Status
Available
Call number
Description
In this version of the classic song "Old MacDonald Had a Farm," the farmer's granddaughter plants a garden which provides a place for birds, insects, and other wild creatures to shelter and nest. Backmatter presents facts and activities related to this lively ecosystem.
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Dawn Publications (2013), Edition: Illustrated, 26 pages
Media reviews
Catholic Library World
Jo and her cousin plant a vegetable garden, with some help from Old MacDonald. As the growing season progresses, they tend their garden and harvest its produce. Then the garden sleeps for the winter, and they begin planting again in the spring. The text, like the other title in the series (Jo
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MacDonald Saw a Pond), is set to the tune of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.” It is an easy text to use for story time. Illustrator Laura J. Bryant chose natural colors with charming details. For example, a fluttering butterfly hides under a bird bath and a tiny bee clings to the bottom of a leaf. The story is filled with growth and change, and the artwork reflects the liveliness. This is a more active book than Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond. The author notes that “kids are more than twice as likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they grow them.” A disappointment was that this “nature awareness” series, as the publisher calls it, was not printed on recycled paper. Helpful information and ideas about gardening and garden creatures are presented in the last pages of the book. School and public libraries should consider adding this title. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Young Jo MacDonald, the granddaughter of Old MacDonald, returns in this second sing-along picture-book devoted to her adventures. Having explored the lentic world in Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond, she turns now to cultivating a garden, working with her cousin to plant, tend and harvest a variety of
Like its predecessor, I enjoyed Jo MacDonald Had a Garden, humming along to the traditional tune of Old MacDonald Had a Farm as I read. Both entertaining and educational - there is an informative afterword that explores all of the flora and faun depicted in the book, and offers suggestions for activities - it would make an excellent selection for a garden-themed story-hour, or as part of a discussion of ecology and our relationship to the environment. The gentle watercolor illustrations by Laura J. Bryant, who also worked on the first Jo MacDonald book, are just lovely, and well suited to each scene. All in all, a charming little picture-book, one I would recommend to young gardeners, as well as to children who enjoyed the first Jo MacDonald story. For my part, I am pleased to see that a third title, Jo MacDonald Hiked in the Woods, is due out later this year.
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vegetables. "Jo MacDonald had a garden, / E-I-E-I-O. / And in that garden was some sun, / E-I-E-I-O. / With glow-glow here / And a glow-glow there, / Here a glow, there a glow, / Everywhere a glow-glow. / Jo MacDonald had a garden, / E-I-E-I-O," the story begins, going on to celebrate the soil, the creatures and the plants found in the garden, as well as the feast it produces at harvest-time.Like its predecessor, I enjoyed Jo MacDonald Had a Garden, humming along to the traditional tune of Old MacDonald Had a Farm as I read. Both entertaining and educational - there is an informative afterword that explores all of the flora and faun depicted in the book, and offers suggestions for activities - it would make an excellent selection for a garden-themed story-hour, or as part of a discussion of ecology and our relationship to the environment. The gentle watercolor illustrations by Laura J. Bryant, who also worked on the first Jo MacDonald book, are just lovely, and well suited to each scene. All in all, a charming little picture-book, one I would recommend to young gardeners, as well as to children who enjoyed the first Jo MacDonald story. For my part, I am pleased to see that a third title, Jo MacDonald Hiked in the Woods, is due out later this year.
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LibraryThing member Homeschoolbookreview
If you had a garden, what would you plant in it? Or if you do have one, what do you plant? First, we all know that “Old MacDonald had a farm.” Then we found out that on this farm his granddaughter Jo MacDonald Saw Pond. Now, Jo plants, tends, and harvests a garden on her grandfather’s farm,
So, what did Jo plant in her garden and what will she reap? Many people have found gardening to be a pleasurable activity for a number of reasons, whether they have a big farm garden or a small city garden. It gets one outdoors and provides some good exercise. Furthermore, home grown food is tastier and more nutritious than store-bought produce, and it saves money too. The back pages of the book increase the educational experience of the reader by giving more information about the garden community, sharing some indoor activities that will enable children to enjoy garden-related fun year round, explaining how to be a gardener like Jo, and providing resources for helping young gardeners. There are also additional downloadable activities for this and all other Dawn Publication books at their website.
