In The Garden With Flori

Batchelder Honor recipient Sonja Danowski has created a new story reminding us that love, patience, and a sense of humor help any garden to flower.\nWhat a fuss! Linn’s grandfather broke his leg. Fortunately, his granddaughter Linn offers to take care of his spectacular garden. After all, Linn has helped out in the garden many times and knows a lot about plants. With Linn’s dog, Flori, and her good friend, Emi, by her side what could go wrong? But when mischievous Flori causes a mess, Linn has to learn to deal with a difficult situation. Taking responsibility for the first time is a big step. Together with Linn, we experience pride in the trust placed in us as well as self-doubts along the way. Sonja Danowski's lovingly detailed illustrations appear almost lifelike and unfold with incomparable magic.\nFrom School Library Journal\nGr 3-4-With Grandpa in the hospital, it is up to a young girl, Linn, and her dog Flori to take care of his prized garden, which is infested with snails. Can Linn save the flowers without letting Grandpa know? This book about gardening and love boasts elaborately old-fashioned illustrations full of eye-catching details. However, the story is clunky, inflating Linn's worry only to have it deflated without comfort at the end, and a detail about a missing watch mattering more to Grandpa than the large concerns Linn has shouldered. VERDICT While the book has an underlying message about love, the wordiness and stumbling story line leave something to be desired.-Katherine Forsmanα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.