Biographical Note: SARA GILLINGHAM is an award-winning art director and designer. In addition to developing her own books and gifts, Sara's studio provides art direction and design services for the children's publishing and gift industries. Sara has worked with some of the most distinguished illustrators in the field and has designed and art-directed hundreds of books and gift products, many for Chronicle Books in San Francisco, where she was the design director for children's publishing until 2007. Sara also teaches at UC Berkeley Extension and California College of the Arts in San Francisco. Marc Notes: Friendship advice given as gardening tips--;Provided by publisher. Publisher Marketing: A lovely metaphor teaches valuable lessons in how to treat others and make friendships blossom! Making a friend takes patience, care, and room to bloom--just like growing a flower. Soon your little gardeners will have their very own green thumbs for this most important of life skills.

1. BEFORE STARTING THE STORY
Ask your audience if they have ever grown a plant before. Tell them that the story you are about to read is all about
gardening and friendship. Ask the kids questions, such as “Who knows how to plant a seed?” and “Does anyone have
a garden at home, or a plant in their house?”
AS YOU READ
Engage kids with questions about the story, such as“Does anyone know what kind of bird is humming around the garden
in this book?”and“What kind of plant do you think the kids are growing?”
END THE STORYTIME
Ask everyone if they have a favorite flower or garden activity (e.g. making a wish on a dandelion, making a daisy chain,
looking for four-leaf clovers) and invite them to do crafts and activities inspired by How to Grow a Friend.d a
Art©2015bySaraGillingham
RandomHouseKids.com
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HOST A
Story HourStory Hour
for gardeners of all ages!

2. Art©2015bySaraGillingham
RandomHouseKids.com
Instructions: Print this page and cut out the square below. Then cut along each
of the dotted lines. Pull the right corner of each side to the center and fasten it
with tape or glue. Tape a pipe cleaner to the back of your flower to make the stem.
If you want to turn this flower into a pinwheel, fasten the flaps to the center with a pin
or a brass brad and stick the end through a straw. Put the pinwheel in your garden, and
watch it spin with the breeze!
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Make a PaperMake a Paper
Flower Garden!Flower Garden!

3. Art©2015bySaraGillingham
RandomHouseKids.com
Instructions: Print this page and cut out the strips below to make friendship
bracelets! Ask a grown-up for help fastening the edges of the bracelet together
with tape.
For my friendFor my friend ____________________
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You are my sunshineYou are my sunshine
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DearDear_____________________, Thanks for being such a great friendThanks for being such a great friend
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For my friendFor my friend _______________________
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You’re the bees kneesYou’re the bees knees ✁
DearDear_____________________, Thanks for being such a great friendThanks for being such a great friend
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For my friend
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For my friendFor my friend
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Grow a Friend withGrow a Friend with
Friendship BraceletsFriendship Bracelets

4. Art©2015bySaraGillingham
RandomHouseKids.com
Instructions: Print this page, write in the name of the plants you are planning
to grow, and cut out the tags. When your tags are cut out, glue them to a popsicle
stick, (which you can find at a craft store) and stick the plant marker in the soil
next to your plant.
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Tend Your Garden andTend Your Garden and
Watch It Grow!Watch It Grow!