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The Garden of Peace
Nestled in the lower spurs of the Himalayas, is The Garden of Peace.
An allegory rooted in the social despair of a time not too contrary to our own. With a tyrant ruler and an unfair social class system, discover how a nation-building event in Sikh history harvested citizens of change.
An allegory rooted in the social despair of a time not too contrary to our own. With a tyrant ruler and an unfair social class system, discover how a nation-building event in Sikh history harvested citizens of change.
- GenresPicture Books
48 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2017
39 people want to read
About the author
Navjot Kaur
37 books9 followersNavjot Kaur is the founder of Saffron Press - a socially conscious, small independent press, reimagining stories to inspire little citizens of change. She is a daughter of immigrants, sister to five siblings and cisgender Mum. Navjot has been advocating for greater equity and representation of the Sikh identity in children's literature for over a decade, through her books and professional facilitation sessions with school districts and undergraduate students. Throughout her years as a classroom teacher, Navjot strived to explore curriculum through an inclusive lens. She continues that work, now as a publisher and author of four titles, with her first A Lion's Mane winning an Honor Books Award for Multicultural and International Awareness.
Navjot resides with gratitude on the traditional territory of the Mississauga of Scugog Island First Nation, (Whitby, Ontario) with a mighty leader in Equity and their gentle warrior of change.
Navjot resides with gratitude on the traditional territory of the Mississauga of Scugog Island First Nation, (Whitby, Ontario) with a mighty leader in Equity and their gentle warrior of change.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 22, 2017
Many thanks to the Kid Lit Exchange network and Saffron Press for access to a free review copy of this text. All opinions are my own!
This picture book describes “how a nation-building event in Sikh history harvested citizens of change.” The premise of the book is that upstanders have positive impacts in their community, and this universal message is so important in society today. The book is an allegory using seeds as symbols of virtues and agents of change during a time of social stratification and oppression. The watercolor illustrations are stunning and beautifully represent the story and Sikh culture and history. I like the text and the message of the book, but to enhance the experience for children, know your audience and provide support to help them understand the historical and social context.
This picture book describes “how a nation-building event in Sikh history harvested citizens of change.” The premise of the book is that upstanders have positive impacts in their community, and this universal message is so important in society today. The book is an allegory using seeds as symbols of virtues and agents of change during a time of social stratification and oppression. The watercolor illustrations are stunning and beautifully represent the story and Sikh culture and history. I like the text and the message of the book, but to enhance the experience for children, know your audience and provide support to help them understand the historical and social context.
August 11, 2017
Exquisitely designed with a complex and rich story, THE GARDEN OF PEACE is a beautiful tale of culture and agents of change.
Thanks to Saffron Press for providing me with a finished copy of this title for review purposes - all opinions are my own.
Based on events in Sikh history, this story teaches readers about human rights and the origin of traditions such as the Sikh turban in an allegorical style involving five seeds and the City of Happiness. It is a very complex story that definitely requires multiple reads and study of the author's note to truly begin to understand, but due to the sparseness of the text and gorgeous illustrations, it can still be shared with even the youngest of readers on a more superficial level. THE GARDEN OF PEACE will spark much discussion with children and students, and can be interpreted and applied to circumstances throughout our world beyond the historical basis of the story.
As a school librarian, I highly recommend this #ownvoices story for purchase in school libraries and classrooms, especially upper elementary grades and middle/high school. Picture books such as this one serve as teaching tools for all ages, and stories like this one bring cultures and religions to new audiences in an accessible format. MOM NOTE: My 11 YO well-read daughter read and absolutely loved this story and thinks her 5th grade teacher last year would have definitely read this book to her class.
And did I mention how absolutely beautiful this book is? I can't say it enough - I honestly want this book on my personal bookshelf for the sheer beauty of it. All books from this Canadian independent publisher are available on the publisher website: saffronpress.com
Thanks to Saffron Press for providing me with a finished copy of this title for review purposes - all opinions are my own.
Based on events in Sikh history, this story teaches readers about human rights and the origin of traditions such as the Sikh turban in an allegorical style involving five seeds and the City of Happiness. It is a very complex story that definitely requires multiple reads and study of the author's note to truly begin to understand, but due to the sparseness of the text and gorgeous illustrations, it can still be shared with even the youngest of readers on a more superficial level. THE GARDEN OF PEACE will spark much discussion with children and students, and can be interpreted and applied to circumstances throughout our world beyond the historical basis of the story.
As a school librarian, I highly recommend this #ownvoices story for purchase in school libraries and classrooms, especially upper elementary grades and middle/high school. Picture books such as this one serve as teaching tools for all ages, and stories like this one bring cultures and religions to new audiences in an accessible format. MOM NOTE: My 11 YO well-read daughter read and absolutely loved this story and thinks her 5th grade teacher last year would have definitely read this book to her class.
