"In the Garden with Eric Carle" - a program inspired by the works of Eric Carle.
This summer's theme for the Conservatory at Vander Veer revolves around children's author, Eric Carle. He is a beloved author of such books as "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "The Very Grouchy Ladybug" and many more. This display was inspired by local woodcarver Thom Gleich's donation of a five foot caterpillar and large wooden ladybug to the park last fall. Four of Gleich's delightful carvings are featured.
Through storyboards and display elements the story of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" is recreated inside the Conservatory. Three additional Eric Carle book story stations are also included in the display; "The Very Grouchy Ladybug", "The Very Busy Spider" and "The Honeybee and the Robber" in various vignettes. This allows repeat visitors an opportunity to enjoy the display in new ways each time. A fun "Eric Carle Eye Spy" worksheet is a hunt and find game for all ages and sure to keep you busy exploring!
A Quad City Arts Access grant provided funding for the display and the opportunity for partnering with local storyteller, Jessica Sheridan to read the Eric Carle books aloud for the preschool summer programming on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. outdoors near the playground. Jessica is a Davenport native and actor extraordinaire. She also is featured before each outdoor concerts in the park from 6-6:30 p.m. Our next concerts will be Thursday, August 12 and Thursday, August 26 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Come join the fun at Vander Veer Botanical Park Conservatory. "In the Garden with Eric Carle runs through Sept. 26! The Conservatory is open to the public from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $1 for anyone over 16 years old. Tuesday it is free to the public.
We would love to have ANY Eric Carle books in good condition donated to us for use in our Fall Festival event. Books may be donated by dropping them off to the Park Store at Vander Veer or to the Fairmount Library bookstore or their drop box. Donors will receive a free one time family pass (up to four adults) for admission to the Conservatory. Please only drop them off at The Park during our business hours - Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon - 4 p.m. Donations will be accepted through Sept. 10.
Our observational bee hive is back for another season. Come in and read "The Honeybee and the Robber" by Eric Carle right next to our real beehive!
For more information: Call the Park at 563-326-7818 or 563-323-3298
