SuitabookA Year in Our New Garden
Gerda Muller
- Reading
- Read it in seasonal sections rather than rushing through. Pause over the illustrations and information panels, then choose one realistic recipe, observation or planting idea to discuss rather than attempting everything.
- Themes
- Growing together: Anna and Benjamin work on the garden with family support and help from their neighbour Louis, sharing tasks and learning about plants and wildlife. The book presents cooperation, curiosity and practical participation as valuable parts of garden life.
- Nature and seasonal change: The children plant, harvest, spot wildlife and observe changes in the garden over a year, alongside factual and practical material. The informational sections appear intended to explain gardening and natural changes while the story makes those ideas concrete.
- Belonging and representation: Louis, a neighbour who uses a wheelchair, is shown participating in the gardening; a small illustration may depict children in feather headdresses alongside a reference to Native Americans. The reported participation suggests an active role for Louis, while the flagged imagery warrants a thoughtful conversation rather than a fixed judgement about the whole book.
- Worth knowing
- A small illustration may use feather headdresses in its depiction of Native Americans.