From one of the great creative teams in picture books, On the Other Side of the Garden is about a city girl learning to accept the change brought about by her parents’ separation when she is taken to her grandmother’s house in the country and befriended by an owl, a frog and a mouse.

When her father leaves her at her grandmother’s house, the young girl at the center of this story feels abandoned and lonely. Her mother has moved to another country, and the girl wasn’t paying attention when her father explained what was happening. And she hardly remembers her grandmother.

After going up to her room she decides to venture out into the nighttime garden where she meets an owl, a frog and a mouse. They take her on a tour of her extraordinary new world. When she gets back in the morning, her grandmother explains that her father won’t be back for a long time. The girl tells her that she wants to be able to spend time in the garden with the plants and animals of this new world, and her grandmother doesn’t seem to be either surprised or alarmed by her nighttime adventures. And she is very happy that the girl and she will get to know each other.

Buitrago’s stories are noted for conveying large truths through understatement and suggestion. This story, beautifully illustrated by Yockteng, shows how a child can use her own bravery and curiosity to confront frightening and potentially destructive realities such as a parents’ separation and being left with an almost unknown relative through what we must assume is a situation where her father had no choice.

There is an endnote about the plants and animals that might be found in such a garden.

Out March, 2018

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was discussing books with a friend and was referred this book simply because of the illustrations, they’re gorgeous!  The whole book is beautifully laid out with stunning artwork that help to tell the story of a young girl left with her grandmother and her issues reflecting many heard about in today’s times.

I loved the story but felt it should have had a few more pages. I know, I know, this would not be according to the layout publishers seek when putting picture books together, however, I feel the story would have had a stronger impact if it had contained a few more pages.

With that said, just lovely pictures and quite the find.

I gave this book: