Culture and Languages

Culture

Celebrating the many diverse cultures that weave through the county of Sheboygan is a crucial aspect of Bookworm Gardens.  The culture and language gardens bring just a few of the cultures to life.  The hillside location of this area creates the topography necessary for interpreting the various stories and corresponding cultural landscapes.  A teahouse and corresponding activity area anchor the Japanese garden.  Elements from the books Flags, One Leaf Rides the Wind, and Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes can be found here along with a small pond and waterfall adding to the contemplative feeling of this garden.  The Hmong culture and history is represented by the book Dia’s Storycloth.  Small bamboo huts will be tucked into the hillside with terraced gardens.

  • Learn to make origami paper cranes.
  • Design a garden pattern like a quilt from The Quiltmaker’s Gift.
  • Attend a special class to learn how to trim bonsai.
  • Follow the storyline of Dia on the Hmong storycloth made of tile.
  • Join in the tradition of making Hmong crafts.

Language

A sensory garden at the gateway of this area emphasizes texture, taste, smell, and auditory plantings.  A grid of piano wire is provided to help gardeners who are visually impaired.  A rich gardening experience is provided for those in wheelchairs with an accessible vertical planter wall and an accessible working table.  In the center of the garden a floral clock helps children learn to tell time.  The remainder of this area is devoted to plant-language themed books like plant names representing the alphabet.

  • Catch the distinct fragrances like mint in the garden for A Girl named Helen Keller.
  • Visit the salsa garden from Gathering the Sun, then plan to make some in the outdoor kitchen.
  • Enjoy sharing Hickory Dickory Dock in a special reading nook.
  • Can you find your name in the garden of plants with people names?

For example, Lily, Rose, Violet, Poppy, Fern

Garden's Slideshow

Books

  • Dia's Story Cloth
  • Flags
  • One Leaf Rides the Wind
  • Sadako and the Thousand Cranes
  • The Quiltmaker's Gift
  • A Girl Named Helen Keller
  • Alison's Zinnias
  • Chrysanthemum
  • Gathering the Sun
  • The Completed Hickory, Dickory Dock