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with help from her cousin Mike. So Mary Quattlebaum’s cute text, following the rhythm and tune of the well-known song, and Laura J. Bryant’s adorable water-color illustrations which accompany it, will acquaint youngsters with all the elements of a successful garden, including sunshine, soil, worms, seeds, water, birds, and rain, as well as the bountiful results.So, what did Jo plant in her garden and what will she reap? Many people have found gardening to be a pleasurable activity for a number of reasons, whether they have a big farm garden or a small city garden. It gets one outdoors and provides some good exercise. Furthermore, home grown food is tastier and more nutritious than store-bought produce, and it saves money too. The back pages of the book increase the educational experience of the reader by giving more information about the garden community, sharing some indoor activities that will enable children to enjoy garden-related fun year round, explaining how to be a gardener like Jo, and providing resources for helping young gardeners. There are also additional downloadable activities for this and all other Dawn Publication books at their website.
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LibraryThing member KristiBernard
Planting a garden can provide food for people and animals. Birds, insects and other creatures can settle down in a safe Eco-friendly environment that children can be proud of. Children will also love watching their newly planted garden sprout to life. Children can read along and sing a song to the
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tune of “Old McDonald Had A Farm” with Jo, the granddaughter of Old McDonald, and her friend. Young readers and parents too, will clap their hands and tap their toes while watching the progress of the garden appear from one page to the next. Jo and her friend plant radishes, lettuce, sunflowers and summer squash. They water and till the soil and watch their garden grow and grow. “And in that garden flew a bird, E-I-E-I-O. With a flit-flit here and a flit-flit there, here a flit, there a flit, everywhere a flit-flit. Jo MacDonald had a garden, E-I-E-I-O.” Quattlebaum has created a fun way to teach children about gardening. Soft pastel illustrations truly invite young readers along to plant, sing and learn about gardens. The back of the book offers information about community gardening. Kids will learn how earthworms are a gardener's best friend or how toads eat pesky insects that can harm the plants. Also included are indoor activities, how to be a beginning gardener and website resources that will help readers choose and cultivate the most suitable seeds and plants. Show Less
LibraryThing member Supera710
I won a copy of Jo Macdonald had a Garden from LT. Here's my review.
What a wonderful book! I was trying to come up with a way to get my 3 yr old interested in helping me plant some veggies and flowers, and I believe this book piqued her interest more than if I would've just brought the idea up on
What a wonderful book! I was trying to come up with a way to get my 3 yr old interested in helping me plant some veggies and flowers, and I believe this book piqued her interest more than if I would've just brought the idea up on
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my own! She of course knows the song, and now sings it every time we check on our "harvest" . I need to find more books like this! Show Less
LibraryThing member Sullywriter
"Old MacDonald Had a Farm" is playfully adapted to explain gardening to young readers.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I was so excited by the idea of this one when I first ordered it. I liked the idea of Old MacDonald's Daughter getting a song. Unfortunately it just felt a little too long and a little too repetitive for me, most likely b/c I couldn't stop myself from singing it in my head and I usually stop at 4
I will admit that it felt like a nice way to present the information, the illustrations were very nice and I liked the informational/reading guide section in the back. I'm thinking of trying to get the powers that be to let me do a planting program. A story about plants, a diagram w/ the parts of the plant, decorating some flower pots and then calling it a day. This might be a good story if I can get past my MEH feelings about it.
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animals. I will admit that it felt like a nice way to present the information, the illustrations were very nice and I liked the informational/reading guide section in the back. I'm thinking of trying to get the powers that be to let me do a planting program. A story about plants, a diagram w/ the parts of the plant, decorating some flower pots and then calling it a day. This might be a good story if I can get past my MEH feelings about it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I was so excited by the idea of this one when I first ordered it. I liked the idea of Old MacDonald's Daughter getting a song. Unfortunately it just felt a little too long and a little too repetitive for me, most likely b/c I couldn't stop myself from singing it in my head and I usually stop at 4
I will admit that it felt like a nice way to present the information, the illustrations were very nice and I liked the informational/reading guide section in the back. I'm thinking of trying to get the powers that be to let me do a planting program. A story about plants, a diagram w/ the parts of the plant, decorating some flower pots and then calling it a day. This might be a good story if I can get past my MEH feelings about it.
