What Grew in Larry's Garden
What Does Bookroo Think of This Book
Grace lives next door to Larry, an elderly teacher with a beautiful garden filled with unusual vegetables. She spends all her spare time there as they solve problems together (“We can figure this out”), from planting marigolds among the carrots to deter bugs (a tip Grace discovers on a trip to the library!) to building chicken wire cages around the tomatoes to keep out the squirrels. As a teacher, Larry helps his students form community ties by nurturing their own tomato plants and then gifting them to someone with a note explaining the gift. When a fellow neighbor builds a wall that blocks the sunlight (“The plants looked wilted. So did Larry.”), Grace draws inspiration from Larry and mediates the situation with seeds, a note, and some kindness in a way that brings the story full circle. Reich’s illustrations are gorgeous and inviting, filled with friendly-looking characters, uniquely stylized plants, and beautiful colors. Together with Alary’s text, they create a sense of growth and community that encircles readers with a feeling of empowerment and a desire to make the world a better place (and maybe even plant a garden!). Problem solving, conflict resolution, friendship, and creating community are all on display in this authentic story.
What Kind of Book is What Grew in Larry's Garden
Where Does This Book Stand Out
- Heartstrings
The “Heartstrings” badge is awarded to books that provoke an exceptionally tender emotional response.
- Thoughtful Citizen
The “Thoughtful Citizen” badge is awarded to recognize exceptional books that promote exemplary citizenship.
Reviews
This book gave me all the warm fuzzies! A beautiful story about gardening, community, and the power of simple acts of kindness
Book Lists That Include This Book
The Creatives Behind the Book
Laura has loved books since she was barely big enough to clamber up the steps to the Bookmobile that rolled into her Halifax neighbourhood once a week. At school, she made her own books out of manila paper, mucilage, and crayons. The first story she can remember writing was about a little girl who kept spilling paint and having to figure out how to turn the messes into pictures (a good rule for life). These days Laura considers herself very lucky to work in a beautiful library and write her own books. They look more professional than the home-made ones, but the joy of creating them is much the same. Laura also loves to sing, play guitar (a work in progress), and try to keep up with what her three children are reading. She makes her home in Toronto where, along with clover and a whole lot of dandelions, she does her best to grow kindness.
Kass Reich was born in Montreal Canada. She works as an artist and educator and has spent a majority of the last decade traveling and living abroad. Kass graduated with a degree in Art Education from Concordia University then picked up and moved to Beijing where she worked as an early childhood educator for nearly three years. Working with the little ones inspired her to start making picture books for very young learners. After Beijing she lived in Hong Kong, London England and Melbourne Australia. She now finds herself back in Canada but this time in Toronto.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9781525301087
- Publication Date
- April 7, 2020
- Publisher
- Kids Can Press
- Text Details
- Text is set in Minya Nouvelle
- Illustration Details
- Artwork was rendered with gouache paint and coloured pencils, with final touches added digitally.
- Page Count
- 32
- Audience
- Picture
- Reading Age
- 4 - 8 years
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