And did I mention how absolutely beautiful this book is? I can't say it enough - I honestly want this book on my personal bookshelf for the sheer beauty of it. All books from this Canadian independent publisher are available on the publisher website: saffronpress.com
November 21, 2017
A beautifully written and illustrated book for readers young and old.
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own. Filled with stunning watercolor illustrations, The Garden of Peace brings to light the agents of change that sprouted during complex events in Sikh history. The lessons shared in these 40 pages are universally important and can be applied to many circumstances throughout the world. While the story is complex, it should not be dismissed for younger readers. Through a close read and the aid of the author’s note, readers will be able to grasp the importance of this rich story.
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own. Filled with stunning watercolor illustrations, The Garden of Peace brings to light the agents of change that sprouted during complex events in Sikh history. The lessons shared in these 40 pages are universally important and can be applied to many circumstances throughout the world. While the story is complex, it should not be dismissed for younger readers. Through a close read and the aid of the author’s note, readers will be able to grasp the importance of this rich story.
December 2, 2017
Thank you to @kidlitexchange for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The Garden of Peace is a beautiful book and helps to explain some of the history of the Sikh culture. After living through the rule of a tyrant leader, and being shunned by others in society, people find out about five seeds that have been discarded. The five seeds have been planted and people go to the lower Himalayas to find what has grown from these seeds. Mother Love wanted to give the seeds a chance to grow, and five people are given the chance to plant them. They are seeds of kindness, fairness, courage, determination, and warriors of change. They grow in the City of Happiness and create a garden of peace! I loved the illustrations in the book, and the beautiful message it brings. I give it 4/5 stars. While I liked the book, I did read it to my class of 4th graders who gave it 3 stars. They found it a bit hard to follow and I had to stop several times to explain things to them. The author’s note at the end was very helpful to explain the book. I am glad I was able to expose my students to a different culture and reinforce the message that The Garden of Peace brought to the people in the Sikh culture.
February 22, 2018
Thank you, #kidlitexchange network, for the review copy of this book! Opinion is my own ❤️ #partner The Garden of Peace is a beautifully illustrated book about being a citizen of change! Loved it and would pair it with Miss Rumphius and some gardening!
October 10, 2017
The Garden of Peace is the latest picture book by independent publisher Saffron Press. With the aim to inspire little warriors of change, this new addition to the catalogue presents the birth of the Khalsa and the Sikh faith.
The primary aim of the book is to showcase what we as the human race can overcome if we choose to practice our shared values. The Garden of Peace follows an allegorical style that falls short on a number of occasions because it attempts to do too much, such as the Garden of Peace, the City of Happiness and Mother Love. These multiple allegories make for a disjointed flow leaving the reader wondering how exactly one event leads to the next. But this shortcoming exemplifies just how difficult it is to explain the birth of a religion to young readers and author Navjot Kaur should be applauded for making the attempt. Because, in doing so, she offers the core values of Sikhism — kindness, fairness, courage, determination and warrior of change — to all readers regardless of age or ethnicity. She allows children to see themselves as free thinkers, melody makers, poets, dream chasers and storytellers. Roles that give them the opportunity to make the world better for all its citizens.
Illustrator Nana Sakata has done a phenomenal job on every aspect of the artwork. The watercolour illustrations bring a softness to the story which, at times, is rather bleak. And the colours, though vibrant, are never overpowering. Sakata exquisitely brings to life the most vital themes of the story, specifically when depicting the five seeds.
Though The Garden of Peace is a highly complex story for the traditional target audience, it shouldn’t be dismissed because within it’s pages is a richness that can be unpacked with the aid of the author’s note over several deeper readings.
Recommended.
The primary aim of the book is to showcase what we as the human race can overcome if we choose to practice our shared values. The Garden of Peace follows an allegorical style that falls short on a number of occasions because it attempts to do too much, such as the Garden of Peace, the City of Happiness and Mother Love. These multiple allegories make for a disjointed flow leaving the reader wondering how exactly one event leads to the next. But this shortcoming exemplifies just how difficult it is to explain the birth of a religion to young readers and author Navjot Kaur should be applauded for making the attempt. Because, in doing so, she offers the core values of Sikhism — kindness, fairness, courage, determination and warrior of change — to all readers regardless of age or ethnicity. She allows children to see themselves as free thinkers, melody makers, poets, dream chasers and storytellers. Roles that give them the opportunity to make the world better for all its citizens.
Illustrator Nana Sakata has done a phenomenal job on every aspect of the artwork. The watercolour illustrations bring a softness to the story which, at times, is rather bleak. And the colours, though vibrant, are never overpowering. Sakata exquisitely brings to life the most vital themes of the story, specifically when depicting the five seeds.
Though The Garden of Peace is a highly complex story for the traditional target audience, it shouldn’t be dismissed because within it’s pages is a richness that can be unpacked with the aid of the author’s note over several deeper readings.
Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews