The Little Gardener

Author(s): Emily Hughes

Picture Books

There was once a little gardener and his garden meant everything to him. He worked hard, very hard, but he was just too little (or at least he felt he was).In this gentle, beautiful tale, Emily Hughes, the celebrated author of "Wild," departs from the larger than life Wild-girl of her debut to pursue a littler than life Gardener, in a story that teaches us just how important it is to persist and try, no matter what the odds.With delicately woven tapestries of illustrated magic, Hughes once again transports us to a world not unlike our own, while still brimming with fantasy and wonder.Emily Hughes was born in Hawaii but lives and works in the United Kingdom. She is inspired by Chinese cinema and illustrators such as Blair Lent and Gyo Fujikawa. Her work has been exhibited across the capital and her book "Nana Shaped Like a Banana" came second in the 2012 Macmillan Prize for Children's Picture Books. Her first picture book has been highly successful in bookshops and libraries across the United States and United Kingdom.

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Emily Hughes' spare prose allows her gorgeous artwork to tell the story of the gardener and the single flower that brings him inspiration and hope. Layered with meaning, this is a book worth lingering over and cherishing."NPR," Best Books 2015 Through economical text and luscious illustrations, Hughes captures the daunting challenge (and sometimes despair) of environmental stewardship. However, she ends her story on a hopeful note as the Little Gardener's seemingly futile efforts inspire others to take up the cause."Huffington Post," Best Picture Books of 2015 It s a tender metaphor for the miracle of gardening. Hughes s rich, rhythmic storytelling voice and dark tapestry spreads carry perennial magic."Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW" Through economical text and luscious illustrations, Hughes captures the daunting challenge (and sometimes despair) of environmental stewardship. However, she ends her story on a hopeful note as the Little Gardener's seemingly futile efforts inspire others to take up the cause."Huffington Post" A lovely visual tribute to the persistent hard work behind every flourishing garden."Kirkus Reviews" What Hughes does with these colored-pencil illustrations is impressive. Brimming with details and earthy vibrance, they are more than up to the task of carrying the story visually. The garden setting also lends itself to some seek and find moments, when young readers will be looking closely to spot the gardener among the flora. It s a little story about some pretty big emotions: persistence, dedication, and love. It s also a book that might make you cry happy tears during story time. A beauty."100 Scope Notes, Best New Book" [...] charming, immeasurably sweet [...] Hughes s illustrations, vibrant and deeply alive, capture that strange tapestry of tenderness and wilderness of which the human soul is woven. [...] a heartwarming delight in its entirety [...]"100 Scope Notes, Best New Book" The Little Gardner is different from Wild on the surface, but it still shows the affinity children have with nature and wild things. [] This story subtly validates the experience of failure while keeping a sense of hope blooming. I m very impressed at how Hughes addresses the deep feelings of insecurity children have. In The Little Gardner, she shows how the efforts little ones make, even if they don t entirely succeed, inspire those bigger than they are. In The Little Gardner, she shows how befriending nature and tending to a garden keeps hope in your heart."Joy Corcoran""

Emily Hughes was born in Hawaii, but lives and works in the United Kingdom. She is inspired by Chinese cinema and illustrators such as Blair Lent and Gyo Fujikawa. Her work has been exhibited across the world and her book "Nana Shaped Like A Banana" came second in the 2012 Macmillan Prize for Children's Picture Books. "Wild," her first picture book has been highly successful in bookshops and libraries across the US and UK.

General Fields

  • : 9781909263437
  • : Flying Eye Books
  • : Flying Eye Books
  • : 0.363
  • : February 2015
  • : 260mm X 230mm X 10mm
  • : United Kingdom
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Emily Hughes
  • : Hardback
  • : 1506
  • : en
  • : 823.92
  • : 40
  • : illustrations