In Enzo's Splendid Gardens

by Patricia Polacco

This is the bee that stopped on a tree in Enzo's splendid gardens. . . .

And that's how this rollicking adventure from Patricia Polacco begins. A boy drops his book when he takes a good look at that very bee. Then a waiter, who'd just turned around, trips on the book and tips his tray--otherwise he'd have had a good day!

Before you know it, the ladies have spilled their tea; chef Enzo has toppled the spaghetti, chasing his cat, whose name is Lettie. Dishes are hitting the floor; patrons are dashing out the door. Oh, if it weren't for that mischievous bee, there in Enzo's splendid garden!

In this amusing romp, author-artist Patricia Polacco introduces us to her husband, Enzo, who cooks the best spaghetti in Oakland, California (at least when he's not chasing the cat). A whimsical cumulative tale that is a treat to read aloud.

Follow the trail of mishaps that happen--all because of a silly old bee!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Poetry, Cooking

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 14, 1997

About the author

Patricia Polacco is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator with around seventy beloved and award-winning books to her credit, including The Keeping Quilt, Pink and Say, The Blessing Cup, Chicken Sunday, and Thank You, Mr. Falker. She resides in Michigan.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book that offers up
a fun-filled retelling of "This is the House that Jack Built"
when a boy's dropped book
leads to a hilarious romp
worthy of a old-time movie.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My very favorite part is the statue that continually changes position. This is a splendid cumulative rhyming tale of what happens (a lot!) when a boy sees a bee and drops his book about bees: mayhem ensues. It’s particularly creatively done because each telling varies a little and so it never gets boring.

On the inside front cover it says that the author/illustrator introduces the reader to her husband Enzo, who’s a chef, and makes the best spaghetti in Oakland, California, which I know from reading Polacco’s other books is where they used to live. (She now lives in Michigan.) That note is the only mention of who Enzo is though. Otherwise, he appears as a chef carrying a pot of spaghetti out to what looks to be an outdoor café and then gets caught up in the action.

This is a fun story with engaging illustrations. It’s not perfect because, even though there are some stupendous rhyming words that make up the narrative, at times I found it hard to read aloud. It seemed a little clumsy, not the somewhat sophisticated writing, but the reading.

However, I’m on a Patricia Polacco read-a-thon and this is the 45th (of 51 already published books) I’ve read, and it’s by far the most pure fun I’ve had reading one of her outstanding books. I think it’s amazing enough for a book of its type and I had a blast reading it and looking at the illustrations, so 5 stars it is!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a roving bumblebee settles on a tree in Enzo's lovely outdoor Italian restaurant, a series of slapstick mishaps occur - a boy drops his book, in order to look at the bee; a waiter trips over the boy's book, and spills his drink on a matron in pink; the matron starts up, and bumps into two other ladies - until the entire place is in shambles, the cook's cat has retreated (covered in spaghetti) to a nearby tree, and the fire department has been called out. It's chaos! And the rollicking repetitive narrative captures every humorous moment...

Having now encountered Patricia Polacco's mother, brother, daughter, grandparents, and other extended family - not to mention Polacco herself, at various ages - through the medium of her many autobiographical picture-books, it seems only appropriate that I have now "met" her husband Enzo! I'm trying to imagine the conjugal conversation that might have prompted this one: "You know, Honey, you've written a picture-book about practically everyone in the family, save yours truly..." Whatever the case may be, I enjoyed In Enzo's Splendid Gardens, and think children who appreciate cumulative tales will find it very entertaining. I like the fact that the cumulative refrain varied a bit - usually, in such stories, it is static - and that the artwork was even more over the top than is usual, in Polacco.

I don't know, despite its virtues, that this will ever be a favorite - I tend to think that Polacco does tear-jerkers better than comedies, although that could just be a personal preference - but this is still a solid contribution to a valuable body of work.

[Luann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't what I've come to expect from Patricia Polacco! Not only is the text in rhyme, it's a cumulative story. It starts in a garden court at a restaurant called Enzo's with a boy who dropped his book as he turned around to look at a bee, which causes a waiter to trip and spill a drink, and then all sorts of fun and wacky accidents happen as a result. Of course Patricia Polacco's illustrations are great, but these have an added measure of wackiness that pair perfectly with the text. Even the statue at the fountain follows the action. Very fun!

I didn't realize Enzo was Patricia Polacco's husband until I read the book information after reading the story. And then I noticed that the book is dedicated "To Enzo mio and his dream."

This is a very well-done cumulative story and a fun change of pace for Patricia Polacco - even though I've never felt like Patricia Polacco needs a change of pace!

