I have recently discovered a special very children's book...Mrs. Spitzer's Garden, written by Edith Pattou and illustrated by Tricia Tusa.  Mrs. Spitzer is a kindergarten teacher that is passionate about gardening.  Each year, the principal gives her a packet of seeds at the end of the summer. She preps the soil, plants the seeds, and then waters and cares for flowers as they grow.  She nurtures the flowers and recognizes that each flower grows differently and have different needs.  At the end of the year, her job is done until the next time the principal hands her a new packet of seeds. This a wonderful book for all teachers; especially, new teachers.  

The students in our classrooms are the flowers in our garden. 

It is our job to care for them and nurture them all year long.