My Nana's Garden
What’s inside...
A lyrical, stunningly illustrated book about love, loss, and the healing power of nature. A little girl visits her grandmother in summer and winter, exploring her garden which is tangled with weeds. Nana calls them 'Wildflowers, food for the bees.' As time passes, the girl faces the loss of her Nana, but as winter transitions to spring, she finds solace and understanding in the enduring memory of her grandmother and the rejuvenation of the garden.
Age
3-7
Length
22 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Granddaughter
Nana
Discussion points
What are some of your favorite memories with your grandmother or a loved one?
How do you feel when you help someone take care of plants or a garden?
What do you think happens in a garden when we are not looking?
How do you think taking care of a garden can show love for someone?
Can you think of ways we can create beautiful memories together like the characters in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their personal experiences with gardening or spending time with a grandparent to the story.
Use expressive read-aloud techniques to emphasize the emotional nuances in the story, making the bonding process in 'My Nana's Garden' more relatable.
Post-reading, spend some time with your child in a garden or a park to practically connect the storyline to real life, enhancing sensory and emotional understanding.
Invite your child to draw or describe their ideal garden, incorporating elements from the book to foster creativity and deeper understanding of the book’s themes.
Discuss the cycle of life and seasons subtly portrayed in the book, linking it to growth and transformations observed in nature.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding of Loss and Remembrance
Explanation: The story explores the themes of loss and remembrance through the relationship between a girl and her grandmother, demonstrating how memories can keep loved ones alive in our hearts.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cope with the loss of a loved one by cherishing memories and finding comfort in the enduring love and lessons they left behind.
Example Lesson: Cycle of Life
Explanation: Through the changing seasons in Nana's garden, the book introduces the concept of the life cycle in nature, showing how life continues through different forms and manifestations.
Real-World Application: Children can observe and appreciate the natural cycles in their environment, understanding growth, change, and renewal in everyday life.
Example Lesson: Value of Patience and Care
Explanation: The nurturing of the garden depicted in the book teaches the value of patience and consistent care, showing how time and effort lead to flourishing outcomes.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to undertake activities that require patience and persistence, such as gardening, studying, or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Bonding Over Shared Interests
Explanation: The story shows a grandchild and grandmother bonding over their shared love for the garden, highlighting the importance of shared activities in strengthening relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to spend quality time with family members or friends in shared activities, fostering stronger emotional connections and cooperation.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for Nature
Explanation: By depicting the beauty and tranquility of Nana’s garden, the book instills a sense of appreciation and wonder for the natural world.
Real-World Application: This can lead children to cultivate a caring attitude towards the environment, promoting activities like planting, recycling, and conservation of natural resources.