Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Mortimer's First garden
Illustrator: Dan Andreasen
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 6
Simon and Schuster, 2009 ISBN: 978-1416942030
Mortimer Mouse is tired of seeing the "dull," "drab," and "dreary" winter garden world outside. It would be so wonderful to have something green to look at again. At least he has three sunflower seeds to eat. Happily, he munches up two seeds. Then he hears the "big people" coming into the room. They are talking about "a garden" and how seeds can grow into "more seeds or vegetables" if they get enough sunshine and water. Mortimer doesn't believe a word of what the people are saying at first, but then he decides to sacrifice his last sunflower seed to see if his one seed can "turn into many."
In this delightful picture book, children will get to explore the "miracle" that takes place when a seed grows into a plant. Mortimer, a delightful little mouse who does not lose faith, is a charming book character, and readers who have enjoyed Karma Wilson's Bear books will quickly grow fond of this memorable mouse person.
