An Important Look at the Wonders of Gardens: ALL THAT GROWS

Groundwood Books, 2024

With words and pictures by JACK WONG, ALL THAT GROWS is a glorious celebration of the heart of growing things, of the magical marveling that gardens can (and do) instill. A glance at that cover will confirm my assertion, and, I hope, entice you to take as close a look at this book as this character is taking of those sprouts. Each and every page offers varied perspectives of the growing things, the tenders of those things, the ways in which we respond to the miracle of plant life, and the atmosphere surrounding this life-giving time of year. That begins with the densely lush solid green endpapers, the bursting crocus blossoms on the title page, and the sense-evoking images and language:

"Magnolias smell like lemon cake." This is the minimal but magnificent text on a double spread showing an enthralled woman sniffing a blooming magnolia blossom, welcome harbinger of true spring. Quickly readers learn of the younger gardener's admiring engagement with her nature-aware and knowledgeable older sister. Overnight changes, sun-dappled scenes, even the "chore" of weeding are depicted from fascinating angles. Wondering and "wowing" are as subtle as the tips and cautions that appear within the text that inspire, including lines like this,

"How does my sister know?", part of the minimalist text on a seemingly dark illustration with  moon-dappled dabs and an open-eyed, pillow-posed face. The aspects of these various illustrations are worth study in themselves and parallel the implied challenge of this work to TAKE TIME, not just to smell the roses but to notice nature. To get our hands dirty. To ask questions of ourselves, of available resources, and of those who have had time to learn more. 

This is not the first book I've shared that celebrates plants, gardens, and the marvel of Mother Nature hard at work. One earlier post included three such great picture books, HERE. As this post goes live on ARBOR DAY/EARTH DAY, April 22, another earlier post offers even more ideas, HERE. There are big ways and small to do your/our part on Earth Day and beyond, but none is better than to turn over some soil (in a garden or pot or even helping a farmer till acreage!) Happy celebration of all THINGS THAT GROW!