Graham, Bob. Concrete Garden, The. Bob Graham, Illus. Candlewick Press, 11/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-3380-3. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.
Amanda, a young girl with brown skin and curly black hair, takes the elevator down with a diverse group of children and adults, some wearing masks, and shares out a big box of chalk, leading to the creation of a glowing, creative drawing in front of her apartment building. While Amanda’s initial drawing looks a little like a coronavirus, a diverse array of children add their own sometimes surprising touches to a garden that glows in the simple but beautiful illustrations. Neighbor Nasrin, wearing a hijab, photographs the drawing from above and sends it to her mother in Isfahan, Iran, starting a positive chain reaction of sharing and appreciating the children’s work. A deceptively simple storyline holds a lot of positive messages about sharing, community, and healing from a very difficult time. Graham’s use of a “city” palette of mostly greys and whites accented by the colorful children’s drawings is effective and appropriate for his message of inclusion and hope.
Lesley Mandros Bell—Unaffiliated