How+My+Garden+Grew

Book Review by Lauren Mikulak

Anne and her late husband Harlow Rockwell are writers of many children’s books. After the birth of their daughter Hannah, Anne and Harlow began to work together to publish children’s books. Her first book, __Paul and Arthur Search for the Egg__, was published in 1964. After the birth of their second child, Oliver, Anne and Harlow moved to Old Greenwich, Connecticut in the early 1970’s. By 1977, Anne and her husband were collaborating children’s books full-time. In 1988, Harlow Rockwell passed, their daughter, Hannah (referred to as Lizzy) began to publish books with her mother. As of today, Anne and her daughter Lizzy have published close to twenty different children’s books. To this day, Anne continues to publish children’s books with her daughter.
 * Author Biography**

__How My Garden Grew__ – Anne & Harlow Rockwell Publisher: MacMillan Publishing CO., INC. New York (1982) Hardcover: $6.95, 22 pages ISBN code: 0-02-777660-3 AACR2 Age range: 3-7 years Language: English
 * Biographical Data**

__ How My Garden __ Grew, is a short story about a little boy and his garden. The little boy planted and watered seeds in his garden. He observed the growth of his garden. Also, he enjoyed the toad, lady bugs, and praying mantis that lived in his garden. Eventually, the little boy picked the plants that grew in his garden. As seasons changed, the little boy admired his plants, such as sunflowers, pumpkins, and marigolds. He saved sunflower seeds for the birds in the winter time. When spring arrived, the little boy planted a new garden.
 * Summary**

I admire several aspects of this book. This book contains several illustrations that make the story come to life. The illustrations include several different plants, such as pumpkins and marigolds, which children can identify. Also, the language in this book is fairly simple, and eases the difficult process for beginner readers. Also, the story line in this book demonstrates to young children how to maintain a sense of responsibility. The little boy was able to care for and maintain a garden throughout the different seasons. Furthermore, the little boy was caring towards other animals. For example, the little boy saved sun flower seeds from the fall, and fed the seeds to the birds in the winter. Overall, this book is great for beginner readers.
 * Book Review**

An important literary element to the story is the illustrations that are seen throughout the book. Anne & Harlow Rockwell included several clear and colorful illustrations to attract the reader’s attention. These illustrations allow the readers to get a clear picture of what is being described. For example, a child at the age of three may not know the life cycle of a plant in a garden. Anne and Harlow Rockwell’s illustrations clearly display the growing process of pumpkins, marigolds, sunflowers, and string beans. Also, the facial expression on the little boy demonstrates his enjoyment from maintaining a garden. On page 2, the little boy has a wide grin as he says, “I planted in my garden.” This illustration immediately shows children that gardening can be fun. The illustrations in the story engage readers.
 * Analysis of Literary Development (Illustrations)**

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