Kids love gardens. They love to see all the different plants and flowers and food that can grow. This lovely little book shows the pure joy that can come from a garden but also the message that you have to look after the garden for it to continue to give you beauty and sustenance.
The little gardener worked very hard in his garden but he was just too little to do everything that needed to be done.
The one thing that did blossom in the garden was a single big, beautiful flower. It gave the gardener hope and encouraged him to keep working. However, the little gardener eventually became down-hearted and worn out. He just couldn't do all the work by himself. He headed off to bed, making a wish as he looked out his little window:
I wish I had a little bit of help
As the gardener slept, someone else discovered the lovely flower blooming in his garden. They too, were encouraged to try to bring the garden to life. The garden began to be transformed around the sleeping little gardener.
Emily Hughes’ illustrations in this book are just delightful. The garden is so detailed and complex, and the little gardener has such wonderful expressions on his lovely little face. The colour palate is very environmentally focussed, with greens, browns and yellows ensuring your attention stays on the garden and all that is growing in it.
This beautiful little book gives an environmental message that if we work together and everyone does a little bit to help, then we can make a difference. We can create beauty and joy and sustenance. It is even printed on FSC Certified Paper to give its environmental message authenticity.
But it is more than that. It is a charming and touching little story about persistence and the wonder of nature, as well as the rewards you can gain from putting in the effort to create a garden.
Title: The Little Gardener
Author/Illustrator: Emily Hughes
Publisher: Flying Eye Books, $16.99
Publication Date: 1 May 2017
Format: Soft Cover
ISBN: 9781911171249
For ages: 3 - 7
Type: Picture Book