The Dog’s Gardener

The Dog’s Gardener

Written by: Storms, Patricia
Illustrated by: Dion, Nathalie
ages 3 to 7 / grades P to 2

A dog delights in a summer day spent in the garden with his owner, an avid gardener.

When a dog named Dutch hears the gardener going down the stairs each morning, he anticipates her every move. But most of all, he waits for the beautiful words, “Okay, Dutch. Let’s go outside.”

It’s a bright summer day. Dutch stands back from the dark, dusty toolshed, but the rest of the day is blissful — rolling in the dewy grass, waiting for a scratch behind his ears, napping on the gardener’s boots at midday and playing in the hose.

An amusing story about taking pleasure in the things we love, especially in the company of a good friend, written by Patricia Storms, with gorgeous illustrations by Nathalie Dion.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

A dog delights in a summer day spent in the garden with his owner, an avid gardener.

When a dog named Dutch hears the gardener going down the stairs each morning, he anticipates her every move. But most of all, he waits for the beautiful words, “Okay, Dutch. Let’s go outside.”

It’s a bright summer day. Dutch stands back from the dark, dusty toolshed, but the rest of the day is blissful — rolling in the dewy grass, waiting for a scratch behind his ears, napping on the gardener’s boots at midday and playing in the hose.

An amusing story about taking pleasure in the things we love, especially in the company of a good friend, written by Patricia Storms, with gorgeous illustrations by Nathalie Dion.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

Published By Groundwood Books Ltd — Apr 1, 2021
Specifications 36 pages | 8.25 in x 8.25 in
Written By

PATRICIA STORMS has worked as a short-order cook, a library technician, and a graphic designer, but her favorite thing to do by far is to make books for kids! She wrote and illustrated The Pirate and the Penguin and the much-loved Never Let You Go. She is the author of The Dog’s Gardener, illustrated by Nathalie Dion, and collaborated with her husband, Guy Storms, to write Moon Wishes, illustrated by Milan Pavlović. Patricia lives in Toronto, Ontario, in a cozy old house overflowing with books.

Illustrated by

NATHALIE DION is an illustrator living in Montreal who studied Design Arts at Concordia University. Her other children's books include I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree by Jean E. Pendziwol, The Biggest Puddle in the World by Mark Lee and What's in Your Purse? by Abigail Samoun. Nathalie has received a number of awards for her illustration and has exhibited her work in Montreal galleries.

Written By

PATRICIA STORMS has worked as a short-order cook, a library technician, and a graphic designer, but her favorite thing to do by far is to make books for kids! She wrote and illustrated The Pirate and the Penguin and the much-loved Never Let You Go. She is the author of The Dog’s Gardener, illustrated by Nathalie Dion, and collaborated with her husband, Guy Storms, to write Moon Wishes, illustrated by Milan Pavlović. Patricia lives in Toronto, Ontario, in a cozy old house overflowing with books.

Illustrated by

NATHALIE DION is an illustrator living in Montreal who studied Design Arts at Concordia University. Her other children's books include I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree by Jean E. Pendziwol, The Biggest Puddle in the World by Mark Lee and What's in Your Purse? by Abigail Samoun. Nathalie has received a number of awards for her illustration and has exhibited her work in Montreal galleries.

Audience ages 3 to 7 / grades P to 2
Reading Levels Fountas & Pinnel Text Level M
Guided Reading M
Common Core CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7

An evocative visual story evoking pleasurable outdoor experiences.

” —

Luscious, rich depth of color and effective visual design.

” —Kirkus Reviews

This is a lovely celebration of a simple, perfect summer day shared between friends.

” —Horn Book

Storms’ deliciously sweet and subtle text is beautifully matched by Dion’s sumptuous gouache illustrations.

” —Globe and Mail

Try to keep a child away from a garden after being introduced to its delights by Dutch.

” —Toronto Star

[A] simple, gentle text.

” —Postmedia

[A] perfect feel-good picture book for bringing joy to these troubled times.

” —CM Review of Materials

Funny, sweet, and wise.

” —Open Book

[A] soothing narrative.

” —Booklist

[A] sweet tale about best friends.

” —Canadian Children's Book News

The Dog's Gardener is what we should be: mindful of what we're doing and with whom and appreciating every positive moment.

” —Can Lit for LittleCanadians Blog