This 32-page picture book invites readers to explore the gardens of 11 different children around the world.

Each double spread presents a child of around 10 and their favourite place, their garden. Freyja’s ‘winter wonderland’ is covered in snow and ice and dotted with Icelandic sheep and horses. Violeta has carved out a ‘tiny plot’ for growing vegetables and flowers in urban Brazil. Ari plants native trees and watches over little blue penguins in coastal New Zealand. The children depicted have varied skin colours and clothing.

The text sits on both sides of the spread and is narrated in the 3rd person. It varies in structure from short, simple phrases to longer, lyrical sentences that include a rich range of adjectives, adverbs, similes and action verbs. Sensory language draws attention to the sights and sounds of each garden and the feeling each child experiences when they are there. Freyja feels the magic of her favourite place, while Ari knows he is protecting something important.

Glorious illustrations in pencil, watercolour and gouache bring to life the unique settings. Each double spread comprises two full-page illustrations that depict the child, the plants and animal life that surround them, as well as the broader landscape or cityscape. Readers will notice a wealth of detail and difference on every page: Aleppo pines, elephants, tulips, sugar maple. The countries aren’t explicitly stated, although readers may have fun trying to guess them from the text and illustrations. A page at the end of the book provides the location of each garden and puts to rest any potential debate.

‘In My Garden’ offers readers the opportunity to discover and learn about children’s gardens around the world, and how they look, sound and feel. Some locations may be familiar, while others will provide a window into a new environment, culture and climate, and a useful starting point for discussions on similarities and differences.