Whose Garden Is It?

by Mary Ann Hoberman (Writer)

This rhyming story for young children explains the cycle of life in a backyard garden. Narrated by the author. Ages 3 and up 10 minutes

Genres: Picture Books, Gardening, Childrens, Poetry, Summer, Fiction, Storytime

DVD

First published May 1, 2004

About the author

Mary Ann Hoberman was an American author of over 30 children's books.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun way to show that it takes many things to make a garden grow. A strolling grandmother (older mom?) and baby pass by a garden and wonder "Whose garden is it?" The gardener proudly declares that it is his, of course. But, then a bunny says it is his, a gopher says it is his, a butterfly says it is hers, and so on until we get to weeds and seeds and sunshine and rain. I'm not sure how I feel about all these things seeming to be possessive and in competition with one another for "ownership" of the garden (can't there just be harmony?) but it's still a creative way to show the elements that make up a garden.
ETA: I'm bumping this to four stars. My children loved it and I do think the "competition" can be shown in its absurdity that really it takes all those elements to make a garden. I love Mary Ann Hoberman's rhymes, they are wonderful for read aloud!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. McGee went out walking one day, and she takes a tour of a garden, where the gardener, the flowers, weeds, chipmunks, rabbits, soil, sun, rain, trees, worms, etc. all claim that the garden belongs to them and make their case. Kids can learn about the different things in the garden and what they do, and it raises an interesting philosophical question if you want to go down that road. It's written in verse, and the rhyming/rhythm is good; I didn't have to figure out how the syllables and beats fit together.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute story, loved the pictures!

[Esther May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, I love the pictures, the poem and the idea of ownership. I am so glad that I came across this one.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ties into study of plants and spring. Good discussion starter.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time I've ever opened up a picture book and unearthed a cosmic question right on the first page. Wowee-hooray!

And not only because of the sumptuously delicious pictures by Jane Dyer.

* That question!
* That question from deep seeker Mary Ann Hoberman
* And all those answers! Each one so true!!

If you believe in God -- or experience God -- or both
You might find that every single answer in this book...
That every single answer from every speaker in this adorable book,
That every single answer takes you to the essence
To the essence of the greatest love story
One such love story each
For everyone alive.

Onto my shelf for HIGHEST PRAISE for a children's book about God.

[Sophia Sowle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and engagin story that shows a woman passing a beautiful garden and wondering whose it is. Different animals among the garden argue over whose garden it really is showing how important each element of nature is. Good book to use in the classroom to show natures role.

[JosiePosy3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked that all the animals and plants said something. The farmer said, “It is my garden.” The old woman looked at it. Then the roots talked. I liked the pictures. - Josie, age 6

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is sweet with a sweet message about all things working together to create something beautiful.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rhyming look at all the animals, people, and environmental work it takes to make a beautiful garden. I do different voices for all the different characters and it keeps younger audiences engaged.

[Erin Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does the garden belong to the soil, sun, weeds, seeds??? Great conversation starter with kids who are mine, mine, mine! Who does it all really belong to?

[Tionna Dorsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Whose Garden Is It? by Mary Ann Hoberman is part of the poetry collection. Mary Ann Hoberman had received the Award for Excellence in poetry for young children in 2003. The age recommended for this book is children 5-8 years old (P)Primary.

The story is about a beautiful garden that everyone wants to take credit for, and believing that their the reason for the garden being so blossomed and pretty. From the sun, to the rain, to the trees their all claiming the garden as their own. The garden does actually belong to a man in the neighborhood, but without the help of the sun, rain and trees nurturing it, it wouldn't be so pretty.

I rated this book with 4 stars. By looking at the front cover, a young reader wouldn't think this book would talk about so many different animals in it. I wasn't expecting the story to go in the direction it did, but it was interesting and kept my attention. From the snake, to the flea, to the beetle, they were all vocal about their contributions to such a beautiful garden. This is a rhyming story that seems to have a water color and outline style in the pictures. The word choice throughout the book was great. The author used words like: bragged, grumbled and groaned when the animals were speaking up about the garden. A theme for this story could be "nature versus nurture".

I would recommend this book to young readers age 5-8 years old.

[Jess Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I like best about Hoberman's book is the completely unanswered question, "Whose garden is it?" As the book progresses we wonder if it might belong to the gardener, or the rabbit, or even the sun. In the end, rather than answer the question out flat, she simply poses the question to the reader or listener. I love that it enables kids to explore and imagine their own answer to the question--without it being right or wrong. Great for preschool to early elementary.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on understanding gardening, adult or children's. Is it the gardener's garden or the worm's who loosens the soil? Here are lessons that every gardener needs to remember. Can any person or animal 'own' a garden?
And if that weren't enough, the illustrations alone are worth buying the book. Like the words, they are lovely.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 This is a good little book about a garden. It takes all sort of parts to make a garden... it isn't just the gardener, it takes worms, bees, butterflies, rain, sunlight etc... etc.

The writing is good, the prose are good and they flow! The pictures are really good! Good story time book about gardens, or to talk about what it takes to make a garden grow!

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read during pre-k class visit on 6/12/13: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

Read during pre-k class visit on 6/13/13: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good wondering book, enjoyable illustrations, and nicely connected expanse of all the contributing parties to the flourishing of the garden. I tired very quickly of the animals being dressed up like people and the sun with a smiling face - too cute for the earthiness of a garden.

[CalebJacobOwenZac · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than the boys. They sat through it and liked the pictures and story but not sure if they got the concept completely. Caleb (5) kept saying whose garden he thought it was :) and then of course in the end it asks "Whose garden is it?" He thought it was the gardener's garden

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

a little too long for storytime I think but could work if you have the right crowd. All the animals in the garden think the garden is just for them but who does the garden really belong too? Does one individual really make the garden work all by themselves.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long for Family Storytime, but lovely illustrations, bouncy rhyme, and tons of critters and tons of other things you'd find in a garden. Suited to an older crowd who could handle the length, or one to be shortened for a younger set.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

flowers, outdoors, nature, garden, animals, bugs

rhymes

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice graphics and gentle way of explaining the components of a successful garden.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed to be a little long for my usually story time audience of 2's and 3's. I'll have to keep it in mind for older groups next spring.

[Christine Berger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book a couple years ago and remembered it fondly. Sweet, thoughtful rhyming book with beautiful illustrations.

[CFAITC]

Mrs. McGee explores that the garden really belongs to the insects, the gardener, and the mammals.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love!!!!! Good for science, rhyming, pattern, and super cute!

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read with Naomi and Julia.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libby's commentary... the book does not answer the question.