Grown with love

A young plant grafter struggles to find a solution to a neighbor's persistent case of "black-thumbitis." Oliver's plants are a gift to those around him. His "Climatus Enduris" extends like an umbrella over the mail carrier, keeping him dry in the rain, while his "Shrub Architectis" fences in Ms. Lloyd's yard so her puppy can't run off. When Oliver meets Mrs. Kroftombottom, he quickly realizes that her case is dire: She kills every plant she touches. Oliver tries planting some flowers that can survive even the toughest soil; they quickly die. And even Oliver's "Daisy Heavy-Dutyum" expires once he gives it to her. Oliver realizes that lonely Mrs. Kroftombottom and her plants need companionship and a little TLC to thrive. This charming story is a testament to the transformational power of meaningful relationships. The illustrations, reminiscent of stills from Pixar films, are most captivating when depicting Mrs. Kroftombottom's lonely home, the light from the window playing across the floor in an empty room. A close-up of a wall of photos is evidence of a life filled with love; several images depict Mrs. K. with a loving spouse, now missing from her life. The pacing and simplicity of this story make it an appropriate fit for the preschool and kindergarten crowd. Oliver is brown-skinned, while Mrs. Kroftombottom is light-skinned; their community is diverse. A sweet tug on the heartstrings.(Picture book. 4-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.