Harriet and the Garden

Nancy Carlson's 'Harriet and the Garden' is a gentle chapter book that explores the heavy burden of guilt and the liberating power of honesty. When Harriet accidentally damages her neighbor's prize dahlia, she is consumed by a terrible feeling until she finds the courage to confess. The book beautifully illustrates the emotional arc of making a mistake, feeling bad about it, and then finding relief and resolution through honesty and making amends. It's an excellent resource for discussing big feelings like shame and fear, and for modeling the positive behavior of taking responsibility for one's actions. Ideal for children aged 4-11, it provides a comforting narrative for kids who might be struggling with similar situations.

Harriet feels terrible until she confesses to trampling on a neighbor's garden and ruining a prize dahlia.