Magic Shrub Activities Kit

The Magic Shrub is a charming fictional story about the early years of Longwood Gardens. In the book, ten-year-old Sam knows a lot about plants, and a little about bullies. When he learns in the fall of 1906 that the property next to his home has been sold and the woods where he has played all his life are in jeopardy, he sets out to learn more. Sam teaches his new neighbor Pierre about the land and the trees. In return, Pierre shares his vision for a garden and along the way helps Sam win over some new friends. The two share a respect for history, the magic found in nature, the vision of a garden, and a friendship that is timeless.

Stop by the Gardens Shop to pick up a copy of this charming tale!

And, you can now download our new Activities Kit that will help you prepare for an enriching visit to the Gardens.

Click on the links below to download (in pdf format) the accompanying activities kit, teacher's guide and self-guided tour that will entertain your kids in the classroom or at the kitchen table, and during their visit to Longwood.

In order to view the files, you will need to download Adobe Reader (if you do not already have it installed on your computer). Get Adobe Reader.

Teachers Guide
Word Definitions
Know/Want to Learn/Learn Activity
Leaf Matching Activity
Word Search
Word Search Key
Self-Guided Tour
Design Your Own Map Activity