Love makes a garden grow

Grandpa's garden is filled with amazing plants. His young granddaughter comes to visit when she is small like a sprout, when she is taller than a sunflower, and later tall like a tree. Watching him water and prune, she gradually learns how to help care for the plants. He gives her a peony plant, her favorite flower, to nurture for herself. Peonies become a recurring symbol of his love for her. When her grandfather grows older, she helps him move to an apartment, bringing along a small group of potted plants, including bonsai. The girl becomes an adult with a home of her own, but she never forgets what her grandfather has taught her. Eventually she brings her own daughter to visit. The comforting cyclical story is told from an adult viewpoint, but by centering the granddaughter and great-granddaughter, the story stays relevant for younger readers. Digitally colored pencil illustrations give detail to the changing settings and emphasize the family connections.

A child helps their grandfather with his garden through significant life changes. To the little protagonist, Grandfather's garden feels big, with many flowers in the yard, bonsai trees on the balcony, and even a greenhouse. They spend time together reading about how to care for flowers, but sometimes the child feels like Grandfather cares more about his plants. That all changes when Grandfather gives the child a birthday present: a pot full of peonies, the protagonist's favorite flower. As the peonies grow, so does the child, and Grandfather and grandchild spend more time together taking care of the peonies. Time goes on, Grandfather moves out of his big house to a small apartment, and the child becomes an adult, moving far away, but Grandfather finds a way to send love and a piece of home to comfort the grandchild. Based on the author's childhood memories, this is a sweet story of an intergenerational relationship and a beautiful reminder that love can be expressed through actions, drawings, gifts, and time spent together. Emphasis on big life changes will resonate with readers of all ages. The simple text is brought to life with bright, cozy illustrations that capture the changing of time well. Both Grandfather and the child present as Asian. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A tender tale of how love and home can reach us even through life changes. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.