Lola Plants a Garden

by Anna McQuinn, Rosalind Beardshaw (Illustrator)

Overview

In this Lola Reads picture book, Lola learns how to plant a flower garden in this simple and sweet story about gardening and patience.

After Lola reads a book of garden poems, she wants to plant some flowers. She gets books from the library and chooses her plants. Then Lola and her mommy buy the seeds, make the garden, and mark the rows. Lola finds it hard to wait, but at last the flowers bloom. Now it's time for a party with her friends!

The Lola Reads series celebrates family time and togetherness through reading, special activities, and new adventures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781580896948
Publisher:	Charlesbridge
Publication date:	08/05/2014
Series:	Lola Reads , #4
Pages:	28
Sales rank:	348,141
Product dimensions:	9.70(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD470L (what's this?)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Anna McQuinn has worked in children's books for more than twenty-five years as an editor, publisher, and writer. She is the author of more than twenty books for children, including Lola at the Library, Lola Loves Stories, Lola Reads to Leo, The Sleep Sheep (Scholastic), and If You're Happy and You Know It! (Barefoot). Anna leads groups like Leo's at her local library.

Rosalind Beardshaw studied at Manchester Polytechnic where she earned a degree in illustration. Since graduating in 1992, she has illustrated many children's books, including two of her own stories; Grandma's Beach and Grandpa's Surprise (Bloomsbury) inspired by long summer holidays spent with her playful grandparents. In her spare time, Rosalind works as a volunteer with adults who have learning difficulties. She lives in York, England.

Read an Excerpt

Lola loves her book of garden poems.
Her favorite poem is the one about Mary Mary.
Lola wants to plant a garden. Mommy says there is room near the vegetables.
Lola gets books about gardens from the library.
She chooses her favorite flowers from the book.

Editorial Reviews

08/01/2014
PreS-Gr 1—Lola loves her book of garden poems. In fact, reading it inspires her to plant her own garden, so she and her mother look at flowers in books at the library, and she chooses her favorites. They purchase seeds, and Lola plants them and marks the rows with the seed packets. While she waits for something to appear, she makes her own garden book and includes her favorite poem, "Mary Mary." Finally, Lola sees tiny green shoots. She watches as her flowers grow higher and higher. Flowers are everywhere. Lola invites her friends for a picnic, because the best part of having a garden is sharing it. This fourth, sweet story about Lola delivers with brightly colored acrylic depictions of an adorable child sharing special moments with her mother, reading books, and patiently waiting for her seeds to grow. Lola's bright, cherubic face shows curiosity, joy, and determination as she completes her project. Large, clear type allows for beginning readers to share the story with their parents. Engaging and inspiring to new gardeners everywhere, Lola is a delight.—Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH

School Library Journal

2014-06-10
Hoping to have a garden like the one in her poetry book, Lola plants seeds, waits and weeds, and finally celebrates with friends.The author and illustrator of Lola Loves Stories (2010) and its companion titles take their appealing character outside. Inspired by her favorite poem, the nursery rhyme “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary” (repeated on the front endpapers), Lola chooses her favorite flowers from library books. Helped by her parents, she grows a grandly diverse flower garden, just right for a celebration with peas and strawberries from the family plot. Beardshaw’s acrylic illustrations show her garden in all its stages. They also show the copper-toned preschooler reading on her mother’s lap, making a flower book, a beaded string with bells and shells, a little Mary Mary doll and cupcakes for the celebration. Her bunchy ponytails are redone, and her flower shirt is perfect for the party. Not only has she provided the setting; she makes up a story for her friends. The simple sentences of the text and charming pictures make this a good choice for reading aloud or early reading alone. On the rear endpapers, the nursery rhyme has been adapted to celebrate “Lola, Lola, Extraordinary.”It’s gratifying to see Lola’s love of books leading her to new experiences. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews

Fans of Lola at the Library will love getting to see Lola put her reading skills to good use: planning her new garden! After reading a book of garden poetry, Lola sets out to research what plants will grow best and how to prepare her plot. Then she and her mother plant the seeds, water, and wait to see what happens. . . . This sweet story celebrates the excitement of planting your first garden, as well as the power that comes from reading.


PRAISE FOR LOLA
Lola at the Library "Perfect for instilling a love of libraries and books in the youngest patrons, it's a winner."
—School Library Journal Lola Loves Stories
"The simple and straightforward text is easy to read, and the bright, acrylic illustrations are eye-catching. This engaging depiction of a child's enthusiasm for being read to is an excellent choice for libraries." —School Library Journal, starred review

Lola Reads to Leo
"A welcome edition about a welcome addition." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher