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<\/a><\/p>\nWe stretched and read a book that was longer and a bit more complex during our toddler storytime today – Zinnia’s Flower Garden<\/em> <\/strong>by Monica Wellington.\u00a0 I am proud of how well the toddlers listened and remained engaged, even though there were more words per page.\u00a0 The main character, Zinnia is actually a young gardener.\u00a0 We watch her plant seeds, water them, tend to the soil and nurture their growth into plants.\u00a0 Her efforts pay off when she sees small green buds appear…then a few weeks later, the first flower blooms…a bit after that, the entire garden is awash with flowers.\u00a0 Informational tidbits about what plants need to grow and thrive are peppered throughout the story.\u00a0 The visuals are bright and colorful and the text is clear and easy to read.\u00a0 Actually a big hit with the group!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n OUR FLANNEL BOARD:<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s Something in My Garden <\/strong><\/p>\n [Artfelt has a There\u2019s Something in My Garden<\/span><\/a> felt puppet set. Add as many animals as you want and the rhyming fun continues. Children love the suspense before the finger puppet is revealed.]<\/p>\n There\u2019s something in my garden, There\u2019s something in my garden, There\u2019s something in my garden, There\u2019s something in my garden, Credit:\u00a0 Sur la Lane<\/em><\/p>\n OUR SECOND BOOK:<\/strong><\/p>\n I Have a Garden<\/em> <\/strong>by Bob Barner<\/p>\n Dog takes us for a tour of his garden and we see everything he has there…a frog, a bug, a butterfly, a snail…and, of course, many flowers.\u00a0 (I used accompanying flannel pieces to help bring another dimension to the story.)\u00a0 What eventually\u00a0takes us by surprise is Dog’s pronouncement that the garden is ONLY for HIM!\u00a0\u00a0A page later\u00a0he softens and claims “This garden is for us…ALL OF US!”\u00a0\u00a0 A simple story that teaches children about the many things one finds in a garden and the beauty of sharing nature’s bounty.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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\nNow what can it be?
\nThere\u2019s something in my garden
\nThat I can\u2019t really see.
\nHear its funny sound….
\nRIBBIT – RIBBIT – RIBBIT.
\nA FROG is what I found!
\nRIBBIT – RIBBIT – RIBBIT.<\/p>\n
\nNow what can it be?
\nThere\u2019s something in my garden,
\nThat I can\u2019t really see.
\nHear its funny sound….
\nTHUMP – THUMP – THUMP.
\nA RABBIT is what I found!
\nTHUMP – THUMP – THUMP<\/p>\n
\nNow what can it be?
\nThere\u2019s something in my garden,
\nThat I can\u2019t really see.
\nHear its funny sound….
\nSQUEAK – SQUEAK – SQUEAK.
\nA MOUSE is what I found!
\nSQUEAK – SQUEAK – SQUEAK.<\/p>\n
\nNow what can it be?
\nThere\u2019s something in my garden,
\nThat I can\u2019t really see.
\nHear its funny sound….
\nCAW – CAW – CAW.
\nA CROW is what I found!
\nCAW – CAW – CAW.<\/p>\n
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