Tag Archives: gardening

THe Best Laid Plans: A Review of ‘Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!

 “Time to plant my garden….or as the local bunnies call it, “my all-you-can-eat buffet.” – Maxine

Reading Level

Pre-K – Grade 3, Ages 3 – 8

AR 2.4 (0.5 points)

Review and Comments

No matter how carefully a project is planned, something may still go wrong with it. Mr. McGreely experiences this very thing when he plants his own garden so he can have wonderful fresh vegetables to eat.  He works very hard to establish a healthy garden and is pleased and proud of his abundant yield.  But as soon as the vegetables are ready to harvest, he finds evidence that three young and very hungry bunnies have nibbled on his plants. “Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!”  Mr. McGreely is so angry he fortifies his garden with a fence that he is confident will do the trick.  The next night and every night after that, however, it’s “Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!” as the bunnies continue to feast despite each new barrier Mr. Greely builds. In order to protect his garden, Mr. McGreely builds: a higher fence, a tall wooden wall, a trench, and an “enormous thing” with a lock.  But as the story progresses it is obvious that nothing can stop those determined bunnies.  Continue reading THe Best Laid Plans: A Review of ‘Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!

Learning to Be Generous: A Review of ‘If you Plant a Seed’

“For it is in giving that we receive.” – St. Francis of Assisi

“Acts of generosity are a source of blessing to the giver as well as the receiver.” – St. John Chrysostom

Reading level

Pre-K – Grade 2

Review and Comments

If You Plant a Seed is a wonderful book that will inspire young children. The story expresses how deliberate selfishness and then small acts of kindness can transform into either negative or positive events. The absolutely beautiful illustrations visually capture the imagination and perfectly enhance this story of few words.

It all begins when a rabbit and mouse plant a variety of vegetable seeds in a garden.  While they wait for the seeds to grow, the reader can inspect and enjoy the illustrations of time passing. Finally, the plants are perfectly delicious looking, and the pleasure of the two friends is obvious.  In the midst of the mouse and rabbit enjoying their garden meal, a few bird friends are watching…. hungrily staring actually. It is very obvious they want some of the garden bounty also. 

Continue reading Learning to Be Generous: A Review of ‘If you Plant a Seed’