Synopses & Reviews
By the author-and-illustrator team of the bestselling The LibraryLydia Grace Finch brings a suitcase full of seeds to the big gray city, where she goes to stay with her Uncle Jim, a cantankerous baker. There she initiates a gradual transformation, bit by bit brightening the shop and bringing smiles to customers' faces with the flowers she grows. But it is in a secret place that Lydia Grace works on her masterpiece -- an ambitious rooftop garden -- which she hopes will make even Uncle Jim smile. Sarah Stewart introduces readers to an engaging and determined young heroine, whose story is told through letters written home, while David Small's illustrations beautifully evoke the Depression-era setting.
Review
"[An] inspiring offering from creative collaborators..." Publishers Weekly
Review
"A moving, wonderfully rich illustrated story. It is that rarity, a pictorial delight that in 20 double pages gives more and more of itself each time it's read, and whose silent complexities reveal themselves with continuing pleasure." The New York Times Book Review
Review
"[A] lovely story exemplifying the old adage, 'Brighten the corner where you are,' and a good introduction to the epistolary form of storytelling. Small's marvelous pictures show the city in all its gritty variety..." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"This is a story to share one-on-one, talking about the pictures together and then poring over the details alone." School Library Journal
Review
"[The] muted backgrounds convey perfectly the urban 1930s setting where most of the story takes place." Booklist
Synopsis
After leaving her Depression-ridden home to live with Uncle Jim in the city, young Lydia Grace sees many empty window boxes and works hard to fill them all with beautiful flowers. A Caldecott Honor Book, ALA Notable, IRA Teachers' Choice, Publisher's Weekly and School Library Journal Best Books of the Year. Full-color illustrations.
Synopsis
When the Depression hits her family, Lydia Grace, 10, leaves her snug rural home and journeys to a nearby city to live with dour Uncle Jim. But Lydia is a resilient child and when she sees empty window boxes, she makes plans to fill them with flowers.
Synopsis
Lydia Grace Finch brings a suitcase full of seeds to the big gray city, where she goes to stay with her Uncle Jim, a cantankerous baker. There she initiates a gradual transformation, bit by bit brightening the shop and bringing smiles to customers' faces with the flowers she grows. But it is in a secret place that Lydia Grace works on her masterpiece an ambitious rooftop garden which she hopes will make even Uncle Jim smile. Sarah Stewart introduces readers to an engaging and determined young heroine, whose story is told through letters written home, while David Small's illustrations beautifully evoke the Depression-era setting.
About the Author
Sarah Stewart is the author of
The Money Tree and
The Library.
Her husband, David Small, illustrated those books as well as many others, including George Washington's Cows and Fenwick's Suit. Ms. Stewart and Mr. Small live in Michigan.