the forever garden

Reviewed by: Kelley Goodfield - SAD # 55, Hiram, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 11, 2017

Review

According to the Author’s note, this story is based loosely on a Talmudic tale that has a message of taking care of the earth and each other. In the forever garden, Honey spends a lot of time in her garden tending her plants. The little girl who lives next door watches Honey from the fence and the window. On nights when Honey eats in the garden, the little girl goes over to enjoy dessert. When Honey announces that she needs to move to take care of her mother, the little girl is concerned about the garden. Honey explains that the garden belongs to everyone and someone else planted there before her. The little girl asks to plant a tree and labels it Honey and Laurel’s tree so that people will know the tree belongs to them. When new neighbors move into Honey’s house, Laurel has to show them how to take care of the garden. The digitally colored pen and ink illustrations are warm and delightful just like this touching tale. This would be a good story to emphasize friendship and taking care of the earth.

Overall Book Score: very good