The Wonder Garden - Nature Myths and Tales from All the World Over for Story-Telling and Reading Aloud and for the Children's Own Reading: Illustrated by Milo Winter
What’s inside...
This 'Wonder Book', written by Frances Jenkins Olcott and illustrated by Milo Winter, is a collection of over 150 nature myths and tales from around the world. The 500-page book includes tales of flowers, fairies, dragons, talking birds, magic waters, and enchanted forests. Milo Winter, known for his animal drawings and work in the 'Golden Age' of illustration, enhances the stories with his detailed and personality-filled illustrations. The book captures the themes of transformation, joy, and the natural world, engaging children with its delightful storytelling and imagery.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-17
Length
500 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What myth did you find most interesting, and why?
How do the stories in 'The Wonder Garden' show the importance of nature?
Can you think of a tale from the book where a character learned an important lesson? What was it?
If you could meet any character from these myths, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Which mythical world from the book would you like to visit and what do you imagine you might see there?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts by listening attentively and asking follow-up questions based on their answers.
Connect the myths to real-life situations to help your child see the relevance of the tales in their own experiences.
Use expressive reading techniques like varying your tone and volume to make the myths more vivid and engaging.
After reading a myth, ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character. Discuss their artwork to delve deeper into their interpretation of the story.
Suggest re-reading their favorite myth together and then creating an alternate ending, fostering creative thinking and engagement with the text.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: Through various myths and tales, the book emphasizes the importance and sacredness of different elements of nature.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and care for the environment around them, fostering a sense of responsibility towards nature.
Example Lesson: Cultural Awareness and Diversity
Explanation: The stories collected from different parts of the world help children understand and appreciate cultural diversity.
Real-World Application: This knowledge helps children develop open-mindedness and respect towards people from different cultural backgrounds in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: The Power of Curiosity
Explanation: Many stories provoke curiosity and explore the consequences of adventurous spirits.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to ask questions and explore the world around them, enhancing their learning and understanding.
Example Lesson: Moral Integrity
Explanation: Several tales focus on characters making morally significant decisions, highlighting the virtues of honesty and kindness.
Real-World Application: Children are taught the value of making ethical choices and the impact of these choices on their personal lives and on others.
Example Lesson: Resilience and Problem Solving
Explanation: The characters often face challenges or dilemmas that they need to overcome, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to persevere through difficulties they encounter and think critically to solve problems.