Whose Garden Is It? by Mary Ann Hoberman, Illustrated by Jane Dyer
Review by Issa S. (Issa-345)
Whose Garden Is It? is a children’s book officially tagged as for ages 4-8 but I found it more than appropriate for younger audiences.
In summary, Mrs. McGee is pushing her son/grandson on a walk and comes across one of the most beautiful gardens she has ever seen. Curious, she wants to find out whose garden is it. The question brings out a menagerie of answers from everyone and everything you can think of who all believe the garden belongs to them.
The story is told in rhyme which was surprising since the book is fairly long. The rhyme is fun to read and my toddler memorized her favorite line very quickly.
What I especially liked about the story was the introduction of animals not normally encountered in books such as voles, woodchucks, and wasps. Most of the animals speak in first person so if you are the type that likes to use different voices when reading aloud this book is perfect for you.
The garden is explored from all angles, from the gardener who works it to the animals who eat it to the seeds that form it to the sun that feeds it.
All of these aspects make the story entertaining for kids and adults and put a different spin on the usual flowers in a garden story. So many different ideas are covered which could make any follow up or later discussion possible for just about any age.
This book is a keeper for my little one.
Great review! I’ll be sending this one to the grandchildren 🙂