Richards’s love for nature is evident throughout this fanciful debut, in which fairies alight on lush flowers, “leaving trails of stardust in their wake,” and playful spirits with “hearts of gold” cavort through the foliage. Adele has an eye for magic, and her ready willingness to spot it at every opportunity will resonate with younger readers. She quickly picks up on Albert’s gentle nudging that a little bit of hard work and a lot of love can help even a neglected seed spring to life. Together, Adele and her gnome make a marvelous pair as they set off on the adventure of a lifetime: he is thoughtful and wise, while Adele is an enthusiastic learner who finds even the dreariest garden tasks a joy.
That winning combination will warm hearts as the story builds to an uplifting restoration. Richards drops plenty of gardening tips for younger readers along the way, who can expect to learn pearls such as lavender’s calming ability, the patience required for composting, and the role different creatures (an earthworm, ladybug, and majestic oak tree, to name a few) play in the garden. Whimsical black-and-white illustrations light up with brilliant pops of color, and Richards dedicates space at the end to sustainability, including a special composting recipe for readers to try at home.
Takeaway: A young girl restores a garden, thanks to a little magic.
Comparable Titles: Pat Zietlow Miller’s In Our Garden, Kate Messner’s Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: B+
Illustrations: A-
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
