Grandpa Farouk’s Garden
Grandpa Farouk’s Garden
Grandpa Farouk’s Garden
Average Rating: 0.0
Country: South Africa
Ages: 5–8
Author: Jenny Hatton
Publisher: Book Dash
Illustrator: Jess Jardim-Wedepohl
Story Source:

About The Story

Amir loves helping his grandfather care for their rooftop garden. When Grandpa’s pear tree stops bearing fruit, they discover pests eating the plants. Grandpa explains that ladybirds are natural pest controllers. Determined, Amir collects ladybirds from various places. They release ten into the garden, and soon the garden flourishes again, full of healthy fruits and flowers.

Themes

Environment & Conservation
Family & Friends
Social & Emotional Learning

Sub Themes

Homelessness
Displacement
Empathy and kindness
Hope in adversity

Parent-Teacher Guide

Lesson Plan

  • Introduce children to rooftop gardens and ask how plants grow in cities.
  • Discuss how insects can help or harm plants.

Activities

  • Observe Amir and Grandpa’s teamwork.
  • Set up a seed jar and track growth.
  • Make a simple compost bin for class/home.

Story Discussion Guide

Before reading

  • Show pictures of rooftop gardens. Ask: “Have you ever planted something?”
  • Introduce vocabulary: pests, compost, ladybird, blossom.

During reading

  • Pause when Amir searches for ladybirds. Ask: “What would you do to help the garden?”
  • Observe Amir and Grandpa’s teamwork.

After reading

  • Discuss how natural helpers can support gardening.
  • Draw a “garden hero” poster: ladybird, bee, or worm.

Applicable Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Highlights rooftop gardening as a green urban solution.

SDG 13: Climate Action.

Introduces eco-friendly pest control through ladybirds.

SDG 15: Life on Land.

Emphasizes the role of biodiversity and balanced ecosystems.

Curriculum Alignment

  • The Mess That We Made – A poetic tale about ocean waste and action.
  • My Little Garden
  • A Very Important Tree

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