Garden Magic

By Catherine Friess. Shortlistee of the Best Children’s Picture Book Text competition 2024

Pitch

566-word STEM picture book introducing four-to-seven-year-olds to the magic of gardening, plus back matter.

Cats! Cauldrons! Green potions! Flora’s determined to prove that her new neighbour is a witch, especially when the neighbour’s fruit and vegetables magically blossom and bloom. But when Flora attempts to ride ‘the witch’s broomstick’ she discovers the real reason for her neighbour’s garden magic−green fingers!

Georgie Grows a Dragon x Winnie’s Amazing Pumpkin

Story

Spread 1

[Cauldron-shaped plant pots and a twiggy broomstick can be seen in next door’s garden.]

‘The new neighbour’s a witch!’ said Flora.

Mum laughed. ‘I’m sure she’s not.’

‘She IS! Look at all her cats.’

‘Maybe she likes cats!’

‘But she’s reading a gigantic spell book and…’ Flora shuddered ‘…drinking GREEN slime.’

Spread 2

Next morning Flora climbed the apple tree. She peered over the fence.

A kitten meowed, leapt onto Flora’s shoulder and…

Spread 3

CRASH!

‘Are you ok?’ said the neighbour.

She propped her broom against a wooden box and held out her hand. ‘I’m Esme.’

‘I…er…I…Flora.’

‘I see you’ve met Marvel already. Would you like to help feed my worms?’

Continued…