In My Garden

by Charlotte Zolotow, Philip C. Stead (Illustrator)

Welcome the outdoors inside for story time with this classic tale of a garden changing through the seasons.

A young girl and her older companion watch birds, fly a kite, plant flowers, and play in the snow, watching flowers bloom and leaves fall as the year passes.

This quiet story celebrates the simple joys found close to home, and the importance of sharing those experiences with the ones you love. A perfect story time pick for any season, In My Garden explores the natural marvels of the world around us and encourages young readers to think about what they love best throughout the year.

Written by picture book master Charlotte Zolotow and originally published in 1960, this elegant reimagining of In My Garden features all-new illustrations by accomplished author-illustrator Philip Stead. His delicate illustrations and gentle, colorful palette bring new life and meaning to this classic tale-- a beautiful tribute to the experience of childhood, and a thank you to a master storyteller.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Childrens, Gardening, Fiction, Poetry, Summer

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Charlotte Zolotow was a distinguished American writer, editor, and publisher who made a lasting mark on children's literature. Over her career, she authored around 70 picture book texts and edited works by prominent writers including Paul Zindel, Robert Lipsyte, and Francesca Lia Block. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, she studied writing at the University of Wisconsin Madison and later joined Harper & Bros in New York, where she worked her way up from secretary to publisher. Her own books were published by over 20 houses, and she became known for her poetic and emotionally insightful texts. Zolotow’s most celebrated works include When the Wind Stops, William’s Doll, and River Winding. Her story "Enemies" was featured in The Big Book for Peace alongside other notable authors. She lived for many years in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Her legacy endures not only through her own writing but also through the Charlotte Zolotow Award, established in 1998 to honor outstanding picture book texts. Her contributions helped shape modern children's literature with sensitivity, elegance, and enduring relevance.

Reviews

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eine kurze und ruhige Geschichte über einen Garten, der sich im Laufe der Jahreszeiten verändert.
Frühling, Sommer, Herbst und Winter. Jede Jahreszeit hat ihre schönen Seiten.
Ich habe das Hörbuch gehört, daher kann ich zu den Illustrationen nichts sagen.
Die Geschichte an sich ist aber wirklich schön und zeigt Kindern wie auch Erwachsenen, dass man jede Jahreszeit genießen kann.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The text of this book has been around since 1960, so I may have read the original as a kid (I honestly don't remember; it didn't ring any bells, but I know we read quite a few Charlotte Zolotow books). This version, published in 2020, features new illustrations by Philip Stead.

It's a lovely, gentle picture book about the passage of a year. A young girl states what she likes best about each of the seasons, and also what she likes doing in each season. The illustrations are rough, yet somehow work with the simplicity of the story.

I'd recommend this one to fans of Zolotow, as well as to those looking for picture books about seasons.

Quotable moment:

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this marketed as if it's a new book, knew it couldn't be. The author did have a very long career, but what's new is the art. I, of course, want to read both editions.
---
I have now enjoyed the newer edition.
It is *more* relevant and worthy of recommending now than when it was new.

Back in 1960 more children were much more familiar with the out-of-doors and the poetic litany expressed here was a comforting reference to their own lives. Now, too many children spend almost no time looking out the window, much less exploring out there, even less on their own. (Sledding is a family affair at resorts, not a kid's gathering at the town's hill.)

This book gently reminds us of all the things we can see and do that aren't on our screens. Don't say you're bored - go outside and watch the butterflies, have lunch under the tree, skip rope, tend your garden. (If you do say you're bored, I will find a chore for you!)

And, of course, I am thrilled that Charlotte Zolotow is being brought to the attention of today's families. She did a lot of wonderful work.

Stead's illustrations are perfect. I don't think I'll bother to try to find the original after all.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/6/2024 - Captures the nostalgic feelings that come with each season. Beautiful illustrations.

10/31/2024 - Read again.

[Lisa Mcbroom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a reissue of the 1961 edition and why in the name of everything holy did they not use the illustrations from that edition? I know art is in the eye of the beholder but don't let the hideous illustrations stop you from reading the beautiful prose such as the spicy smell of chrysantheums. A young girl tends her garden all four seasons and reminisces what she likes to do in the four seasons. It harkened back to my childhood enjoying time outdoors.

[Jennifer Reynoso · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork was wonderful. The storyline was cute though seemed to end abruptly.

[Susan Siow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book about "my favourite things" at every season.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explore the seasons in a personal and close up way with master storyteller Zolotow. Originally published in 1960, the story has been updated with new illustrations from award-winner Stead. Each season starts with one thing that the narrator loves best about their garden during that time. But then they also include a bunch of other lovely things about their garden that season. In spring, the favorite is birds building nests. In summer it is roses. In fall it is chrysanthemums. In winter it is snow. But there is so much else to love too, mostly centered around a lovely pear tree in the garden too.

Zolotow’s writing is lovely, exploring the seasons in a round-about way through gardening and time spent outside. The book meanders with a sense of curiosity about what might also be lovely about the garden in each season. The exploratory nature of the text invites conversations with children about their own loves in each season.

Stead’s illustrations are dreamy and lovely. The colors are bright but also flow together creating a world to experience, remember and adore. His process creates an organic feel with fine lines that offer details but are also filled with blurs of color and cloud shapes.

