Don’t Touch That Flower by Alice Hemming, illustrated by Nicola Slater, will capture any child with its playful illustrations and delightful lessons about what causes the erupting beauty of spring. The lovable and silly Squirrel draws the reader in with the dilemma he creates because of his overly possessive feelings toward a flower living near his tree. Meanwhile, children won’t even realize they are learning about pollination and what helps flowers grow. Watch as magic unfolds after Squirrel discovers there is enough beauty for everyone to enjoy during this extraordinary seasonal change!
Garden Party Snack
Accompany this story with an entire garden of sweet and savory healthy snacks that resemble flowers! Adults can slice the fruit and vegetables ahead of time while children help assemble them—kids LOVE to participate in creating things!
Fruit Flowers
- Slice and assemble the following:
- Banana and kiwi slices — Flower centers
- Strawberry halves with the points facing outward — Flower petals
- Thin celery slices, about 4 inches long — Stems
Chips and Salsa Flower
Fill a small, round serving dish with jarred or homemade salsa (see below for an easy recipe) and place in the center of a large plate. Surround the salsa dish with tortilla chips, fanning them out like flower petals. You can also dollop sour cream in the center of the dish.
For easy fresh salsa, blend the following in a food processor:
- 3 c. cherry tomatoes
- Half a large red onion
- 1 can Rotel
- A few squirts of honey
- Juice of one lime
- 1 bunch cilantro (optional)
Cracker and Candy Flowers
For something extra fun and sweet, spread peanut butter on Ritz crackers and top with spring-colored jellybeans or M&Ms. Choose one color of candy for the center and a different color for the “petals” to surround the center candy.