Overview

"Evie lives the garden, especially on Monday's when the old gardener comes. He shows her everything in the garden, introducing her to the robin, the newts and the frogs.... Do you like making gardens?"" she asks I don't make gardens, Eve,"" he says, ""God does. I just help."" hen on Monday he doesn't come, and Mum says he won't be coming anymore. He has gone to help God all the time. But Evie will never forget him and all the things he has taught her."

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9781842702192

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'Michael Foreman has a flair for turning a book into a special occasion.' Quentin Blake

Michael Foreman looks right into the heart of a child and is able to draw what he sees there, not only in exquisite pictures but also with language as fresh and as tender as the plants and animals that feature in his latest book. While many children's writers tackle the theme of death, it is rare to find someone as honest and uncompromising as Foreman; he refuses to patronise his young readers but simply tells it as it is. The result is a glorious book, a celebration of one man's life and the unbounded joy he brings to a little girl. The legacy he leaves her will go on throughout her life and that is a precious gift which cannot be taken away from her. This is not a sad book, nor is it particularly solemn or profound - it is simply an evocation of the absolute rightness of the natural order, a rightness which Evie and her mother accept with no tears or regrets. Evie has always loved her garden and looks forward to Mondays when George comes to do whatever is needed, depending on the weather and the season. He introduces her to the animals and birds, lifts her up to the blossoms to inhale their scent, lets her help him with the autumn bonfires and planting the seeds. For Evie, winter is a time when the garden is sleeping, waiting for the first breath of spring, the snowdrops and the first frog splashing in the pond. George has seen the cycle of life in the garden many times and rejoices in watching Evie's wonder as the seasons roll round. This is a book about the special relationship which often develops between a child and an elderly person - there are no barriers between Evie and George; they speak freely about their love for the garden and the importance of God in creating it. When George dies, Evie knows the garden will carry on, as long as she takes over as God's helper, a challenge she takes up with love and joy. Foreman's beautiful illustrations perfectly complement the compassion of his writing. George casts a tender glance at Evie as she picks some flowers; he gazes at her as she lies by the pond watching the tadpoles; they frolic together in the sunshine with the hosepipe and chat comfortably, almost unaware of the daisies entwined in their hair. It is a rare privilege to read a book of this calibre, to be granted access to this private world where death is acknowledged but never feared, because the promise of life returning is ever present; after every winter there will always be a spring. Ages 5-8 (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

Michael Foreman is one of the most talented and popular creators of children's books today. He has won the Kate Greenaway Medal twice and his highly acclaimed books are published all over the world. He is married and has three sons. He divides his time between St Ives in Cornwall and London.

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