Show More
animals. I will admit that it felt like a nice way to present the information, the illustrations were very nice and I liked the informational/reading guide section in the back. I'm thinking of trying to get the powers that be to let me do a planting program. A story about plants, a diagram w/ the parts of the plant, decorating some flower pots and then calling it a day. This might be a good story if I can get past my MEH feelings about it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I was so excited by the idea of this one when I first ordered it. I liked the idea of Old MacDonald's Daughter getting a song. Unfortunately it just felt a little too long and a little too repetitive for me, most likely b/c I couldn't stop myself from singing it in my head and I usually stop at 4
I will admit that it felt like a nice way to present the information, the illustrations were very nice and I liked the informational/reading guide section in the back. I'm thinking of trying to get the powers that be to let me do a planting program. A story about plants, a diagram w/ the parts of the plant, decorating some flower pots and then calling it a day. This might be a good story if I can get past my MEH feelings about it.
Show More
animals. I will admit that it felt like a nice way to present the information, the illustrations were very nice and I liked the informational/reading guide section in the back. I'm thinking of trying to get the powers that be to let me do a planting program. A story about plants, a diagram w/ the parts of the plant, decorating some flower pots and then calling it a day. This might be a good story if I can get past my MEH feelings about it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I was so excited by the idea of this one when I first ordered it. I liked the idea of Old MacDonald's Daughter getting a song. Unfortunately it just felt a little too long and a little too repetitive for me, most likely b/c I couldn't stop myself from singing it in my head and I usually stop at 4
I will admit that it felt like a nice way to present the information, the illustrations were very nice and I liked the informational/reading guide section in the back. I'm thinking of trying to get the powers that be to let me do a planting program. A story about plants, a diagram w/ the parts of the plant, decorating some flower pots and then calling it a day. This might be a good story if I can get past my MEH feelings about it.
Show More
animals. I will admit that it felt like a nice way to present the information, the illustrations were very nice and I liked the informational/reading guide section in the back. I'm thinking of trying to get the powers that be to let me do a planting program. A story about plants, a diagram w/ the parts of the plant, decorating some flower pots and then calling it a day. This might be a good story if I can get past my MEH feelings about it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member KEFeeney
A great picture book to engage children when read to the tune of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and adding simple actions to suit the story. Full of charming and colorful illustrations showing planting, watering, and other garden activities. The book also includes terms, activites, and resources for
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young gardeners. Toddlers and preschoolers at my library storytime really enjoyed interacting with the story and learning how to tend a garden. Show Less
LibraryThing member KEFeeney
A great picture book to engage children when read to the tune of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and adding simple actions to suit the story. Full of charming and colorful illustrations showing planting, watering, and other garden activities. The book also includes terms, activites, and resources for
Show More
young gardeners. Toddlers and preschoolers at my library storytime really enjoyed interacting with the story and learning how to tend a garden. Show Less
LibraryThing member KEFeeney
A great picture book to engage children when read to the tune of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and adding simple actions to suit the story. Full of charming and colorful illustrations showing planting, watering, and other garden activities. The book also includes terms, activites, and resources for
Show More
young gardeners. Toddlers and preschoolers at my library storytime really enjoyed interacting with the story and learning how to tend a garden. Show Less
LibraryThing member KEFeeney
A great picture book to engage children when read to the tune of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and adding simple actions to suit the story. Full of charming and colorful illustrations showing planting, watering, and other garden activities. The book also includes terms, activites, and resources for
Show More
young gardeners. Toddlers and preschoolers at my library storytime really enjoyed interacting with the story and learning how to tend a garden. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
26 p.; 7.75 x 6.75 inches
ISBN
1584692251 / 9781584692256