I was generously given a copy of Gracie’s Garden with no strings attached. I loved it so much I wanted to share it with you. As always, all opinions stated are my own. This post includes affiliate links for your convenience. I only share things that I truly love and think you will too. Clicking these links to purchase will help support my blog so I can keep creating fun things to share with you. You will never pay more by using an affiliate link. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Many times throughout COVID-19 I have joked about how one day I might look back at this season as the beginning of falling in love with the art of gardening. I am certainly no expert and have killed my fair share of plants along the way, but there has been something so life-giving about stepping out into the garden each morning.

Maybe it’s the little barefoot, bed-headed girls who dance through the garden as the early morning sun begins to shimmer through the zinnia’s. It might be the vibrant red cardinal who sings a good morning song from the top of my roof. Or perhaps it’s the delight of seeing the first seedling sprouting through the soil reminding me yet again of the hope and possibility of new life. Or maybe it’s all of these things wrapped into one that point me to the One who made it all — tangibly showing me that even though the world feels like it’s spinning out of control He is constant, faithful, unshaken, and sure.

Needless to say, the garden has been a source of great joy and meaningful lessons for our family over the past couple of months. This newfound passion is a big reason I was so thrilled to surprise the girls with a little backyard garden themed read aloud party the other day. The whole idea for this party was prompted by Lara Casey’s beautiful new garden themed book, Gracie’s Garden.

This book is absolutely gorgeous and the message is one that kids of all ages (and their mamas) need to hear. God grows all good things little by little by little — not overnight. It’s so easy in our culture to hurry hurry hurry and feel the need to do it all and do it right now. But the truth is that good things take time and there is so much goodness, beauty, and celebration that can happen in the waiting. Especially in the waiting. I love that this book teaches this important lesson to kiddos through an endearing story of three sweet siblings and a furry little friend in their backyard garden. Gracie’s Garden is whimsical, inspirational, and definitely one to add to your family bookshelf! If your kiddos are anything like mine, this book is one they’ll ask to read again and again.

Here’s a little video to give you a peek at the darling illustrations and storyline. You can also read more about why Lara wrote Gracie’s Garden here.

During this season especially I have been trying to find little ways to make our ordinary days more special. I’m so thrilled to share a fun idea with you today for a backyard garden themed read aloud party! This backyard garden themed read aloud is special, simple, and easily one of the highlights of our at home summer. I hope your family enjoys it as much as we did!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Garden themed books (Some of our favorites: Up in the Garden Down in the Dirt, Gracie’s Garden, When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree, Planting a Rainbow, The Gardener, The Extraordinary Gardener)
• Optional: A treat to serve, tea/lemonade, table decorations

While the girls were having quiet time I set up the table and put together a couple of decorations. I used a patterned napkin and a stack of garden books for the centerpiece as well as a few zinnia’s from our garden.

While it’s completely optional, I’ve found that our read aloud time is much quieter when a snack is involved. Since this was a last minute idea I didn’t have much on hand, but I pulled out a couple of our absolute favorite shortcakes from the freezer and served them sans the strawberries and whipped cream. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand!

For a fun little decoration, I attached garden stickers on white cardstock and secured them to wooden kebab skewers.

Once everything was all ready to go we headed outside for books and treats. My favorite combo!

Ready to create a garden themed backyard party of your own? Grab a few garden books, a tasty treat, and head on out to your backyard for a magical no perfection required garden themed read aloud time.

I hope you and your kiddos enjoy a slow and simple afternoon connecting over great books, treats, and the gift of being together. And remember sweet friends, good things grow little by little.

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