Teacher's Book Picks of the Week: The Peaceable Forest / The Secret Garden

The Peaceable Forest: India's Tale of Kindness to Animals

by Kosa Ely, illustrated by Anna Johansson

“Once,” says the old man to the animals, “a hunter lived in this forest. Your grandparents lived in fear of him. The twang of his bow sent them running. Then something happened to change that forever . . . ” In this ancient parable from India, a forest-dwelling hunter learns that cruelty has consequences and that compassion has rewards. When the hunter meets the wise man Narada, “Do unto others as they would do unto you” takes on a very concrete meaning as the sage leads the hunter on an imagined journey in which the hunter becomes the hunted. When the hunter realizes how his actions affect other living things, he has a change of heart and begins to live in peace with the animals he once pursued. Kosa Ely adapts this traditional Indian tale into an inviting narrative that presents the universal golden rule in a new and appealing way. Anna Johansson’s richly detailed illustrations evoke the animal kingdom and enchanted forests with fine lines and luminous colors. The Peaceable Forest is the ideal picture book for inspiring young readers to respect life in all its forms." - Source

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  Age Range: 5 and up 
• Grade Level: Kindergarten and up
  
  "The Peaceable Forest is a beautifully illustrated journey into the lives of forest animals and that of a hunter who must undergo a challenge of thought. This book shares an engaging piece of India's rich cultural and folk story-telling history. We hope you'll delve into this gem and enjoy the beauty of the art and story presented which can surely open the doors for insightful discussion to children and adults alike." - GA Staff
  
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The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

"After losing her parents, young Mary Lennox is sent from India to live in her uncle's gloomy mansion on the wild English moors. She is lonely and has no one to play with, but one day she learns of a secret garden somewhere in the grounds that no one is allowed to enter. Then Mary uncovers an old key in a flowerbed - and a gust of magic leads her to the hidden door. Slowly she turns the key and enters a world she could never have imagined." - Source

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 3 - 7
  
  "Magic isn't just wizards and spell books, it is all around us in the pure serenity of nature, in the friendships we cultivate and in the kindness we share. The Secret Garden is a delightful story, a true classic, full of unexpected wonder and demonstrates the powerful transformation of life in nature that we see everyday. While it may have been published in 1911, it nonetheless is relevant to readers today, especially to those of us swept up in the modern world of hi-tech devices. A must read!" - GA Staff