Author: Mo Johnson
Illustrator: Annabelle Josse
Publisher: Walker Books, $27.95 RRP
Publication Date: 01/05/2010
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9781921150159
For ages: 3 - 7
Type: Picture Book
About: Little Noah has an imagination as grand as a storybook compendium. When he swings, he can fly. When he roams the sandy hills of the sandpit, he’s riding crazy camels. When he’s scaling the play equipment, he’s navigating the piratey seas.
And all in Noah’s very special garden – the grounds of a children’s hospital where helicopters twirl through the sky and land far too frequently. This garden has everything a little boy could need… a little boy who passes every season here waiting, wondering… for baby Jessica.
With the help of his parents and grandparents, this lovely little boy sends wishes to heaven in the wishing fountain of his garden. But will Jessica finally join him to play with the tigers, fly in the silver seaplanes and sail the seven seas?
Bright watercolour illustrations by Annabelle Josse provide movement (the helicopter page is brilliant), emotion and tenderness that beautifully complement the storyline.
Rhythmic, emotive and imaginative, this book would make a wonderful gift for any child, but most especially those experiencing a hospital environment or illness.
Written in honour of a real life Jessica, the emotion and love the author has poured into this book is palpable. All royalties earned by sales of the Australian edition of Noah’s Garden are being donated to the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, Melbourne.
Royal Children’s Hospital
This book is available online
