Children's Literature @ NYPL

Booktalking "The Curious Garden" by Peter Brown

This is a story about a city without any greenery who is saved by a little boy, Liam. The city seems dreary without flowers and plants, so Liam implements a solution. He saves a bit of grass and plants by watering it on a building's rooftop. Soon it expands, and he is able to trim the shrubs that grow into animal shapes.

Unfortunately, the snow of winter does some damage to the flowers and plants. However, with some tender loving care, the garden expands and takes over the rooftops of the city. Beautiful colors drape themselves over buildings, fire hydrants, you name it. Luckily, other kids take up Liam's movement, and gardens sprout up all over the city. 

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

I love nature, so this was the perfect book for me. I feast my eyes every fall on the brilliant florescent reds, oranges, and yellows that the leaves turn on the trees of Pelham Bay Park. The beauty is a little bit startling; I cannot stop staring at them. 

I love the creative hedge job on the cover of this book with plants carved into the shapes of birds and a butterfly. The book also has a couple of two-page wordless spreads adorned with beautiful flowers. 

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One more park reference!

I love this book both because of its unique urban/peaceful setting, but because it was inspired by one of my favorite parks in NYC, the High Line. It is located on formerly abandoned railroad tracks, like the garden in the book. http://www.thehighline.org/