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Georgieva, Elmira. Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 34 p. The Toy Library, 3. Intended for a juvenile audience. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Georgieva, Elmira. New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 34 p. The Toy Library, 3. Intended for a juvenile audience. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
ââ?¬Å"Bertie and the Garden of Wondersââ?¬Â? by Mandy Woolf opens in a playroom where a patched-up ball named Bertie waits patiently to be picked to play with a child. But Bertie is faded and dusty, so no one wants to play with him. Bertie hopes that one day he will get to have a friend so that he can go on lots of adventures with them.
One day soon, the door is left open, beckoning Bertie with scents of delicious chocolate chip cookies, bright colors in the garden, the inviting warm sun, and a soft breeze. Bertie rolls out through that open door to investigate.
Bertie meets Puff Ball, a cheerful white dandelion who is waiting for the wind to help her disperse her seeds. Bertie feels a connection with Puff Ball because he too has had to wait by himself, hoping for someone or something to make his dreams come true. Bertie asks Puff Ball if they could be friends, and the two swap stories about how they feel unwelcome in their environmentsââ?¬"Bertie amongst all the shiny toys that children want to play with, and Puff Ball amongst the flowers who taunt her and say that ââ?¬Å"dandelions are weeds.ââ?¬Â? To this Bertie replies, ââ?¬Å"Youââ?¬â?¢re not a weed. Youââ?¬â?¢re a wish.ââ?¬Â?
This sweet moment is interrupted when Bertie spies a bee for the first time, watching with amazement as the bee named Brian spreads pollen between flowers. When a bird darts down and tries to eat Brian, Bertie and Puff Ball help shoo the bird away, cementing their friendship.
After reading, children can enjoy a Bertie and Puff Ball activity. Using personal art supplies, readers can cut out and make a face for a Bertie of their very own, create a Puff Ball using a pipe cleaner and a cotton ball, or go on their own adventures in a garden or park with a handy dandy checklist of animals, sounds, and observations from their day.
Some highlights of ââ?¬Å"Bertie and the Garden of Wondersââ?¬Â? include the artwork, the emotional resiliency of Bertie, and the power of friendship.
Ellmire Georgieva has curated soft, inviting artwork, each child is expressive and lovingly colored, differentiated from one another, while the gardener, dog, and bird antagonists convey an age-appropriate sense of tension for our main characters. While the role was small, I do want to highlight the absolutely adorable bumblebee Brian, whose plight demonstrates just how observant and protective the budding friends Gertie and Puff Ball can be for fellow kind creatures.
Gertie�s continual wish for a friend to play with and someone to see him for all that he has to offer is well established and a good driving force throughout the book, making him act on his curiosity to leave the playroom, stand up for others like Puff Ball and the sweet bee Brian, and to have faith in his friend�s promise to return. While it would have been nice to see more space between Puff Ball leaving with her family and then coming back, the closing images of Bertie finally being chosen from the shelf by the returned Puff Ball provide an incredible payoff and the pair�s friendship is very endearing. And though I did not know who Lola was, I was able to understand that Bertie has a strong connection to her through context.
I was pleasantly surprised to see echoes of Pinnochio and Toy Story due to the overlapping themes of friendship, magic, and found family. This story is ideal for readers of previous Bertie books and can also serve as an introduction to The Toy Library Stories series for children aged 3 to 11 years old. ââ?¬Å"Bertie and the Garden of Wondersââ?¬Â? by Mandy Woolf is a thought-provoking message on friendship and kindness that will appeal to children who love bouncy balls, flowers, and stories about the power of friendship.
Literary Titan
Jun 26, 2024
Wonderful tale of kindness and friendship
In Bertie and the Garden of Wonders, Mandy Woolf crafts a delightful and heartwarming tale of friendship and discovery. Poor Bertie, a faded beachball, spends his days on a shelf, watching the children choose other toys over him. Feeling neglected, Bertie yearns for the vibrant beauty of the garden he can see through the open door. Determined to experience the garden's wonders, Bertie rolls himself outside and encounters Puff Ball, a soft, white fluffy flower who unexpectedly begins to talk to him. Delighted to make a new friend, Bertie and Puff Ball enjoy each other's company, sharing entertaining stories and working together to protect Brian, a bee in need. As the seasons change, Bertie learns that Puff Ball must leave for a while but promises to return. The story leaves readers eagerly wondering whether Puff Ball will keep her promise, adding an element of suspense and anticipation.
The unique friendship between a flower and a beachball teaches children valuable lessons about the beauty of diverse friendships. Woolf's storytelling is both fun and endearing, emphasizing that differences can make friendships special. The interactions between Bertie and Puff Ball also highlight the importance of teamwork, showing young readers that collaborating can help solve problems.
Adding to the book's appeal, Woolf includes engaging activities at the end of the story. These activities encourage children to continue enjoying the adventures of Bertie and Puff Ball beyond the pages of the book. From crafting their own Bertie and Puff Ball to exploring their surroundings in search of plants and animals, children can extend the story's magic into their own lives.
Elmira Georgieva's illustrations beautifully complement Woolf's narrative. The artwork is not only enjoyable to look at but also enhances the storytelling, making readers feel as if they are part of the adventure. Each page invites readers to immerse themselves fully in the story, with illustrations so vivid they seem almost tangible.
Bertie and the Garden of Wonders is a charming book that teaches children the true meaning of friendship. Mandy Woolf's engaging storyline, coupled with Elmira Georgieva's delightful illustrations, makes this book a must-read for young readers. I highly recommend it for its endearing message and captivating presentation.