Spring comes alive in Alison's Zinnia by Anita Lobel with an alphabet of blooming flowers. In this bright blossoming picture book, children learn alliteration and different types of flowers. The following field trip to the florist builds on those skills in a real-world setting. Celebrate spring and flowers with a story and flower shop stroll.
Visit to the Florist With Alison's Zinnia
- Read Anita Lobel's Alison's Zinnia aloud with children. Allow them time to enjoy Lobel's illustrations.
- Go back to page one. Ask children where Alison got the amaryllis. (Note, there is a flower shop in the bottom left hand corner). Explain that a person called a "florist" gave the amaryllis to Alison, and that the group is going to a flower shop to see where Alison bought her flower and see other flowers like the ones in the book.
- Take the children to a local floral shop. With a larger group, checking with the florist ahead of time and having adequate adult supervision are both wise moves to keep the outing safe and fun.
- Encourage the children to walk around the shop, but not to touch anything. Point out the names of specific flowers present, giving special attention to flower names that begin with the same letters as the first names of group members. Encourage children to see if they can find a flower or plant beginning with the first letter of their name. If the florist is willing or available, ask if she/he will be a resource in helping the children to find flowers that begin with certain letters.
- Ask children if they see any of the other flowers from Alison's Zinnia in the flower shop, and encourage them to describe and enjoy those flowers, too.
- If the florist is willing and has time, encourage him or her to give the children a brief tour of the shop, background on any flowers the children find interesting, and explanation of what a florist does.
- In closing, ask the children which flowers they would like to send to a friend, and why.
- Encourage the children to thank the florist for his or her time, and send the florist a thank you card or thank you pictures of flowers drawn by the children.
With the help of a local florist, Alison's Zinnia can bloom for children in spring or any season of the year.
Source:
Lobel, Anita. Alison's Zinnia. Greenwillow Books, New York, 1990.
For other activities based on Alison's Zinnia, try the Alison's Zinnia Word Activity or Flower Walk with Alison's Zinnia.
Melissa Roberts - A trained hospital chaplain, Melissa is a freelance writer, teacher, retreat leader, and spiritual director.
