For Educators
Based on a true story of how one person can inspire change!
The Story and Why it Matters:
Based on a true story set in New York City.
When David notices that the “tree squares” (or dirt surrounding New York City trees) were often filled with trash, he decides to do something about it. With the help of Mollie his dog, and Ollie his cat, they embark on a mission to transform these neglected patches of useless dirt into vibrant mini gardens.
Soon neighbors stop to admire them.
Children ask questions and want to help.
National TV news airs this story.
One small act of kindness spreads across the city.
David and the City Gardens is an inspiring real-life story that shows young readers how even one person’s actions can grow into something that inspires a whole community.
Written by: David Kass
Illustrated by: Dan Mamut
Design Your Own City Garden
David turned empty tree squares into a garden. Now it's your turn! Give children this illustrated empty tree square with the tree already in place to draw flowers, plants, grass, decorations, birds or butterflies, and anything else they'd like in their garden! Press image to download.
David's Gardening Tips
Ten simple tips for young gardeners. Press image to download.
Teacher's Reading Guide
David and the City Gardens: How New York Bloomed One Tree Square at a Time
Ages: 3 to 8
Format: Read-aloud
Subjects: Early Literacy, Science, Environmental Awareness, Community
About the Book
David and the City Gardens follows David, Mollie, and Ollie as they explore New York City and discover neglected tree squares throughout the neighborhood. When David sees litter and overgrown weeds, he decides to do something about it. He cleans a tree square, adds soil, plants flowers, and cares for the garden as it grows. But that's just the beginning.
As David continues cleaning and planting tree squares, his gardens attract neighbors, children, animals, and eventually the attention of a television crew. His efforts inspire people in other neighborhoods to create gardens of their own.
The story introduces children to gardening and caring for shared spaces while showing how one person's actions can inspire a community.
Before Reading
Before opening the book, ask children:
What do you think a city garden looks like?
Where do you see plants growing in your neighborhood?
Have you ever seen a tree growing on a city sidewalk?
What do you think plants need to grow?
Who takes care of gardens?
What is needed to take care of a garden?
During Reading
When David discovers the neglected tree squares:
What does David notice?
What is wrong with these tree squares?
How do you think David feels when he sees the litter?
Why do you think other people might walk past without noticing?
Why do you think the author shows us the problem before David starts planting? (For ages 6 to 8)
When David decides to help:
What does David decide to do?
What could he have done instead?
What do you think will happen next?
Is David helping or hurting the tree square? (For ages 3 to 5)
Why do you think David starts with just one tree square? (For ages 6 to 8)
When David gets the soil and plants:
Why does David need new soil?
What does he buy at the farmers market?
Why does he need to be careful when planting?
What do plants need to grow?
When the flowers begin to wilt:
What happened to the flowers?
Why do you think they are wilting?
What does David do to help them?
What happens after he gives them water?
What does this tell us about what plants need?
When people begin noticing the gardens:
Who stops to look at David's gardens?
Why do you think people like them?
How do you think David feels?
Why do you think the gardens are important to the neighborhood?
When children help David:
What are the children doing?
Why do you think they want to help?
How is their experience different from David's?
Have you ever helped take care of something with other people?
When the gardens attract animals:
What animals do you see?
Why are bees and butterflies interested in the flowers?
Why do birds visit the gardens?
What other animals are attracted to the gardens?
What does a garden provide for animals?
When the gardens become a news story:
Who notices David's work?
Why do you think the television crew wants to tell his story?
What happens after people in other neighborhoods see the story?
How did one garden lead to more gardens?
After Reading
For ages 3 to 5:
Who is David?
Where does he live?
What are the names of his pets?
What did David find in the tree squares?
What did he plant?
What happened when the flowers became wilted?
Who came to see the gardens?
What does David teach us about taking care of our community?
For ages 6 to 8:
What problem does David discover?
What is his first solution?
What challenges does he face?
How does he respond when people litter?
How does he respond when the flowers wilt?
How do the gardens affect the neighborhood?
How does David's work eventually spread to other neighborhoods?
David started with one tree square. Why do you think starting small can still make a difference?
Vocabulary
Introduce these words before or after reading.
Tree Square- A small planting area around a street tree, often found between the sidewalk and the street.
Soil- The material in which plants grow.
Litter- trash that has been left in a place where it does not belong.
Garden- an area where plants are grown and cared for.
Neighborhood- an area where people live and share a community.
Mulch- a material placed over soil to help protect it and retain moisture.
Evergreen- a plant that keeps its leaves or needles throughout the year.
Pollinator- an animal, such as a bee or butterfly, that helps plants reproduce by moving pollen between flowers.
Community- a group of people who live, work, or spend time in the same place.
Science Connection: What Do Plants Need?
David's gardens give children a chance to think about plant needs.
Discuss:
Water: Plants need water to grow.
Sunlight: Different plants need different amounts of sunlight.
Soil: Healthy soil provides plants with support and nutrients.
Space: Plants need enough room for their roots and growth.
Care: Gardeners observe their plants and respond to what they need.
