Farmer's Garden: Rhymes for Two Voices

by David L. Harrison

Farmer's dog is a curious dog. He wanders through Farmer's garden greeting each creature, fruit, and vegetable he meets with a question: Butterfly, where have you been? Strawberry, how do you like the garden? Corn, how do you grow? The result is a lyrical conversation in rhyme for two voices.

Genres: Poetry, Childrens, Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poems for two voices written about creatures and vegetables found in and around the garden with the first voice in each poem being that of the farmer’s dog. Would love to see these poems “ performed” by some kindergarten through third grade students or perhaps a young 4-H group.

[Laura Salas · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun collection of poems for two voices. Each poem is a conversation between the narrator, Farmer's Dog, and a creature in the Farmer's garden. Each is like a tight little interview. Here's one of my favorites:

Bunny

Bunny, Bunny,
what do you do?

I nibble and chew,
nibble and chew.

What if Farmer
shakes his hoe?

I hippity-hop
and off I go!

They aren't all rhyming poems, but each has a strong meter--great for reciting aloud. They have a nursery rhyme feel to them. It would be cool to divide your class up, assign students to each animal, and then do this book as a Reader's Theater piece. Delightful!

[Ileana Lindner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title:Farmer's Garden: Rhymes for Two
Author: David L. Harrison
Grade: 1st

This literary science treasure helps students realize the characteristics of basic needs of plants and animals by observing a story that takes place on a farm. It is a neat way to see the perspective of different animals and their environment. An example of a basic need of a plant illustrated in the book is that the corn needed water to grow. There are more examples of this relationship of basic needs of plants and animals in a different type of setting.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful book for the very youngest of children, giving them a chance to read poetry about things in the garden as the dog wanders through, asking questions like Redbird, Redbird, Why do you sing? and the other voice: I sing for joy!/It’s spring/It’s spring. Early readers will enjoy reading this in alternating voices for a small performance project. It’s very sweet.

[CFAITC]

Farmer's dog is a curious dog. He wanders through Farmer's garden greeting each creature, fruit, and vegetable he meets with a question.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great partner reading book once you have a child or two who can read. Short poems.