The Curious Garden Book Review

Book review by Kara Petersen

The Curious Garden

By Peter Brown

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8

• Hardcover: 40 pages

• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (April 1, 2009)

• Language: English

• ISBN-10: 0316015474

• ISBN-13: 978-0316015479

• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 0.5 x 11.2 inches

The Story:

The first time I heard of author/illustrator Peter Brown was when I stumbled upon this book, The Curious Garden. I was drawn to Brown’s fifth book because of the real life inspiration he drew from New York’s Highline train. As a lover of both public transportation and gardens, I was immediately attracted to this particular story. This is the tale of Liam whose curiosity and love of the outdoors lead him to a special discovery. When he finds a few plants growing over the tracks of an abandoned railway he knows he must help. Liam learns how to garden as he helps the plants grow. This story has two main characters, Liam and the Garden. It is fun to watch the development of the characters as both grow, figuratively and literally. What really stands out to me is the seamless integration of nature and city—reminding us even amongst brick and steel we are never very far from nature. This important lesson is illustrated further by the passing of the seasons. Little Liam doesn’t worry during winter when he is unable to spend time with his garden, instead he prepares for its arrival again in spring. When spring returns, Liam realizes he has cultivated more than a just a few plants as the Garden spreads throughout the city uniting nature with the people and creating community as it brings everyone together.

The Artwork:

Brown who is a graduate of the Art Center of Design in Pasadena, CA illustrated as well as wrote this story. The illustrations were done in acrylic and gouache on board. They are magnificent. The colors brighten as Liam’s garden grows, transforming the pages much in the way the garden transforms the city. The color palette is vibrant while still maintaining a soft quality. Brown’s strategic placement of the color red for Liam’s hair and rain boots and the door to his first garden are delightful clues to the reader. I also loved the music notes coming out of Liam’s mouth so the reader sees him singing to his garden even though it is not conveyed in the text. The multiple pictorial spreads without any text are very strong on their own and provide the reader with a quiet moment to let a creative garden bloom in their own mind.

The Passion:

The passion for nature and the outdoors jumps out at the reader from the beginning. Liam loves being outside—even on drizzly days, loving nature in all of its forms. The text and illustrations work beautifully together to remind us that nature is everywhere and we are a part of it.

The Message:

Nature reminds us of old and forgotten things and can make them new again. In the Author’s Note, Brown poses the questions to the reader: What would happen if an entire city decided to truly cooperate with nature? How would that city change? How would it all begin? We can all apply these questions to our own lives. With Earth Day just around the corner these are perfect questions to discuss with your little pickles.

The Conclusion: 

Buy or borrow this book and read it to your little pickles while they are planting their own garden. 

Tell us what gardening plans you have with your children this Spring. Please share by leaving a comment!