Book cover of The Curious Garden

Book description

This gorgeously illustrated picture book opens to a detailed spread of a gray city. If you look closely, you can spot the tiny figure of a red-headed boy, Liam, walking down the street. THE CURIOUS GARDEN tells the story of how this young boy discovers a door that leads up…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Curious Garden as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Out for a walk one day in his dreary urban neighbourhood, Liam stumbles upon a patch of dying plants growing around an abandoned railway track. Although he knows nothing about growing things, he can see the plants need a gardener, so he decides to help them. 

The story of what happens to the garden is charming, but what makes this book a favourite of mine is Liam—a little master of equanimity and confidence. Instead of feeling insecure about his lack of gardening experience and knowledge, he sees a need and gets to work. Rather than fretting about his failed attempts,…

From Laura's list on gardening as community building.

A boy in a dreary city discovers a few plants on a rooftop and begins to care for them. His garden grows, and in time his efforts lead to the transformation of his gray city to a garden city. This book looks at the possibilities for creating green spaces in drab urban landscapes. Although the other books I’m recommending are nonfiction, The Curious Garden paints a magical picture of how plants can transform our lives and communities. The book can be a call to action for children to plant their own gardens, particularly if they live in cities.

From Kate's list on children’s books about gardening.

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When Jesus Became God by Richard E. Rubenstein,

Was Jesus of Nazareth a remarkably holy man and a prophet, or was he God in human form? This question tore the early Christian community apart in the fourth century CE, generating 60 years of violent conflict and raising questions that still concern millions of people worldwide.

"A splendidly dramatic…

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