Rose and her daughters, Magnolia and Lily, are gardeners. They normally have one big garden, but Magnolia and Lily want to have their own garden this year in which they will grow pumpkins, tomatoes, snow peas, and other veggies. While watering their garden, they discover a mystery. A leaf is moving and going kerplop all by itself. Underneath the leaf, they find a new friend: a toad.
This book shows that gardening together as a family is full of memorable experiences. Plenty of beautiful flowers and luscious veggies seen in the pictures show the benefits of their hard work.
So where does the watering can come into the story? Rose has a watering can decorated with a hand-painted design that she uses to water all the plants. Toward the end of the story, they find some new visitors, ones that will bring a smile to your face, on top of the watering can.
Favorite Sentence:
One day Magnolia and Lily ran outside and filled their watering can to the top and gave the thirsty veggies a little drink when they saw a leaf flop, then go kerplop.
What did I like best about this book?
I love it that the girls all have flower names, but my favorite part is the toad. I am crazy about frogs and toads, so I really liked it that the girls didn’t scream and jump away when they saw who the culprit was. A toad isn’t something to be afraid of.
I love the frogs that gather around our small puddle in the spring. And since there is a toad in this book, it made me wonder: how do you tell just by looking which one you have? A toad’s skin is rough and bumpy while a frog’s skin is smooth.
Does this book suit the intended audience?
Yes, it does. Any child should love this story that was inspired by an actual event. And the illustrations, done by Blueberry Illustrations, enable one to see the story taking place. This story is so cute that it should also appeal to adults. Maybe it will even bring back good memories of when they were chidren.
Does it raise any topics for further discussion?
Definitely. This book is about the joys of gardening. It can be a springboard for teaching that growing your own food might be work, but it can also be fun.
It could also bring up some curiosity about toads. And making a habitat for frogs and/or toads in your yard would be a great learning experience.
Would I recommend this book to others?
If you have a love of gardening and want to inspire that same love in your children, I highly recommend this book. Even if you don’t love gardening, it is a really cute story.
Amazon Link: Wilbur and the Watering Can
Recommended Article: Max Goes to Town – a Review
About the Author:
Cynthia L. Clark was born and raised in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder County, Colorado, where she continues to live on Wilbur’s farm. She is the author of three novels and a charming childrens book, “Max Goes to Town.” She is a graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder with a JD Law degree and a BA in Economics.
