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Publisher:
Flashlight Press |
Release
Date: April 2004 |
ISBN:
0972922504 |
Awards:
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Format
Reviewed: Hardbound |
Buy
it at Amazon |
Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
Full-color Picture book (Ages 4 - 8) |
Reviewed:
2004 |
Reviewer:
Jan Fields |
Reviewer
Notes: Flashlight
Press |
Copyright
MyShelf.com |
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Holly Bloom’s Garden
By Sarah Ashman and
Nancy Parent
Illustrated by Lori Mitchell
Sometimes
I am amazed by how many “you can do anything you set your
mind to” books exist, when as adults we know that you can’t
really do anything you set your mind to. Some people are just better
at some things. Holly Bloom’s Garden explores this theme with
a nice nod to reality. Holly really isn’t as good at gardening
as the rest of her family -- but that doesn’t mean she can’t
use what she is good at and find her own success.
The text of
the book is lively, despite the gardening theme. My 4-year-old daughter,
who has zero interest in gardening, had to be dragged to the reading
room for this story, but once she heard it, she asked for it again
and again. It definitely speaks to children who sometimes feel a
bit unsuccessful. And it’s a smooth read aloud without any
of the accidental tongue twisters you sometimes find in picture
books.
The illustrations
are detailed and lovely. Lori Mitchell has created a Holly who is
appealing and totally real. In some ways, the look lacks some of
the flash of books by larger publishers, but it creates a warm and
comforting place for young readers.
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