Secret Story Garden
on Goodreads (11)
What’s inside...
This delightful collection of poems and short stories comes from the pen of Enid Blyton, one of the world's best loved storytellers. Open the pages and enter a secret garden of enchantment, where fairies, pixies, goblins, and a whole host of fairytale folk come to life once more for a new generation of children.
Why read this book
- Captivating adventures stimulate children's imagination and creativity.
- Characters teach valuable lessons about friendship and teamwork.
- Enhances vocabulary and comprehension skills through engaging narratives.
- Encourages exploration of emotions and empathy development.
The Big Picture
- Exploring curiosity through vibrant storytelling.
- Teaches empathy and celebrates diversity.
- Emphasizes the power of friendship.
- Links real life challenges with story events.
What parents love
- Engaging plot with positive moral lessons
- Manages sensitive topics well for young children
- Beautiful illustrations complement the educational content
- Perfect balance of fun narrative and learning
Diversity & Representation
- Features culturally diverse characters and settings.
- Promotes inclusivity through relatable, varied character experiences.
- Supports understanding and acceptance across different cultures.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-12
Length
44 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think is the most magical part of the Secret Story Garden and why?
How do the characters in the book show kindness to each other?
If you could create your own secret garden, what special things would you include in it?
How do you think the garden helps the characters solve their problems?
What have you learned from this story that you could use in your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
As you read with your child, pause at exciting moments and ask them to predict what might happen next.
Relate the themes of the story to your child’s daily experiences, asking them to recall times when they felt similar emotions to the characters.
Encourage your child to describe their favorite part of the book and draw a picture of it, enhancing their connection to the story.
Use vivid, descriptive language to discuss the garden, asking your child what they imagine it would smell, sound, and feel like.
After finishing the book, spend time with your child planning or visiting a garden, drawing parallels to the Secret Story Garden.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'Secret Story Garden,' characters work together to solve mysteries and overcome obstacles, showing how cooperation leads to success.
Real-World Application: Children learn to collaborate with others, be it in school projects or in sports, fostering a sense of community and shared achievement.
Example Lesson: Value of curiosity
Explanation: The book encourages exploration and questioning the world around, as the children's curiosity leads them to incredible adventures and learning opportunities.
Real-World Application: Fosters a love for learning and discovery in real life, encouraging children to ask questions and seek answers in their daily interactions and studies.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: Characters in the story frequently encounter challenges, yet their determination to find solutions teaches resilience.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand the importance of perseverance when faced with difficulties, whether in academics, sports, or personal endeavors.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The garden setting emphasizes the beauty and importance of the natural world, promoting environmental awareness.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to care for their environment, appreciating and preserving nature through activities like recycling or gardening.
Example Lesson: Empathy and kindness
Explanation: Through interactions between characters, the story highlights the significance of treating others with kindness and understanding different perspectives.
Real-World Application: Instills values of empathy and kindness, helping children navigate social situations with compassion and consideration for others' feelings.