A lovely new edition of a beauty of a book. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Philip Stead creates new illustrations for the 1960 Charlotte Zolotow book that honor the original and pay tribute to Zolotow by beautifully extending her work in a new way. I was utterly charmed and moved by this new version. Stead's oil and ink are exquisitely done, showing a young girl in overalls guiding readers through the joys of the changing seasons in her garden and her world. Each scene if full of details to linger over and there is as much being told by the art as by the text.

This is a quiet and reflective book that carries such a feeling of warmth and reassurance. An older woman, a grandmother perhaps, appears in some of the scenes and a small black cat, perhaps a tribute to Roger Duvoisin's original illustrations, trails the girl through the delights of the garden and outdoor play.

Zolotow's text has proved to be timeless and Stead's masterful drawings bring them joyfully to a new generation of readers. Not to be missed!

[Margaret]

Although in northern Michigan at the moment snow is swirling in high winds, for months collective minds here and in other parts of the world have been turning to gardening. Seeds and soil have been gathered. On warmer days, walks have revealed shoots from bulbs pushing through the dirt and perennials are starting to turn green as buds get larger. In My Garden (Neal Porter Books, Holiday House, March 24, 2020) written by the late Charlotte Zolotow (1915-2013) with illustrations by Philip Stead is a journey through the seasons. It is a shared trip through time and the offerings Nature bestows on all of us if we choose to notice.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fortunately for all of us, Philip Stead has brought Charlotte Zolotow's "In My Garden" (1960) back for everyone who has cherished their gardens and nature during this Pandemic year, now stretching into winter. As we read this young girl's favorites from her garden (and from her life) during each season, I imagine each one of us can add our own, from last spring, into summer's joys, to autumn's fabulous days. A black cat follows along with the girl as she shares her favorites of the seasons. Stead's illustrations feel comfortable in their muted tones and his lovely dedication is perfect where he shares that he's collected children's picture books since he was nineteen, Zolotow's among the favorites found.

[Cindy Dobrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read many Zolotow books, both as a child, and as a youth librarian, but I don't remember the original version illustrated by Roger Duvoisin. . I'm eager to track down a copy, but Philip Stead's new illustrations pay tribute to a lovely text. The details that he weaves into each changing season are a delight to explore and I'm thrilled that new generations of children will continue to experience Charlotte's stories. I'll forever be indebted to her for encouraging Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Zindel to write books for teens.

[Maria Rowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful, gentle prose. I just felt that the text and the artwork did not work well together. Many of the illustrations don’t really support the text and there is a lot of disharmony. For instance, one page reads, “But in the summer what I love most to do is to have lunch under the pear tree”. There’s a drawing of a lunch and a tree but no pears on the tree. Another page reads “But in the winter what I love best in my garden is the snow, clean and white and still.” The illustration is of snow made from black and blue smudgy lines and doesn’t look clean or white or still. This just didn’t work for one.

Materials used: “oil-ink monotype techniques and carbon transfer printing”

Typeface used: unlisted

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

In My Garden was first published in 1960. This is a new edition with completely new illustrations. Here's a little sample:

"In the summer what I love most to do is have
lunch under the pear tree.
Of course there are other things I love in
the summer---listening to the birds singing
in the trees, lying in the tall grass, watching
the butterflies, and swimming in the cool stream.
But in the summer what I love most to do
is to have lunch under the pear tree."

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The original text for this gentle, inviting text is more about sixty years old, but the updated illustration captures both the timelessness of Zolotow's writing and the nature-infused rhythms of a child's experiences and joys over the fcourse of four seasons. The patterned text engages with repletion that supports young children chiming in, predicting, and responding as if to a beloved melody.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice trip through the seasons with a little girl observing one thing she loves in her garden and adding a few more but then again emphasizing that one thing she loves. The pictures have a diffuse quality that is interesting and relaxing. This book concentrates on what happens in each season and is good for children just learning about what the journey through a year is like. A very pleasant and calming read.

[Carmen Furillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for students. They can kind of put themselves in the book and think about something they enjoy like how the character in the book really enjoys her garden. This book is great for students to try to connect to and also be great to build their reading skills. I would recommend this book to teachers.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated by Philip Stead!

What a wonderful writing prompt...

In the Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter what I love best in my garden....
Of course there are other things I love....
But in the spring what I love best ...[repeat] with descriptions

A delight of a book to read and reread, and look and relook.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Journey through the four seasons in this young girl's garden.

A good story for seasonal or gardening exploration. This has slightly lengthier text for me to use for storytime.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

This classic book is lovely. It goes through each of the seasons and things you can do during the seasons.

Teachers could easily turn this into a writing activity with children completing the concept on his/her own with what they like best, and like to do for each season.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this sweet book. The girl shares things she likes in her garden throughout the seasons. Share this book with a child and then write your own books about what YOU like to do in your garden!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text and illustrations in this edition don't always match, and even though this is a nice seasons book, there isn't any story. This is the kind of book that usually appeals to adults much more than children.

[Audrey Pollard · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my garden, shows a girl who loves all things about her garden in every season, the spring all the fresh flowers growing, the summer all the products she gets to pick, the fall the leaves that cover all the seeds, and the winter where the snow covers it up like a big blanket.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations yay story only ok

[Jared White · Rating 2 out of 5]

I often love Philip Steads' illustrations but I was not really a fan of these.

[Brandon Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Lisa D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! Cute book!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story of a garden going through the four seasons, as told from two different perspectives; one from an older female, and the other, a young girl.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A preschool and up book about the nature loving activities of one girl during all the seasons.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wistful celebration of a garden's seasonal changes over the year, with a classic, old-timey feel.