PPBF: My Garden

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

My Garden, by Kevin Henkes

My Garden
Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes

Greenwillow, 2010

Ages 2-7, 280 words

Themes:
Gardening, Imagination


Opening:

"My mother has a garden. I'm her helper. I water. I weed.

And I chase away the rabbits so that they don't eat all the lettuce.

It's hard work, and my mother's garden is very nice,

But if I had a garden..."

Synopsis:

A little girl delights in her mother's garden, but dreams of a magical garden of her own where sea shells and jelly beans grow, chocolate rabbits abound, and the flowers change color at her whim.

What I Love:
I love the style Henkes uses, part child's marker-drawing, part linocut, part fabric pattern. His pages are bursting with child-like colors and almost smell like spring. He captures the young narrator's voice flawlessly. For example, the carrrots in her garden are invisible, because she doesn't like to eat them!

Bonus: 

I found this umbrella garden on DIY Enthusiasts

1. The author/illustrator has produced a teachers guide for My Garden and other books on his website.
2. Kids Play Box designed an adorable jelly bean bush crafts inspired by this book. You'll find the instructions on their blog.
3. In the book, the garden unexpectedly sprouts buttons, old rusty keys, and umbrellas. Decorate your garden with colorful recycled key windchimes from Inner Child Fun. Faithtap showcases a dozen planter ideas from your closet including umbrella planters. DIY button stepping stones from Make Your Mark are brilliant!
4. The Science of Spring website is brimming with kid-friendly garden ideas including teacher packets for all grade levels.
5. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.

Reviewed by Loni

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Reviewed by Diane

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!
Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, May 20, 2016 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.