Every spring the little girl who lives next door to Rosario helps him plant vegetables. One spring, Rosario plants a fig tree, which soon bears sweet purple fruit. But when fall comes, he bends it over and buries it in the ground. What kind of magic is Rosario performing?
The next spring, on planting day, the little girl and Rosario make holes for tomato plants, push in stakes for beans and plant other vegetables. Then Rosario begins to unearth the buried fig tree. It looks dead, for sure. But one hot sunny day, a fresh green leaf appears.
Inspired by her next-door neighbor, Charis Wahl has written a sweet and simple story about a little girl’s first-hand experience with the magic of gardening. The story is complemented by Luc Melanson’s gently humorous illustrations.
Every spring the little girl who lives next door to Rosario helps him plant vegetables. One spring, Rosario plants a fig tree, which soon bears sweet purple fruit. But when fall comes, he bends it over and buries it in the ground. What kind of magic is Rosario performing?
The next spring, on planting day, the little girl and Rosario make holes for tomato plants, push in stakes for beans and plant other vegetables. Then Rosario begins to unearth the buried fig tree. It looks dead, for sure. But one hot sunny day, a fresh green leaf appears.
Inspired by her next-door neighbor, Charis Wahl has written a sweet and simple story about a little girl’s first-hand experience with the magic of gardening. The story is complemented by Luc Melanson’s gently humorous illustrations.
| Published By | Groundwood Books Ltd — Feb 22, 2015 |
| Specifications | 32 pages | 7.5 in x 9.875 in |
| Keywords | Lifestyles; City Life; Nature; Gardening; Gardening for Kids; Gardening for Children; Plants; Outdoors; Seasons; Tomatoes; Beans; Vegetables; Seasonal Plants; First Garden; Planting; Spring; Picture Books; Children's Books; Kids Books; Vegetable Garden; Fruit; Magic of Gardening; Friendship; Intergenerational; Storytime; Science; Trees; Gardens; Green Thumb; For Italian Grandchildren; For Latino Grandchildren; |
| Written By | Charis Wahl is an author and editor of books for children and adults. Her next-door neighbor of thirty-five years inspired her to write this book. She lives in downtown Toronto. |
| Illustrated by | Luc Melanson is a Governor General's Award-winning illustrator. He lives in Laval, Quebec. Visit Luc Melanson's website: http://www.lucmelanson.com/ |
| Written By |
| Charis Wahl is an author and editor of books for children and adults. Her next-door neighbor of thirty-five years inspired her to write this book. She lives in downtown Toronto. |
| Illustrated by |
| Luc Melanson is a Governor General's Award-winning illustrator. He lives in Laval, Quebec. Visit Luc Melanson's website: http://www.lucmelanson.com/ |
| Audience | ages 4 to 7 / grades P to 2 |
| Reading Levels | Lexile AD480L |
“A child's wonder at the care it takes to make things grow and the joys of fresh figs make an engaging story.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Perfect to introduce the wonder of growing things, this title is a recommended general purchase for all libraries.” —School Library Journal
“Beautifully written in a deceptively simple style. . . . Young readers will learn a great deal from this amazing picture book.” —CM Magazine
“This sweetly thoughtful story explores life and the wonders of gardening, as well as the edifying nature of intergenerational friendships.” —Booklist
“This sweet, simple tale of an unusual friendship is a winning choice.” —Resource Links
“[A] story of cross-cultural neighborliness.” —New York Times