Let me count the ways I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this new book by Joanna Gaines and her kids. I can’t recommend this book enough!
We are the Gardeners is the perfect read aloud!
This book is full of science (plants) content and has a fantastic message about GROWTH MINDSET!
I just happened to see that Joanna Gaines was releasing a new kids book. We are the Gardeners is a book that she wrote with her children. I couldn’t wait to pick it up, so I ran to Barnes and Noble and purchased a copy.
I generally take a minute at the bookstore to read through a picture book before I buy it, but I was on a tight schedule so I just grabbed it and headed to the cashier.
As soon as I got home I cracked the book open. The first thing I noticed were the lovely illustrations. Julianna Swaney illustrated this book and I love the sense of calm she brings out with the illustrations. She captures the Gaines family so beautifully. Even baby Crew and shiplap walls are included!
While it seems that this book is about gardening, the heart of this book is the theme of how PERSEVERANCE and BRAVERY can lead us to success. That we mustn’t give up when we fail or when things seem hard. The good, important stuff in life is hard work!
This book is also full of tips on taking care of plants. The Gaines family learns how to care for their plants and garden through trial and error and through looking information up at the library.
I love how the family works together in this story! They sit down together to create a plan for their outdoor garden. They work together to plant, solve problems, and harvest.
This would also be a great book to read for Earth Day!
Some fun activities to go along with this book might be…
- Plan out a garden of your own. Show students the illustration in the book of the garden diagram. Give students a sheet of blank paper (or use the one I have included in the free resource pack) and ask students to draw a diagram of their perfect garden, including fruits and vegetables that they love to eat. Students could even research some plants and their requirements, if time permits.
- Create a list of gardening tips from the story. Work with students to chart a list of the growing tips that were included in the story. Students could create a poster, booklet, or list of the tips. (I have included a blank mini-booklet that students could use to write and illustrate the tips in the free resource packet.) Tips could include don’t overwater, find out how much light your plant needs- look to the plants leaves to see what it needs, talk to your plants, use good soil, keep the weeds out, keep the animals out, etc.
- Create a theme bookmark for this story. I love the theme in this book! It is so important for all humans- big and small. I have included a bookmark for students to complete in the free resource packet. Encourage your students to think about the moral, message, or lesson from the story that Joanna Gaines wants to stay with them. What lesson did the characters in this story learn?
💚 Grab the FREE activities to go with this book HERE! 💚
If you happen to be learning about plants when you read this book, you might be interested in this Plants Unit I have available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
I hope you will check We are the Gardeners out and love it as much as I do!
One Response
Hello, Regeana & I am so excited to begin this new project with all my 7 grandchildren & great grandson! We live on 4 acres with over 300 trees & we are always outside! Thank you & God bless!!