The Curious Garden
on Goodreads (6,905)
What’s inside...
While out exploring one day, a little boy named Liam discovers a struggling garden and decides to take care of it. As time passes, the garden spreads throughout the dark, gray city, transforming it into a lush, green world. This is an enchanting tale with environmental themes and breathtaking illustrations that become more vibrant as the garden blooms. Red-headed Liam can also be spotted on every page, adding a clever seek-and-find element to this captivating picture book.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What changes did you notice in the garden as the story progressed?
How do you think the boy felt when he first found the garden?
Why is it important to take care of our environment, like the boy took care of the garden?
What are some ways you can help nature in our own community?
How do you think the garden affected the people and the city around it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to highlight the transformation of the garden, reflecting its impact through tone and pace.
Pause at key moments to allow your child to absorb the illustrations and link them to the story’s development.
Encourage your child to imagine what they would plant in their own garden and discuss the different plants that can be grown.
Relate the story to real-life by discussing any local gardens or parks, and perhaps plan a visit to one.
After reading, consider starting a small garden project with your child to give them a hands-on experience similar to the boy’s in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Environmental stewardship
Explanation: The protagonist, Liam, discovers a struggling garden and begins to care for it, demonstrating the impact of nurturing nature.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of taking care of their environment, perhaps starting with small tasks like watering plants or recycling.
Example Lesson: Persistence and patience
Explanation: The garden does not transform overnight. Liam’s dedication over time shows that persistence and patience are key to achieving results.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to continue working towards personal goals, understanding that results come with consistent effort.
Example Lesson: The power of curiosity
Explanation: Liam’s initial exploration of the railway and his subsequent discovery of the garden highlight the value of curiosity and exploring the unknown.
Real-World Application: It teaches children to seek out new experiences and learn from them, fostering a lifelong love of learning.
Example Lesson: Community impact
Explanation: As the garden blossoms, it begins to influence the whole community, showing how positive changes can have a wider societal impact.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to contribute positively in their own communities, understanding that their actions can benefit others around them.
Example Lesson: Transformation through care
Explanation: The transformation of the grim, gray city into a lush, green world mirrors the changes that occur within Liam himself, demonstrating personal growth alongside external change.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children see how caring for something or someone else can lead to mutual benefits and personal development.