LISSY'S GARDEN

Grandpa has a surprise for young Lissy.

As the two take a walk, Grandpa reveals a wildly overgrown garden and hints at its past: “We have a lot of work to do, that’s true, but when we’re finished, you’ll see how beautiful it is. Just like it was once before.” That autumn, Grandpa and Lissy clear away dead leaves and weeds. When snow blankets the space in winter, they plan to repair the fence to keep out the hungry rabbits eyeing the garden. In spring, the pair continue working, and presto—soon there’s a “a blooming, vibrant garden, filled with sweet-smelling flowers.” Among them is lavender, the key to the garden’s past: It used to be Grandma’s. Lissy recalls the dried lavender that Grandma had hanging all around the house. Now the garden is Lissy’s—and a link to both grandparents. Originally published in Belgium and the Netherlands and translated from Dutch, this tale goes light on the specifics of gardening; despite Lissy telling Grandpa that she’d like to grow strawberries, peonies, and a cherry tree, we don’t see the pair purchasing seeds or saplings, and we don’t learn much about the work that they do, apart from removing dead leaves to allow the rosebuds beneath to sprout. The focus here is on the emotional impact of the garden, and that’s where Zanellato’s lovely, stylized, clear illustrations soar. Both Lissy and Grandpa are pale-skinned.

A touching parable about human connection.