| Holly Bloom's Garden Written by Sarah Ashman and Nancy Parent Illustrated by Lori Mitchell |
| Topics for Discussion or Writing |
Creative problem-solving:
It’s not always easy to solve problems. In fact, problems become problems because
they’re not easy to solve.
Creating your own successes:
There’s a famous saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again.”
Finding your talent:
We often think of talent as an ability to perform. Athletes, dancers and singers are
certainly talented. But everyone has something they do well. Talent is a natural
ability to do something well. Perhaps you cook, do math or tell stories.
Animals have talents, too. Beavers build dams; some dogs can find people who
are lost.
Nicknames
Holly’s parents call her nicknames. Her mother calls her Sweetpea and her father
calls her Ladybug. Holly seems to like her nicknames but some people prefer to be
called by their given names.
Vocabulary
Emotions
It’s not always easy to solve problems. In fact, problems become problems because
they’re not easy to solve.
- What was Holly’s problem? How did she solve her problem?
Think about a situation or experience in your own life. How could you have
handled things differently to change the outcome? Try making a list of
what you could do the next time a problem arises. Then keep the list
handy!
Creating your own successes:
There’s a famous saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again.”
- What does that mean? How did Holly make that saying work for her?
Have you ever had to keep trying at something until you figured out how to
do it? What did you do to achieve success?
Finding your talent:
We often think of talent as an ability to perform. Athletes, dancers and singers are
certainly talented. But everyone has something they do well. Talent is a natural
ability to do something well. Perhaps you cook, do math or tell stories.
- What do you do especially well? What talents do other members of your
family have?
Animals have talents, too. Beavers build dams; some dogs can find people who
are lost.
- Research other animals. What are their talents and abilities?
Nicknames
Holly’s parents call her nicknames. Her mother calls her Sweetpea and her father
calls her Ladybug. Holly seems to like her nicknames but some people prefer to be
called by their given names.
- Do you have any nicknames? How do you feel about them? Does anyone
in your family have any nicknames?
If someone called you a nickname you didn’t like, how would you respond?
Vocabulary
- Define these words:
Jealous / Satisfied / Successful / Creative / Grouchy / Ability / Talent
Use each word in two sentences. The first sentence should be about Holly.
The second sentence should be about you.
Emotions
- Holly experiences many emotions in this story. Some of them are in the
vocabulary you just learned. Can you think of other emotions Holly feels
during this story?
Choose an emotion and act it out.
| Picture Books That Explore and Illuminate |
