An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children

by Jamaica Kincaid, Kara Walker (Illustrator)

A unique collaboration from two of America's leading artists that explores the fascination and hidden history of the plant world.

In this hard-hitting, witty, deeply original book, the renowned novelist Jamaica Kincaid offers an ABC of the plants that define our world and reveals the often brutal history of colonialism behind them.

Kara Walker, one of America's greatest visual artists, illustrates each entry with provocative, brilliant, enthralling, multilayered watercolors.

There has never been a book like An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children ―inventive, surprising, and telling―about what our gardens reveal about the truth of history.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Gardening, Childrens, Picture Books, Science, African American

96 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

Jamaica Kincaid is an Antiguan-American novelist, essayist, gardener, and gardening writer. She was born in St. John's, Antigua (part of the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda). She lives in North Bennington, Vermont (in the United States), during the summers, and is Professor of African and African American Studies in Residence at Harvard University during the academic year.

Reviews

[Jacqueline Nyathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what to expect, I went into this book excited to see the words of one of my favourite writers, Jamaica Kincaid, and the illustrations of an artist I respect, Kara Walker. I was delighted on the one hand, and very disappointed on the other.

The text is grimly, wonderfully snarky (although, truly, is it snark if it’s true?). My favourite is on Wordsworth’s I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud:

“This poem became canonical in the education of children who were subjects of the British Empire. For the most part, these children were native to places where a daffodil would be unable to grow and so would never be seen by them.”

because of course I learnt that poem as a child and ongoing project of the British Empire, and can still recite parts of it. I’ve never seen a daffodil 🥲

However. Sadly. Walker’s distinctive cut-paper silhouettes, the style I know her for, are only on the cover :((( Inside, the illustrations are all watercolour, and not the kind of watercolour I like. So that was a real letdown for me.

Still. This is brilliant for what it is: satire presented as a children’s book, a kind of gothic nursery book. I haven’t read anthying like this before; it’s wonderfully, refreshingly original, particularly because it turns the usual perspective on its head. Pick it up for this, and delight in it as I did.

Thank you to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and to NetGalley for early access.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not a children’s book! I absolutely loved the artwork and accompanying history of the plants, some familiar, described through the lens of the origins and abuses of power related to those plants. I wish there had not been the overlying religious history, told as if it were true. That imagination distracted and took away from the plants and people histories that are actually true and need to be told. I will enjoy further research into this garden.

[Camryn Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

dense as hell but still accessible. beautiful illustrations!

[jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I just said that I read children’s books for work this year, but I want to clarify that I bought this for myself… and you probably should too. As always, Jamaica Kincaid is a genius (if you are not familiar with her work, seriously stop reading this and google her short story ‘Girl’). The watercolors were AMAZING. Delightful.

[Michael Mcmaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations by Kara Walker (my reason for purchasing the book), and a great witty collection of encyclopedia entrees connecting gardening facts and global concerns about colonialism, race, religion and else by Jamaca Kincaid. This is a beautiful piece of art and a blast to read.

[Janelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Racist and inflammatory.

[Vanessa (V.C.) · Rating 3 out of 5]

First things first: the illustrations of this book are brilliant and are really what makes this worth reading. They are as colorful, child-like, wondrous, and lovely as they are witty, smart, and challenging. Where this book really, really suffers is the writing. I was so wowed by the illustrations, but something about the writing was cold, confusing, and really hard to follow, and I can't really pinpoint exactly why. I guess it's because the tone of the book is a bit all over the place? It's obviously not a children's book, but it's written like one, but for adults, but who exactly is the audience for this? Is this book for people who're into botany? Or is it really for people who want to brush up on colonization history? Is this book really about plants, fruits, and trees, or is it solely about the horrors of colonization? Is it trying to make light of it? Is it supposed to be satire? Is it meant to be cute? The Americana vibe from the illustrations to even the book's title suggests that this is all supposed to be addressed, but I don't think any of my questions were answered while reading. I just...didn't get exactly what this book was trying to do, but at least what it did well was give us gorgeous images that will stay with the reader for a long time. I just wish the writing was clearer and more succinct and engaging, instead of boring, distant, and stilted. And it really just would have been nice if there was more focus, something about this project feels like it was sloppily put together. It desperately needed a stronger editor to tighten its structure and to more clearly define its pitch, which felt very poor here. It's definitely a book worth knowing and reading, and what it tried to do was brave and admirable, but a lot of its shortcomings made it really hard for me to enjoy it as much as I wanted to, to where not even the illustrations can make up for.

[Nanette · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cannot figure out why this book is uniquely created for “colored children.” It seems universally offensive. I am appalled from the first page where “apple” is introduced and Kincaid writes that “A sad coda: Eve’s female descendants, her daughters, are not particularly noted in her story [meaning the Bible]. She seems to have never given birth to a woman of any note generation after generation.“ I guess Kincaid never read about Miriam, Ruth, Deborah…among the many Bible bosses. While Eve takes a bad rap from many readers, she doesn’t have to. Kincaid had the opportunity in her book to narrate differently, to show Eve’s initiative and quest for knowledge—the first woman to move and shake the world—but she didn’t. Instead, Kincaid needlessly passes on the low, rotten fruit of sexism. This book isn’t for anyone.

[Richetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital review copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This is a picture book for adult readers who are interested in Black and Diaspora history connected to plants. It combines art, history, gardening and the study of nature through its' words and illustrations. Through plants, the book explores the violent history of U.S. and European settlement on Indigenous lands and with Black people. It also makes global connections to the history of the plants. This is definitely a dynamic duo between famous author Jamaica Kincaid and famous artist Kara Walker. This is a unique book of illustrations and history that tells a story through the common plants known in our culture today.

