Has a soothing rhythm and a gentle personality.
“Magnolia and Lily lived on a farm with lots of wide-open space to play. Mama was a free spirit. Her name was Rose. Daddy called them his wildflower bouquet.” You are warmly invited to meet this untamed family of nature-loving, glad-hearted souls. Talented at working their bounteous garden, Mama Rose takes advantage of every opportunity to nurture a fondness for the outdoors while saving lots of time for play. Following Rose’s enthusiastic example, Magnolia and Lily are eager to plant seeds of their own, hoping to share the bounty when their veggies bear fruit. While watering their plants one day, the ever-observant sisters discover a friendly little toad relaxing in the pumpkin patch. The toad, whom the girls name Wilbur, must appreciate the curious attention from them since he decides to spend the entire season in their garden. Bringing a smile to their cherubic faces, Wilbur’s antics are as colorful as the fresh vegetables that the girls begin to harvest. On a farm, things are always growing and changing, and Wilbur is no exception. The “wildflower bouquet” gets to enjoy first hand all these dramatic transformations, including a delightfully toady surprise at the end.
Warm and cozy, Wilbur and the Watering Can has a soothing rhythm and a gentle personality. There are so many small touches that really help paint a picture of who these charming ladies are and the kind of life they enjoy. I love how Rose is barefooted and almost always wearing jewelry in the garden, not afraid to put a fashion foot forward. Lily and Magnolia’s happy faces constantly and effortlessly reflect their inquisitive and contented nature. Even the expressions and curious looks from the bunnies, the ladybug, the cat and other animals illustrate just how vibrant and cheerful everything on this farm is. If children haven’t had a chance to grow their own plants, this lively story will provide many opportunities to talk about what it takes to grow food and how we have to share our space with all sorts of creatures, even if we aren’t expecting them. With appealing illustrations and an endearing, realistic story, kids will want to read about Rose and her quirky farm again and again. Nature-forward and thrumming with vitality, Wilbur and the Watering Can is a breath of fresh air for readers young and old!
