THE GARDEN IN THE CITY

by Gerda Muller ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1992

Ben and Caroline are delighted with their new home in an old house with an overgrown, walled yard--now they will be able to make their own gardens. In loving detail, the Dutch-born artist (who lives in Paris) describes the process of transformation, providing labeled pictures of tools, maps of the proposed new arrangement, and a yearlong narrative of tasks done, planting and harvest, people who come to help, and the many pleasures and uses of the ever-changing space. Meanwhile, the children make friends with Luke, a wheelchair-bound boy whose balcony garden overlooks theirs; he enjoys offering advice about the activities he watches below. In the spirit of Christina Bjork's Linnea's Almanac (1989), much information is conveyed through these lively characters, with the emphasis on their activities rather than on the minimal story. Adding to the appeal are the book's large scale and the charming illustrations of the thriving garden and the city's nearby bustle, in a style reminiscent of Satomi Ichikawa's art. The city looks French, but the many plants shown are also found in the US. A lovely book sure to generate enthusiasm for its subject.

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1992

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 1991

Categories: CHILDREN'S