Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
And the Good Brown Earth
Picture Book
For ages 3 to 5
Candlewick, 2003 ISBN: 978-0763623012
Gram and Joe have wonderful times in the garden together. Each in their own way plant, care for, watch over, and think over their plots, experiencing the joys of the changing seasons and recognizing every so often that no matter what they do in their gardens "the good brown earth got on with doing what the good brown earth does best."
Thus it is that Gram and Joe's gardens both flourish, one very orderly and neat, the other wild and full of exuberant life. Both gardens are abundant; both give the gardeners wonderful food for the winter months.
We are reminded that no matter how you go about creating your garden, "the good brown earth" will help nourish and care for what you have planted. The author has created an atmosphere of rich earthy warmth, of green growing things and of the great satisfaction that can be enjoyed when one grows things and reaps the rewards of one's labors. Kathy Henderson's unique multimedia artwork captures the earthy and rustic nature of her subject with fascinating textures, styles and colors.
