles can help children grasp concepts of change and development in the wider world, including their own growth and aging.