Tips for parents and educators

This guide provides parents and educators with fun, interactive ideas to enhance the reading experience and learning opportunities of Binx and The Garden of Carrots. Use these tips to create a memorable and educational story time!

Interactive Activities

Guessing Game

• Before revealing the animals (Willow, Hazel, Rusty), encourage children to guess who might appear based on the sounds.
  • Ask: "Who do you think is making that sound?"

Movement Fun

• Mimic Binx’s hoppity hop movements and encourage kids to join in.
  • Say: "Let’s hop like Binx! Hoppity hop! Hoppity hop!"
     

Discussion Points

Kindness and Sharing

• After the story, ask:
  • "Why do you think Binx shared his carrots even when the animals didn’t eat them?"
• Encourage kids to talk about times they’ve shared something or helped a friend.

Feelings and Emotions

• Explore how Binx might have felt:
  • "How do you think Binx felt when he couldn’t find carrots?"
  • "How do you think he felt after sharing with his friends?"

    

Language and Rhythm

Repetition and Rhymes

• Highlight repetitive phrases like:
  • "Hoppity hop! Hoppity hop! Hoppity hoppity hop!"
• Let kids join in while reading aloud to build rhythm and anticipation.  

Nature Connection

• Talk about the real animals in the story (bunnies, owls, squirrels, foxes):
  • Discuss what they eat and where they live.
  • Encourage kids to share any experiences they’ve had with these animals.  

Creative Craft Activity

Binx’s Sack

• Provide kids with materials to make and decorate their own carrot sack, just like Binx’s:
  • Use small paper bags, fabric, or craft paper.
  • Let them draw carrots, animals, or other fun designs.
  • Pretend to collect items together for a hands-on storytelling activity.

    

By combining movement, discussion, and creativity, you can transform Binx and The Garden of Carrots into a fun and meaningful learning experience. Perfect for story time at home or in the classroom!