WHO’S IN THE GARDEN?
by Phillis Gershator & illustrated by Jill McDonald
An oversized format and round die cuts allow a little girl to show off her garden in fine fashion. “Who’s coming to see how my garden grows?” loops above a hole cut through the page, through which readers see one gray rabbit. Turn the page, and readers see many “[r]abbits hop, hop, hopping between the rows,” while the die cut frames some carrots on the opposite page. Frogs, bees, birds and moles join the rabbits as the book continues. McDonald’s ebullient mixed-media illustrations are alive with jolly, springtime colors, stylized shapes creating fanciful yet recognizable images. The busyness of the illustrations marks this for toddlers, who will enjoy the many critters that populate this patch. Serious gardeners may wince, but it’s not for them. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)