Memory Garden

by Zohreh Ghahremani, Susie Ghahremani (Illustrations)

A lively afternoon together in Nana’s garden is full of laughter, discovery, and connection. In lyrical text that blends past and present, Memory Garden takes us to the places we leave behind but never forget.


Written and illustrated by a loving mother daughter duo, the nostalgic text and vibrant illustrations invite us to enjoy the beauty of Iranian gardens – and culture - in an adventure that will resonate with readers of all backgrounds.

Godwin Books

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Family, Gardening, Iran, Middle East

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 27, 2024

About the author

Dr. Zohreh (Zoe) Khazai Ghahremani is the author of SKY OF RED POPPIES, winner of KPBS’s One Book, One San Diego 2012. Her sophomore novel, THE MOON DAUGHTER, was named 2014's Best Published General Fiction by the San Diego Book Awards.

An immigrant, Zohreh draws heavily from her Iranian-American culture in her writing.

Visit her online at http://zoeghahremani.com

Reviews

[Jude Atwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a warm family story here, told with poetic attention to detail, and the illustrations are vibrant and lovely.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memory Garden is a beautiful story about a grandmother and granddaughter who garden together, the grandmother reminiscing about her childhood garden in Iran, which she had to leave behind when she immigrated. It is incredibly touching, and will resonate with immigrants and their children and grandchildren (I say as the grandchild of an immigrant). It's also a beautiful story about bonding over gardening! The art is absolutely breathtaking, the plants are vividly brought to life. Highly recommended.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little girl loves helping her Nana in the garden and loves hearing stories from when Nana lived "back home" in Persia. She shares memories and family stories while they tend to the garden. Despite the sad subtext, this is a joyful and loving narrative of intergenerational love and traditions. The illustrations are GORGEOUS gorgeous -- gouache on vellum with Persian motifs and lush colors. Important and beautiful.

[Shalma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful read. My grandmother (my last living grandparent) passed away unexpectedly last month, and I am so thankful to have this book on my bookshelf at the right time in life.

I’m thrilled to see an author I enjoy, Zohreh Ghahremani, do such a great job with children’s literature, a genre I enjoy very much. Even sweeter is the fact that her daughter, Susie, is the illustrator. I’m now a big fan of Susie’s work and am excited to visit her Etsy shop.

It’s a true gift to have Iranian life and culture be reflected in children’s books. Beautifully done.

[Jameson Fink · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming, moving, and lovingly written and illustrated children's book about a girl gardening with her Nana. Their day is full of conversation and stories among flowers, fruit, and insects. I can't help but think these evocative images and their accompanying words would inspire young, inquisitive minds. Memory Garden, to quote the back cover, also tells "a larger story of immigration and change." Which is something anyone, regardless of their age, can take to heart.

Memory Garden is a mother-daughter collaboration, written by Zohreh Ghahremani and illustrated by her daughter, Susie Ghahremani. I've long been a fan of the latter's art and recommend checking out her work at boygirlparty.com.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulls you in and tells a beautiful story. Illustrations on each page are works of art.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this was written and illustrated by a mother/daughter duo. Makes this family values book even more special.

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories about gardens and families. They just work so well.

This is a grandmother/granddaughter pair who are working in their garden together. The grandmother tells stories of her old garden growing up while they work in the new garden. The grandmother had to move from her country and doesn't say a whole lot about it. The two share memories by gardening.

The artwork is very beautiful. The designs and flowers are lovely. I love garden art as well. She had quite the garden with apple trees and all sorts of things. I miss my own garden. Being a renter, I'm afraid, I'll never have my own garden again. Maybe, one of my last goals is to have my own garden someday again. I had a green thumb back then. I wonder if I still have it.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

About connecting through gardening and remembering (and passing on, in a way) a place you loved but can't return to. The illustrations have a lot of warmth, and the Iranian/Persian motifs do come through.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I read a digital advanced reader's copy courtesy of the publisher
A grandmother and grandchild tend a California garden while the grandmother remembers the garden of her youth

[Stephanie Lucianovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is impossibly beautiful. The story is gently sorrowful with hope seeded throughout and the art is beyond what I have ever seen in a children's picture book.

[Isabel Bryan [the Bookmark Hoarder] · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grandmother shares with her granddaughter what her garden "back home" was like as they take care of their garden in America.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book captures a lovely conversation between a grandmother and her granddaughter about her childhood and life in a different country.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quiet story, where a grandmother shares memories and stories about her childhood garden, with her granddaughter while gardening together.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Memory Garden is a beautiful book with colorful illustrations. A young girl shares a love of gardening with her Nana. As they garden her Nana shares stories of the past.