Wonder in the Garden

A day in the garden provides a child and dog ample time for play in a high-spirited picture book from Aikens-Nuñez and Freitas. Perspective- and size-distortion infuse sinuous, subtly stamp-textured digital art with an oversize energy as the outing cheerfully begins, “Every day, I say hi to my world. ¡Hola, mundo!/ And hi to my garden. ¡Hola, jardin!” As canine exploits propel the pair’s romp, the child mixes conversational observations (“Now I hide behind the collard greens”) with musings about their companion’s barks (“Is he saying Where are you?”). Eventually, the duo join Grandma, Grandpa, and others for a produce-forward dinner, making for a lively snapshot of garden-fueled fun. Figures cue as Latinx. Ages 3–5. (Mar.)