Written by Jenny Feely Illustrated by Naomi Lewis

The Giant’s Garden

Written by Jenny Feely

Illustrated by Naomi Lewis

The Giant’s Garden

Text type: NarrativeLevel: K (20)Word count: 788

Content vocabularybutterfly/ies corn dug farm flowers garden/s grow/s maze plant/s/ed watering can

Curriculum link• Social studies: Pastimes and hobbies – gardening

Key concepts• There are different types of gardens.• Gardens are grown for various reasons such as for food, for people to enjoy,

to make a place look nice, and to attract animals.

Reading strategy• Reading dialogue with fluency and expression

Paired bookAmazing Gardens

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ISBN: 978-1-74234-605-2

6 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 17 18 19

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Contents Chapter 1 A giant comes to town 4

Chapter 2Planting a new idea 8

Chapter 3A helping hand 12

Chapter 4Something blossoms 14

Chapter 5A mystery trail 20

Chapter 1 A giant comes to townWhen the Giant came to live at

Hayfield farm, the people in the

nearby village came to greet him.

“Welcome to our village, Giant,”

they said. “We hope we can all

be friends.”

“Hmmph!” said the Giant. “I don’t

see how that can happen. People

don’t like giants, and giants don’t

like people.”

The Giant turned his back, stomped

into the farmhouse, and slammed

the door.

54

“What an unfriendly giant,” said

the villagers. “It is no surprise that

people don’t like giants. We certainly

won’t come out here again!”

And one by one the villagers

turned away. All except Harriet.

“That giant needs a friend,” she said.

But no one was listening.

Harriet looked over the fence at the

Giant’s garden. There were lots of

weeds growing everywhere. This gave

Harriet an idea.

Harriet hurried back to town to get

some things.

76

Chapter 2 Planting a new ideaIn no time at all, Harriet was back at

the Giant’s farm. She reached up and

knocked on his door.

She waited and waited.

Just as Harriet was about to turn

and go, the door opened. The Giant

stood, looking down at her.

“Go away,” he said.

“I will go,” said Harriet. “But

before I do, could I just put these

plants into your garden?”

98

Harriet had lots of plants with her.

“I have been growing lots of seeds

at home and I have too many plants

for my little garden,” said Harriet.

“I need to plant them somewhere

before they die. Could I plant them

in your garden?”

“Hmmph!” said the Giant. “If you

have to.”

And he shut the door.

Harriet dug and dug until all the

weeds were gone.

Then she planted her plants.

The Giant watched Harriet from

his window.

1110

Chapter 3 A helping handThe next day, Harriet came to water

her plants.

“Hello,” she said to the Giant, who was

sitting on the wall near the garden.

“Mmm,” said the Giant.

Harriet filled the watering can. She

tried to pick it up, but it was too heavy.

Then a big hand closed over hers.

“Let me do that,” said the Giant,

as he easily lifted the watering can.

From then on, Harriet and the

Giant worked together in the garden

every day. And every day, the Giant

smiled a little more and had a little

more to say.

1312

Chapter 4 Something blossomsSoon there were flowers everywhere.

Harriet had planted flowers that

brought hundreds of butterflies to

the garden.

A butterfly landed on the Giant’s nose

and the Giant laughed out loud.

“This garden is lovely,” said the Giant.

“Do you think we could make another

garden in the field?”

“Of course,” said Harriet. “You can

make a garden anywhere.”

“Will you help me?” said the Giant.

“Of course I will,” said Harriet.

“That’s what friends are for.”

1514

In the field next to the farmhouse,

Harriet and the Giant made an

animal garden.

The Giant made wire frames shaped

like animals for plants to grow on.

Harriet snipped the plants as they grew.

Soon the field had lots of green

animals all over it.

Then Harriet and the Giant planted

some corn. They put the seeds in

rows that went down the field and

across the field.

As the corn grew tall and strong,

it became a maze. Harriet and

the Giant played hide-and-seek

in the maze.

1716

They made a floating garden on the

pond. It was filled with flowers that

floated on top of the water.

And they even planted a garden on

the walls of the Giant’s farmhouse.

“The garden on the walls will make

your house cool in summer and

warm in winter,” said Harriet.

“This garden is grand,” said the Giant.

“It is,” said Harriet. “Let’s have a

garden party and invite all the

villagers.”

The Giant looked sad. “They won’t

come,” he said. “People don’t like

giants.”

“They would if they knew you the

way I do,” said Harriet.

1918

Chapter 5 A mystery trailHarriet picked a bunch of flowers

from the Giant’s garden. She left a

flower and a note on the doorsteps

of everyone in the village.

On Friday at 3 o’clock, all the

villagers were waiting.

“Where are we going?”

the villagers asked.

“You will see,” said Harriet, and off

she walked, following the flower trail.

2120

The villagers marveled at the animal

garden and played hide-and-seek

in the maze.

They rowed boats around the floating

garden, and giggled when butterflies

landed on them in the butterfly garden.

When the villagers got to the Giant’s

farm, they couldn’t believe their eyes.

“Welcome,” said the Giant. “Come

and enjoy the beautiful garden that

my good friend Harriet and I have

made together.”

“Amazing!” whispered the people

to each other. “A giant has made

friends with a person, and a person

has made friends with a giant!”

2322

All too soon, it was time to go home.

“Thank you for coming,” said the Giant.

“Come again soon.”

“We certainly will,” said the villagers.

“It is good to spend time with friends.”

And all the villagers went off to make

their own gardens.

24

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