stip’s garden /stɪps gɑːd(ə)n/
Stip’s Garden is a leporello book designed and illustrated by Merike van de Vijver for children between 3 and 8 years old. It is a story book you can read aloud and an information book in one cover. The story is about the ladybird Stip who lands in a fully paved garden where there is nothing to do for him. His friends Worm, Frog, Bee, Butterfly, Blackbird and Hedgehog don’t want to visit. All those tiles and no greenery makes the garden a place where they won’t be able to find food. When the sun shines it gets hot very quickly and when it rains the garden fills up with water. Stip takes you on a tour to show what you can adapt in this garden so it will be transformed into a green oasis.
Fold the book out to take in the full metamorphosis!
On the other side of the page you can read information about Stip’s friends, funny and interesting facts and tips on how you can go on an adventure in your garden using all your senses.
You can order (Dutch) books here. An English translation is in the making.
Stip’s Garden sprouted from a collaboration between Anneke van Veen and Merike van de Vijver.
For years Anneke had been walking around with a wish to publish a children’s book with the theme ‘super 6 of the garden’. There is an urgency to teach children (and their parents) that there is no need to fly around the world to see the ‘big five’ on safari if you can collect the ‘super 6’ in your garden, on your balcony or in the park. This concept was an inspiration for Merike (e.g. the series Van Grijs naar Groen).
The combination of Anneke’s knowledge of biodiversity and communicating a climate friendly message together with Merike’s creative qualities and passion for developing an innovative idea with an inclusive storyline has produced a book that encourages a playful call to action and will motivate children to experience nature close to home in an intense manner.
You can take Stip into the classroom too! Stip’s Garden has been transformed into an educational programme for children in year 1 to 4. In collaboration with GDO - Gemeenten voor Duurzame Ontwikkeling, Naar Buiten Leiden and Natuur en Milieu Educatief Centrum Weizigt, Merike has designed easy to follow lesson plans and activities from the book have been adapted for the classroom.
You can read more about this programme here. As well as find links to extra ideas to make your lessons engaging with finger puppets, buttons or some colouring in.