Planting Hope

Gardening provides a youth the opportunity to cultivate hope in Joseph and Kellam’s sensitive story. Young Henry “could never seem to get his little plant to grow,” despite support from his mother, who’s so skilled that “she once grew an entire orchard to help feed people who were hungry.” When a long-term illness keeps his mom indoors, her garden becomes “droopy, weak, and sad,” despite Henry’s efforts to keep it watered. Things look dire until a neighbor connects the child with the power of positive thinking. Henry begins telling his plants “I believe in you,” and their recovery presages that of his mother. Painterly backlit digital renderings embrace verdure inside and out, while dialogue-driven and emotion-laden narration point to the healing that can arise from nurturing. Characters are portrayed with brown skin. Ages 5–8. (Mar.)