THE CHALK GARDEN

An observant, nurturing child beautifies her cement yard.

Eager to attract birds, Emma, a tranquil, light-skinned child, tries drawing images of plants and flowers on the wall using sidewalk chalk—to no avail. But everything changes when she discovers a wobbling slab of cement. Her dad, who shares her skin tone and features, moves the slab to reveal soil, roots, and wriggling worms. Hope stirs beneath the cement as Emma tends to the soil, plants slowly grow, and her father removes more slabs of cement. The yard slowly blossoms, and Emma creates a feeder, a nest, and other items to attract birds…until her actions pay off. The outcome is less exciting than the journey, and while some readers won’t be drawn in by this gentle story or its protagonist’s humble goal, curious, quiet children will appreciate it and may enjoy engaging in a discussion about what plants need to grow and what happens when the seasons shift. Illustrations are anchored in the off-white cement, with engaging contrast as plants begin growing and pollinators and helpful creepy-crawlies—ants, spiders, and ladybugs—arrive. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

For the patient, the protagonist’s world will be pleasing.