[Marilyn]

A is for Apple (Malus domestica), a member of the rose family (Rosaceae), famously thought to be the fruit the serpent gave to Eve and Adam to eat. It had been the one thing they were forbidden to do, eat that fruit, and after they did, they fell in love with the world around them, and understandably so, for they were in a garden. The fruit they ate could not have been the apple we know today, as that fruit is native to Central Asia. Most likely what Eve and Adam ate was a pomegranate. There is a legend that says there are as many seeds in a pomegranate as there are laws in the Torah, the Bible of the Jewish people, known to many others as the Old Testament.

Apple and Adam, too
Amaranth
B is for Breadfruit
C is for Cotton
D is for Daffodil

[Sequella Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Not what I expected although I know not to have expectations of Jamaica Kincaid. This is NOT a children’s book. The concept of verbiage for each letter of the alphabet does simulate the children’s book idea. The paragraphs with each letter are mini history lessons. Very informative and should spark curiosity for further research. However, much of the prose is above the understanding and attention span of most children. Many of the biblical and historical messages would need explanation.

The artwork is beautiful but much of it is suggestive and borderline graphic or sensual. Perhaps a child might miss some of what I noticed.

Enjoyed the read!!

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning, and thought provoking!!! An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children, by Jamaica Kincaid is a beautifully written and illustrated book for children of all ages (adults can learn a lot from this book as well)! While young children learn about the alphabet, and plants. Older children will learn more about the colonisation of North America, and some of the consequences to native peoples, and those who were kidnapped and forced into slavery. This book should be in the classroom.

[Maughn Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't think of a better way to introduce young children to the concepts and history of American and European colonialism, slavery, and genocide than to trace the natural history of edible and ornamental plants--a history that is as political as it is scientific. Though, I agree with New York Times reviewer Celia McGee that Kincaid's prose here is often "wonky," repetitious, vague, and otherwise in need of "pruning."

[Jessica Chriesman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I loved this. The juxtaposition of the children's book format with the unvarnished quips on the true history and impacts of these plants is *chef's kiss*. Kara Walker's watercolors (which are a departure from the silhouettes that make her one of my favorite artists) bring whimsy to the subject matter. I learned a thing or two as well! I checked this book out from the library but I'll be purchasing a copy for myself as it's such a quick read and I enjoyed it so much.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the premise of this book- talking about plants from a sort of ethnobotanic perspective. Kincaid acknowledges the difficult relationship we have to many beautiful and necessary plants like cotton and sugar cane- juxtaposing the benefit of the plant with its history of cultivation and harvest by enslaved people.
Kara Walker's art in this book is just ok. I love a lot of her other work, but these watercolors seem hurried and rough.

[Annie Tate Cockrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book taking us alphabetically through many plants and giving a brief but informative description of each. Jamaica Kinkaid does a wonderful job giving not only a scientific description of each but places them socially and historically as well. In addition Kara Walker's illustrations are breathtaking. Excited to snag a copy of this on May 7.

[Matt Sautman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gained early access to this at Jamaica Kincaid’s St. Louis Literary Award celebration. As a children’s book, this is an interesting subversive text paired with quality art. I do wish more depth existed here, but that’s only because I am an adult reading a book that was intended to be shared with a much younger audience.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light-hearted ABC format with beautiful prose and art spliced with the blunt truths regarding colonialism and plants. Very "no holds barred." Ex:  B for breadfruit, originally Polynesian, which was a cheap food given to slaves so they'd stop wasting time growing their own food. Yikes right? Like their people, plants were also uprooted, stripped of context and relocated far from home. Invaluable.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open debate as to whether it's appropriate for children. Not because it highlights essential ugly truths in world history, but because some of the content is more sophisticated. But maybe I'm not giving kids enough credit. Watercolors by my favorite artist; not her usual medium. Lovely to linger over and soak in the heavy, but beautifully rendered history.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a bit of plant info with commentary on colonialism tucked in and beautiful illustrations. Such a weird combo that works incredibly well, which shouldn’t be a surprise coming from Jamaica Kincaid.

[Kate Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This well-made and well-written book walks us through a history of plants and people that hasn't always been kind or fair, but the story is so engaging and botanically accurate that I could not put it down.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

How are we restructuring what is taught, what we need to learn that was never mentioned before? In this book, it is the importance of placing ourselves in the natural world by learning what plants play a cultural role in our lives.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both an alphabet primer and encyclopedia, this genre-bending illustrative book from two greats (Kincaid! Walker!) is book I look forward to teaching in my college-level children's literature class. There is so much to unpack in the text and art.

[Andrea Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book!! Who knew I would learn so much interesting information from an ABC book? An added bonus is the illustrations. I wish there were more adult picture books. Overall, this is a favorite read for the entire year! It is quick, beautiful, informative and uplifting!

[Marisa Gettas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this A-Z list of the plants, trees, and flowers that define our world. Ms. Kincaid reveals the often brutal history accompanying this plant life. A decolonized ABC plant book, if I may. A must read!

[Aaron Beswick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique exploration of the often-overlooked histories behind common plants. The book presents itself as a traditional "A is for..." children's book, but Kincaid quickly reveals her true intention: to reveal the racist, colonizing, and exploitative histories associated with those common plants. With a tone often dripping with snark, some of the lessons may have gone over my head. After reading, it felt like a missive for the importance of critical thinking and historical awareness. Walker's watercolors are evocative but I was disappointed not to see her signature style of cutout silhouettes.

[Juan A. Ramirez]

epochal collab

[ASC Library]

580.2 Kin

[Jessica Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels a little slapped together but appreciate the concept and admire the writer and artist.

[shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up yo 4. Really glad this was made and published.

Library copy.