Thursday, October 22, 2020

Review - In My Garden

In My Garden

by Charlotte Zolotow
illustrated by Philip Stead
Date: 2020
Publisher: Neal Porter Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

Welcome the outdoors inside for story time with this classic tale of a garden changing through the seasons.

A young girl and her older companion watch birds, fly a kite, plant flowers, and play in the snow, watching flowers bloom and leaves fall as the year passes.

This quiet story celebrates the simple joys found close to home, and the importance of sharing those experiences with the ones you love. A perfect story time pick for any season, In My Garden explores the natural marvels of the world around us and encourages young readers to think about what they love best throughout the year.

Written by picture book master Charlotte Zolotow and originally published in 1960, this elegant reimagining of In My Garden features all-new illustrations by accomplished author-illustrator Philip Stead. His delicate illustrations and gentle, colorful palette bring new life and meaning to this classic tale-- a beautiful tribute to the experience of childhood, and a thank you to a master storyteller.

(synopsis from Amazon.ca; see it on Goodreads)

The text of this book has been around since 1960, so I may have read the original as a kid (I honestly don't remember; it didn't ring any bells, but I know we read quite a few Charlotte Zolotow books). This version, published in 2020, features new illustrations by Philip Stead.

It's a lovely, gentle picture book about the passage of a year. A young girl states what she likes best about each of the seasons, and also what she likes doing in each season. The illustrations are rough, yet somehow work with the simplicity of the story.

I'd recommend this one to fans of Zolotow, as well as to those looking for picture books about seasons.

Quotable moment:


Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

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