INCH BY INCH

The lyrics to the well-known children's song, a line or two per page, illustrated with charming scenes of a little boy and his dog making a garden. Large blocks of green, blue, and brown, with smaller sections of red and yellow, are juxtaposed like puzzle pieces to compose the illustrations. Clouds, shadows, flowers, and other elements migrate casually from the paintings and into the wide white borders. There are surprises: One spread showing a tall fantasy tree must be turned sideways; in another the boy tugs at an immense radish; a gigantic crow flaps in from the corner of a third. The song, in a simple piano arrangment, appears on the last two pages. Playful, forthright, and happy—with some seeds and a couple of small tools, this is a terrific gift for a young gardener. (Picture book. 3-6)