The Concrete Garden
Amanda and her mom make their way from their apartment on the fifteenth floor to the street below with a box filled with colorful chalk. Amanda not only begins to draw an image, but draws attention from other children, too, as they join and expand the artwork. Soon, the sidewalk is filled with palm trees, clouds, an alien invader, and much more, all overseen by a Queen of Swirls. Even the neighborhood dog takes creative license and adds to the drawing. A rain shower at the end of the day does not dampen the community spirit and creative collaboration. The watercolor illustrations are the perfect choice to highlight the blend of rain and chalk. In this garden, imagination and creativity bloom.
Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards
Book Activities & Discussion Ideas
This is a story about children working together to brighten their world, and the lives of people around them. Relate this to the children’s own lives, giving them examples of how they brighten the world for folks around them, e.g., by sharing their artwork, making greeting cards, giving friendly hellos, being kind and helpful.
This story easily inspires related projects. Children can create their own art by making a mural to display in a hallway or covered area where folks who pass by can admire it. They can also become scientists and engineers by experimenting with adding water drops to chalk drawings, or constructing boats from old boxes, and then testing them out in a water table.
Families who are not city apartment dwellers, may want to preview the story by looking through the illustrations, talking with children about ways that Amanda’s city living differs from theirs--- concrete surrounding the building, laundry drying on balconies, and SO many nearby children to play with! While reading the story, adults can point out how the children’s artwork brought cheer and happiness to the families in the building—and add, just as your child’s artwork does for you!
After reading, adults can support children’s imaginations by playing the game, “Where are you and What are you doing?” Turn to the double-page spread of the children’s artwork. Then say, “Let’s pretend that we live in that building and want to help make the picture.” Take turns pointing to a spot in the picture where you would like to be, and tell what you would draw there, as well as the colors you would use. Your child might like playing this game with illustrations in other books as well.