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kristenremenar's review against another edition
3.0
It's hard for me to rate this one. It's lovely and well-meant, but I wonder for whom it's intended. I am all about picture books can be for grown-ups, but this one seems to be trying to be something for everyone. I like that even when the soldiers tear out the plant, "roots are deep, and seeds spread" and the vine grows again the next spring. It feels like Foreman is trying to say a lot with this little book, and I applaud him for that, but still, it didn't ring strong for me.
gracegreenlaw's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautiful book. The illustrations really tell the story of hope growing as the plant brings colour and life to the previously very grey pages. A symbol that one day the war will be over the and the country reunited.
mat_tobin's review against another edition
4.0
When a child, trapped behind the barbed wire of a desolate city finds a tiny plant growing amongst the war-strewn rubble he decides that he must do all he can to feed and care for the plant. In time, he finds that it is a grapevine and as it grows, it brings children and birds to it to enjoy its shade and fruit. When soliders on the other side tear it down, the boy finds, to his luck that seeds are growing and tend to on the opposite side. In time, seeds and growth returns and the story ends with him dreaming of a great life and hope. This allegory of breaking down walls is done well by Foreman who uses pencil and bright watercolours to show the difference between the worlds and landscape.
sean67's review against another edition
4.0
There was something about this book which was truly inspiring and made you believe again. Beautiful story and images wrapped up in an overarching theme of hope, of seeing the light in the darkness, and of getting up and going once more, this was a great little book.
jdianm's review against another edition
A story that gives a sense of the ways one finds meaning despite grim situations of living in war. Tender drawings in gray colors give way to the bright green of sprouting vine and hope.
elephant's review against another edition
5.0
A child, who lives in ruins, guarded by soldiers and barbed wire, sees a vine grow on a fence. Though the soldiers tear it down, it always grows back. A story of hope for the end of war and fences.
stefhyena's review against another edition
5.0
if only the hope and resilience shown in this story was always true. A story about a place that is not here at a time that wasn't now. But also a story about things that are happening in this country again.
The powerless child in this awful human conflict becomes in small ways an agent of he small defiance which is hope and life. In reality maybe there are ways those hopes can be extinguished if the soldiers wanted to enough. In the story children on both sides kept hope alive for a better future.
We need these stories. We need them to be true.
The powerless child in this awful human conflict becomes in small ways an agent of he small defiance which is hope and life. In reality maybe there are ways those hopes can be extinguished if the soldiers wanted to enough. In the story children on both sides kept hope alive for a better future.
We need these stories. We need them to be true.
tashrow's review
4.0
This story of a child’s world reduced to rubble and devastation is one that will ring true with children of war, and ring warning bells with children who have not witnessed it. A young boy lives in ruins, separated from the green hills he loves by a fence. In the rubble, he discovers a shoot of green which he nurtures. It becomes a grapevine that covers the barbed wire fence, bringing butterflies and birds, and sheltering shade. The soldiers tear down the vine, leaving it dead. It isn’t until the next spring that the boy sees green sprouts on the other side of the fence and a little girl tending them. Then green sprouts appear on his side of the fence, where both vines grow to cover the fence in between.
Told simply and with great respect, this slim picture book manages to evoke hope, growth, change and community. Using imagery to make his case about war, Foreman has created a book that is accessible and profound. What a great image of green vine covering stark wire, life absorbing death, connection replacing coercion. At the same time, it can be read by small children as a vine, and a vine alone without losing much of its power and statement.
Perfect for discussing peace and community with classes, this book naturally starts dialogue and questions about the world, our own prosperity, and violence. Appropriate for ages 4-7.
Told simply and with great respect, this slim picture book manages to evoke hope, growth, change and community. Using imagery to make his case about war, Foreman has created a book that is accessible and profound. What a great image of green vine covering stark wire, life absorbing death, connection replacing coercion. At the same time, it can be read by small children as a vine, and a vine alone without losing much of its power and statement.
Perfect for discussing peace and community with classes, this book naturally starts dialogue and questions about the world, our own prosperity, and violence. Appropriate for ages 4-7.
ellielabbett's review
4.0
Set in a war torn city, ‘A Child’s Garden’ is an excellent story to explore the concept of hope and faith when trapped in the most difficult conditions. When a little boy finds a spurting shoot, he nurtures and cares for it until it spreads into the most beautiful garden, which continues to reseed and grow. This garden sparks community and friendship for the characters, which can lead to important talk about the healing power of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. Is it the nature that provides strength, or the presence of someone who wants to strive for life and find something more?
I loved the thoughtful choice of colour- war is so dark and muted, yet nature can bring such vibrancy and light, which can bring about excellent reading between the lines and the implications of choices in illustration.
I loved the thoughtful choice of colour- war is so dark and muted, yet nature can bring such vibrancy and light, which can bring about excellent reading between the lines and the implications of choices in illustration.