breacommelafromage's review against another edition
2.0
The story was kind of meh, but the artwork was FANTASTIC!
cweichel's review against another edition
5.0
I've read this book a couple of times now, and it just gets better with each reread. There is more time to relish the gorgeous illustrations, to get lost in the minute detail. There's more time savor all the nuances and layers of meaning in the text.
leaflibrary's review
3.0
A tiny human(?) lives in a garden, tending it gently and living off its gifts. But the gardener is simply too small to take care of such a big piece of land. He takes a depression nap and when he wakes up, wow, bigger human children have stepped in to tend the garden.
This book is GORGEOUS: dark, detailed, dreamy. The story is like a Borrowers version of [b:My Year of Rest and Relaxation|36203391|My Year of Rest and Relaxation|Ottessa Moshfegh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513259517s/36203391.jpg|55508660]. The protagonist makes a wish for change - for help - and falls asleep for a month. That seems a little like a cop-out, right?? The result - to him - is temporarily magical. But is it sustainable? Will kids learn that they should try hard, give up, and go to bed? Granted, that can be the best course of action occasionally. It certainly worked for this cute tiny guy.
This book is GORGEOUS: dark, detailed, dreamy. The story is like a Borrowers version of [b:My Year of Rest and Relaxation|36203391|My Year of Rest and Relaxation|Ottessa Moshfegh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513259517s/36203391.jpg|55508660]. The protagonist makes a wish for change - for help - and falls asleep for a month. That seems a little like a cop-out, right?? The result - to him - is temporarily magical. But is it sustainable? Will kids learn that they should try hard, give up, and go to bed? Granted, that can be the best course of action occasionally. It certainly worked for this cute tiny guy.
andizor's review
4.0
The little gardener loved his little garden. It was his home and his food and his life. But he's very very little and isn't sure that he can keep up with everything all by himself. So he makes a wish...
The Little Gardener is a beautiful book (like most Flying Eye and NoBrow titles). Emily Hughes' illustrations are lush and rich and remind me of the Secret Garden coloring book by Johanna Basford, wild and tangled vegetation. Every part of the picture is a feast for the eyes. Hughes' attention to detail is awesome and I couldn't help but search each page for the little gardener's earthworm friend and other little treasures. The text is simple but powerful, reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown's books. Possibly my favorite part of the physical book itself is the little flower that runs along the edge of the cloth spine. Possibly my favorite part of the text is Hughes' dedication: "For my Pappy, Petunias still bloom for you, as do I." Beautiful.
My copy courtesy of Flying Eye Books. Much thanks.
The Little Gardener is a beautiful book (like most Flying Eye and NoBrow titles). Emily Hughes' illustrations are lush and rich and remind me of the Secret Garden coloring book by Johanna Basford, wild and tangled vegetation. Every part of the picture is a feast for the eyes. Hughes' attention to detail is awesome and I couldn't help but search each page for the little gardener's earthworm friend and other little treasures. The text is simple but powerful, reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown's books. Possibly my favorite part of the physical book itself is the little flower that runs along the edge of the cloth spine. Possibly my favorite part of the text is Hughes' dedication: "For my Pappy, Petunias still bloom for you, as do I." Beautiful.
My copy courtesy of Flying Eye Books. Much thanks.
tashrow's review
5.0
The gardener loves his garden and he works hard in it, but he’s not that good at gardening. He feels often that he is too small for the job. He does manage to grow one tall red flower that gives him energy and hope. After working so hard, he knows that if something doesn’t change he will soon be out of food, out of a home, and no longer able to live in the garden he loves so much. He falls asleep, exhausted after making a wish that something will happen. Someone notices his flower in the garden and start to work. As the gardener sleeps, the people work on the garden, transforming it into flowers rather than weeds. The little gardener’s flower inspired them to make a change and in turn their work allowed him to live on as the gardener in the place he adores.
Told very simply, this picture book from the author of Wild is about a truly tiny gardener who is smaller than the weeds that he is battling. The writing is simple with a wonderful tone, very understated with the illustrations bringing the real truth to the reader. At the same time, there is a sense of wonder throughout the text that speaks to the power of wishes, the joy of being in just the right place for yourself, and the pleasure of a simple life.
Hughes’ illustrations are phenomenal. She captures the wildness of the weeds, the beauty of a single red flower rising above them, and then the bounty of a newly planted garden. She also captures the size of the little gardener, showing him to be almost fairy-like in his size, dwarfed and protected by the plants around him. That size allows Hughes to focus closely on the plants, creating a jungle out of the garden.
Beautifully illustrated and with a lovely look at a little life well lived, this picture book would be a great addition to gardening story times. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Told very simply, this picture book from the author of Wild is about a truly tiny gardener who is smaller than the weeds that he is battling. The writing is simple with a wonderful tone, very understated with the illustrations bringing the real truth to the reader. At the same time, there is a sense of wonder throughout the text that speaks to the power of wishes, the joy of being in just the right place for yourself, and the pleasure of a simple life.
Hughes’ illustrations are phenomenal. She captures the wildness of the weeds, the beauty of a single red flower rising above them, and then the bounty of a newly planted garden. She also captures the size of the little gardener, showing him to be almost fairy-like in his size, dwarfed and protected by the plants around him. That size allows Hughes to focus closely on the plants, creating a jungle out of the garden.
Beautifully illustrated and with a lovely look at a little life well lived, this picture book would be a great addition to gardening story times. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
ellielabbett's review
4.0
This is a really sweet story that follows the journey of a tiny little gardener who is trying to keep his home alive. It has a lovely message about accepting that some things are beyond our ability, and can be overcome through a helping hand from someone else. I especially liked that Hughes uses something as simple as a flower as a giver of strength and to symbolize hope.
This would be a great starter for learning about plants in Science.
This would be a great starter for learning about plants in Science.
nicolemillo's review
3.0
Very sweet. The story is really simple, but I like how, as in [b:Wild|17318511|Wild|Emily Hughes|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1380699885s/17318511.jpg|23987574], Emily Hughes' fantastic characters live in a wild world brimming with nature that is hidden in the unexplored/unnoticed pockets of our own world.
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