Help them grow more than a garden.
In The Little Gardener, Theo learns to earn, save, sell and invest. Then he opens his gardens for gleaning, so the whole community can share the harvest. A heartwarming story inspired by the Bible's teachings.
- Grows
- Earning, saving, selling, investing, and sharing
- Rooted in
- Stewardship, gleaning, and Matthew 25:21
- Comes as
- A storybook, an eBook and a coloring book
- Published by
- Christian Faith Publishing
Four lessons, one season.
On his journey, Theo learns discipline and the financial principles of earning, saving, selling and investing. Here is each one with a verse to read together and something to try at home this week.
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Lesson 1 of 4
Earn
Work the soil first.
A harvest starts with work. So does money.
- Try this week
- Pay for one real chore, and let them hold the coins they earned.
“In all labour there is profit.”Proverbs 14:23
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Lesson 2 of 4
Save
Keep some seeds for spring.
Not everything you grow gets eaten today.
- Try this week
- Give them a clear jar, so they can watch their savings pile up.
“He that gathereth by labour shall increase.”Proverbs 13:11
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Lesson 3 of 4
Sell
Bring the harvest to market.
What you grow has value to someone else.
- Try this week
- Run a front-yard stand for an afternoon. They count the change.
“She perceiveth that her merchandise is good.”Proverbs 31:18
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Lesson 4 of 4
Invest
Plant what you saved.
A saved seed, planted, comes back many times over.
- Try this week
- Match what they save toward a goal, then plant it together.
“He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”2 Corinthians 9:6
Every harvest starts with a saved seed.
Try Theo's choice with your child. There are 12 sunflower seeds. Eat them today, or plant a few for fall?
“Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.”Matthew 25:21
We counted 100 seeds a flower. A real sunflower head can hold far more.
Where to find The Little Gardener
- Barnes & NoblePrint and Nook eBookBuy at Barnes & Noble
- Bookshop.orgPrint, and supports local bookstoresBuy at Bookshop.org
- TertuliaPrintBuy at Tertulia
- AmazonKindle eBookOpen on Amazon
- Barnes & NoblePrintBuy at Barnes & Noble
- Bookshop.orgPrint, and supports local bookstoresBuy at Bookshop.org
- TertuliaPrintBuy at Tertulia
Buying for a Sunday school class or a homeschool co-op? Ask Jennifer about group orders
Meet Jennifer.
Jennifer McDowell is an author, educator and businessperson who helps children learn financial literacy through faith, stewardship and resilience.
Her grandparents were ranchers, growers and producers with a deep ethic of land stewardship. Her books were inspired by her mother's devotion to Christ and family.
From Jennifer's blog
Leave the edges of the field.
In the book, Theo opens his gardens for gleaning. His community comes together to gather the harvest and get it to the people who need it most. It's an old harvest law: farmers left the edges of their fields for anyone in need.
It's where every lesson in the book leads: grow enough to share.
“Thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger.”Leviticus 19:10
Theo's Garden Chart, free to print.
One page for the fridge. Each week your child fills in what they earned, saved, sold, planted, and gave away.
Your chart is on its way.
Check your inbox for Theo's Garden Chart. Print it, stick it on the fridge, and fill in the first row this week.
Invite Jennifer for an author talk.
For Sunday schools, homeschool co-ops, libraries, classrooms and family events.