Mrs Noah's Garden
#2 in Mrs. Noah Series
What’s inside...
The flood is over and while Mr Noah builds a house out of the ark, Mrs Noah creates a magical garden with the help of seeds from her famous pockets, their children, and the creatures. The story explores themes of new beginnings, care for nature, and the concept of home. On a Midsummer morning, special surprises await, showcasing Mrs Noah's resourcefulness and connection to the earth. This new story about independent-minded Mrs Noah and her relationship with nature is a celebration of perseverance and creativity.
Discussion points
Why do you think Mrs. Noah decided to create a garden? What would you plant in a garden if you had the chance?
How did the animals help Mrs. Noah in the garden? Can animals and humans work together in real life?
What challenges do you think Mrs. Noah faced while making her garden, and how did she overcome them?
How did the garden change throughout the book? What do you think this tells us about taking care of the environment?
If you were to create a magical element for a garden, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to visualize by asking them how they imagine Mrs. Noah’s garden might look like and discuss the different plants and animals that could live there.
Use descriptive prompts from the book to inspire your child to think about the texture, smells, and colors in the garden, enhancing the sensory experience.
Discuss the value of teamwork by focusing on the parts of the story where animals and Mrs. Noah work together, asking your child about times they have collaborated with others.
Highlight Mrs. Noah’s problem-solving and resilience, prompting your child to think of times they have faced obstacles and how they managed to overcome them.
After reading, consider planting a few easy-to-care-for plants with your child, relating it back to the book’s themes of growth and care.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: Mrs. Noah creates a beautiful garden in the story, showcasing her ability to solve problems creatively and make the best of her circumstances.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to use their imagination to overcome challenges and improve their surroundings, whether it's at home, in school, or in their community.
Example Lesson: Importance of caring for the environment
Explanation: The narrative emphasizes Mrs. Noah's dedication to building a garden and nurturing it, which teaches children the importance of environmental conservation.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to engage in activities such as planting trees, recycling, and learning about sustainable practices to protect the planet.
Example Lesson: Perseverance and resilience
Explanation: Mrs. Noah exhibits perseverance as she builds her garden in less-than-ideal conditions, demonstrating that dedication can lead to beautiful outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by sticking with difficult tasks at school or in their personal lives, understanding that persistence is key to success.
Example Lesson: The joy of sharing with others
Explanation: The garden becomes a shared space that brings joy not only to Mrs. Noah but also to her family and the animals, illustrating the value of sharing and community.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of cooperation and sharing in their own lives, helping them build stronger relationships with family and friends.
Example Lesson: Encouragement of self-expression
Explanation: Mrs. Noah’s garden is a reflection of her personality and an outlet for her self-expression through the choices of plants and the design.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to find and engage in hobbies and activities that allow them to express themselves creatively, whether it be through art, music, or writing.