Check all your worries and cares at the gates of Bookworm Gardens Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Bookworm Gardens Sheboygan is an artful creation of whimsy. This botanical garden’s theme is children’s literature. Don’t let the theme fool you though, Bookworm Gardens is a delight for all ages.
Sheboygan offers so much to do. Another suggestion is to visit the new John Michael Kohler Arts Preserve.
Once you pass through the main entrance, you enter into a world like nothing you’ve seen. Bookworm Gardens feature more than 70 individual gardens each inspired by a children’s book. Just a sampling of the many books that come to life in the gardens are.
Little House In The Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
A Sock is a Pocket for Your Toes by Liz Garton Scanlon
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
The Three Pigs by David Wiesner
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
I had been wanting to visit Bookworm Gardens Sheboygan for a very long time. When I was invited to a new after-hours event at the gardens in July, I jumped at the chance. The Twilight Picnic Series takes place three Friday nights during the summer of 2020. Other events for 2020 include the Secret Garden Dinner Series (all these are sold out), and the Fairy folk Festival at the end of July. If you are reading this after these events are scheduled or after the season please check their events page.
Along with many summer events, The month of October Bookworm Gardens Sheboygan is an active time. All decorated for Halloween, The gardens have several events thorough the spooky month for kids and adults alike.
This year Bookworm Gardens opened at the beginning of June. At this time because of Covid-19, you must book your visit through a reservation. Sheboygan County residents, members, and children under the age of 2 are free. All others pay $5.00. I would suggest checking the website for hours and regulations.
Immediately when you enter the gardens you can feel the stresses of your day leave and the carefree attitude of childhood take over. Since it was July when I visited, the gardens were lush, the flowers were blooming in a rainbow of colors, and the koi in the huge pond were merrily swimming around.
A boxed picnic lunch was included in the price for the Twilight Picnic. We were handed our picnic box upon entry by two very friendly ladies. It was a rather steamy night so we grabbed a refreshing watermelon collins from the bar set up in the middle of a grassy area and found a spot to enjoy our picnic.
We were told they sold about 50 tickets for this event. Some carried in blankets to spread in a shady area. There are also ample places to sit in the gardens. As we found some chairs to sit on I couldn’t help but think about coming back someday soon with a book or my journal and just spend a peaceful afternoon reading and writing and maybe even doing a little sketching.
Our boxed picnic was exquisitely put together. Locally sourced fruits, cheese, vegetables, along with bread slices and crackers was a feast for the eyes. A couple of flowers artfully arranged inside the box gave it an almost too pretty to eat quality. A small chocolate-covered caramel added a sweet touch.
As we enjoyed our little feast, our fellow picnickers were also enjoying theirs around the gardens. Happy voices and laughter could be heard all around.
Why a garden dedicated to children’s literature?
About fifteen years ago Sandy Livermore had the vision to bring books to life one garden at a time. Bookworm Gardens is a non-profit organization that could not exist without the support of over 20 local organizations and to date over 1000 volunteers.
Bookworm Gardens mission is simply
“To inspire the love of books and nature in the young and young at heart.”
I’d say they certainly accomplish that mission.
I heard many times that although Bookworm Gardens is all about children’s books, adults are very drawn to it. Could it be because we all have a childlike sense of wonder that never leaves us? Is it because we are drawn to the past through those books we loved so much as young children?
I think as adults we are overloaded with stress, worried about everyone and everything, and while the world around us is a chaotic place, Bookworm Gardens is an escape. A tranquil place to dream, to smell the flowers, to be dazzled with colors, and immerse ourselves in nature. It is an oasis.
After finishing our picnic, we strolled through the gardens. My fellow picnickers, Shelly from Visit Sheboygan and Rachel, author of the popular Sheboygan blog, Rachel’s Route, had been there numerous times. Being the newbie, it was easy to see why this is such a wonderful addition to Sheboygan. Shredded rubber and stone provided an easily walkable winding path to each garden. There was so much that captured my attention. The raised vegetable garden, the blue truck, the barn, and chicken coop.
And that’s the thing, it’s nearly impossible to catch every detail of every book featured on a first visit. I quickly found some favorites. The one I was most excited to see was my friend Barbara Techel’s Frankie The Walk and Roll Dog. Barbara was and continues to be a mentor to me in my author journey not only with encouraging me to go forward with my Beatrice the Little Camper series of children’s books but with my writing business in general.
Others that caught my fancy were the Three Little Pigs, A Playhouse For Monster (cover photo), and Waiting for Wings from Lois Ehlert.
And who doesn’t love Harry The Dirty Dog? I’m told this is a favorite among the children who visit.
Speaking of children, Bookworm Gardens Sheboygan is a popular place for school field trips. They also offer a Summer Camp and for the littles a Sprouts and Seedlings Preschool Play Time. Also, if you are unable to get to Bookworm Gardens, there are numerous virtual tours and activities available on the website.
Inside the gardens, there are many opportunities for creativity and exploration. There is an upright sensory garden, a spot to create your own fairy house, places to dig and play.
If you love the gardens as much as I do, you may want to consider supporting the mission by becoming a member. There are so many different levels of support from a general donation to and Endowment. Or you can make a permanent mark and fund a foot, buy a brick, or one of the coolest ways is to purchase a granite book for the huge bookshelf.
I know I will be back many times when I need a little break from the outside world.
Just yesterday, I took my book-loving daughter, Megan, on her day off. She had never been and I was anxious to go back. It turns out I DID miss so much from that first visit. Since this visit was during open hours, there were lots of families enjoying the gardens. It was wonderful to see all the little smiling faces and laughter all around. Because of the timed entry, we never felt crowded and were able to safely keep 6 feet apart.
With all the fabulous things to do and places to eat in Sheboygan, it’s the perfect destination for a vacation. Bookworm Gardens should be at the top of the list for the young AND the young at heart!
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Thank you to Visit Sheboygan for hosting the Twilight Picnic!!
As always all opinions are my own.
[…] Sheboygan for the excellent restaurants, brats, and beer culture, others come for family offerings- Bookworm Gardens, Blue Harbor Resort, and Above and Beyond Children’s Museum. Then there’s the beach […]
What an adorable garden to explore and perfect way for those of us with bigger kids to remember some of our favorite children’s books.
It really is a great place for all ages. Lots to explore 😄
Even though we’ve visited before, I’ve been dying to revisit. So whimsical!!
It really is. My new favorite place!
How lovely! It might be worth a little day trip to Sheboygan.
It’s a fabulous place!