the great garden games

Story Setup

When the garden announces a special competition, excitement fills the air!

Patches and Benjamin, along with their diverse group of garden friends, prepare to participate in various challenges that will test their different skills and abilities. But as the Great Garden Game unfolds, they discover that the real prize isn’t a trophy—it’s understanding what true success looks like.

Themes & Lessons

Through friendly competition and teamwork, readers explore themes of fair play, good sportsmanship, and appreciating different talents. The story gently teaches that everyone has unique strengths, that supporting others matters as much as personal achievement, and that comparing ourselves to others can lead to either rivalry or appreciation—the choice is ours. Most importantly, children learn that doing your best while encouraging others to do theirs is the real definition of winning.

What Makes It Special

With vibrant illustrations and a lovable cast of characters, this uplifting tale celebrates diversity of abilities and the joy of participation. Young readers will see themselves in the various competitors—some are fast, some are creative, some are strong, some are clever—each bringing different gifts to the games. As Book 2 in the Garden Adventures series, it establishes Patches and Benjamin’s friendship and shows how differences can complement rather than compete.

Discussion & Family Engagement

Discussion questions after each chapter invite families to talk about healthy competition, handling disappointment with grace, celebrating others’ successes, and discovering their own special talents. Perfect for building emotional intelligence, social awareness, and helping children understand that their worth isn’t measured by winning or losing, but by who they are and how they treat others. Ideal for reading before or during sports seasons, school competitions, or any time children are navigating comparison and self-esteem.