Rosie’s Garden

Rosie’s Garden by Olivia Coates, illustrated by Samantha McLelland (EK Books) HB RRP $27.99 ISBN: 9781921497056

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

The garden at Lot 33 is a special place for different people – notably Rosie, who likes to dig in the soil. But when the land is sold, enormous excavators rip out the plants, and a giant skyscraper is constructed. Rosie thinks about all of her friends from the garden, and suddenly she has an idea. She marches straight to the top of the skyscraper to visit the Big Boss, Poppy. When Rosie lays out her plan for a rooftop garden, Poppy thinks it is ‘genius’. Now Rosie and her friends have a new patch to tend, high above the city.

This inspiring story by Olivia Coates blossoms into a brilliant environmental message that is perfect for kids aged four to eight, particularly those who don’t have access to a yard. Themes of community, friendship and bravery sprout across the pages, encouraging young readers to take a stand when an important issue arises – even when they feel small and helpless.

Samantha McLelland uses colour well in the illustrations, contrasting the bright and happy hues of Rosie and her friends at work in their garden with the dull browns and greys of the new building. Kids will get an inkling of how the Big Boss will respond to Rosie when they see Poppy’s green jacket, the watering-can in her hand and the pot plants on her windowsill.

The clever use of areas such as rooftops, balconies and patios is becoming more and more vital as urban density increases. Rosie’s Garden reveals that when kids feel empowered, thoughtful visions can grow into sustainable solutions.