Paddington in the Garden

     There is nothing quite like the joy that I receive from working in a garden. Putting on my gloves and getting my hands deep into the dirt to create something beautiful and hopefully, long lasting, is quite literally the perfect antidote to anything that is bothering my inner self. For your little ones, the benefits of learning how to create their own garden are plentiful-- from working cooperatively in a group or just alongside mom or dad to gaining knowledge about science, nature and nutrition.  Stories, like author Michael Bonds's Paddington in the Garden (combining two of my favorite things--bears and gardens!) that are inspired by the joys of planting and nurturing flowers and vegetables are an excellent way to introduce the simply enchanting wonder that a garden can bring to your little ones.

       As our story begins, the beloved bear from the darkest Peru, is living a happy, serene life with the Brown's.  One day, the family decides to give Paddington his very own section in the garden.  Paddington, thrilled at the idea of creating and growing his very own patch, sets off on an journey to scourer the neighborhood searching for treasures and ideas.  An adventure that turns out, in typical Paddington fashion, is filled with mishaps.  Will a mistake involving Paddington's favorite orange marmalade and cement turn out to be a simply unique success?
        Yet another sweetly colorful, engaging story in the latest reissue of the classic tales of the lovable brown bear will not disappoint.

Paddington in the Garden
Written by Michael Bond and Illustrated by R. W. Alley
Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-231844-2
For ages 4 thru 8
Retails for $17.99 (Hardcover)