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a humorous, slightly awkwardly rhyming cumulative story that really surprised me. It is very different from Patricia Polacco's other books, but still quite entertaining and witty. We loved the hilarious illustrations, the fun word play and the rhythmic tone of the tale. Overall, it's a very fun book to read aloud and we really enjoyed reading it together. Now, off to find more of her stories we haven't yet read...

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Polacco uses humor, rhyme, and over-the-top illustrations to tell a cumulative story about a boy, a book, a bee, and a bunch of mishaps that take place in Enzo's splendid gardens.

This is a great candidate for a read aloud, however, the text might be too daunting for little ones. The illustrations are the star of the book, especially the statue in the fountain.

*An afterthought: While, I enjoyed the humor of the story, the illustrations are descriptive enough to tell the story without words.

[Bobbi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book really caught me off guard! It's a story in the form of "this is the house that Jack built." I sat down tonight, snuggled up with my 6 year old, opened a Patricia Polacco book we picked up recently at the library, expecting an amazing story that had something to do with a garden. Nope. It's probably a much better book than the rating I gave it, but both my daughter and I were so disappointed. We might have had too high of expectations. I completely blame Patricia Polacco...it is her fault for writing so many other excellent books that we love!

[Hannah Holthaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Every page in this book added on to each other and it would be very easy to read to students just to calm them down after recess or just as a story to read throughout the day. The word choice was not something that you see every day but once you figured out the pattern, it was very easy to read and you wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next. I have read a few of Patricia Polacco's books and they have all been very good!

[Tony Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminiscent of Verna Aardema's book, "Bringing The Rain To Kapiti Plain," "In Enzo's Splendid Gardens" is a cumulative rhyme with repetition building the story. The rhyming and building of the story through repetition makes this story about Enzo (Patricia's husband) fun to read...and even more fun to read out loud!

[Caroline Herfindahl]

Chaos ensues at Enzo’s restaurant garden due to a bee, a dropped book and later, a cat. This is in excellent cumulative tale for older elementary kids with new and interesting vocab and lots of humor.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5- one of those build up stories where they keep adding/repeating phrases. This one’s phrases are slightly different each time, and the illustrations are fantastic! (My favorites: the statue and the little girl)

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny cumulative story in fun rhyme. In Enzo's Splendid Gardens cafe', a boy dropped his book when he saw a bee. That was the beginning of a series of humorous calamities.
Great illustrations. Be sure to observe the title of the boy's book.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun Rube Goldberg type book that starts with a bee. Another way to look at it is a little old lady who swallowed a fly. Love the curiosity of the little boy about bees and the understanding of the adults about what happens.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patricia Polacco's version of the cumulative nursery rhyme "The House That Jack Built," using her husband Enzo's restaurant. It starts with a bee that causes a boy to drop his book, setting off a chain of events. A funny tale accompanied by beautiful illustrations in Polacco's signature style.

[Ann Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tea reference for "National Hot Tea Month" reading.

[Rachel Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An utterly bewitching romp in the time-honored tradition of "This Is the House That Jack Built".

[Kaila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first time I wasn't completely enamored by a Polacco book.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

What fun!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard not to read this one fast- there's such a beat to it. Along the lines of 'there was an old lady who swallowed a fly', but better!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute cumulative tale! Order stays the same but the description varies! My 3year old friend enjoyed the story and the illustrations!

[Kyra Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the style of the old woman who swallowed a fly! A fun Poloco book!

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun read-aloud and the first rhyming Polacco book I've encountered. The illustrations are fantastic and there's a fun twist in the mystery of who/what caused all the commotion.

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

All because of a little bee landed on a tree in the garden

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enzo’s Splendid Gardens is quite a humorous book but one that uses wonderful descriptive details to make you feel as though you are sitting at the table in Enzo’s Garden. The little boy in the story is reading his book when he suddenly turns around and drops his book to stare at a bee that has landed on a tree. After the boy drops his book, the series of events that follow are quite chaotic yet pretty funny. The waiter drops a tray as he trips over the book, then two women spill their drinks and the story unfolds from there with more chaos and a series of rhyming words in each line. Patricia Polacco even weaves her husband into the poem. He is the owner of the restaurant and is wearing spaghetti because of the chef who spilled the pot. He makes an appearance while trying to wrangle his cat that is running away.

Unique in form, this book definitely is great for younger and upper elementary grades.. I think many students will find the story amusing and enjoyable. I don't want to spoil the ending, but I loved how it ended because even after the mess of events, Patricia polacco sent the message that it’s okay to laugh at yourself after you’ve done something silly and it is also very good to tell the truth even when you’re scared that everyone will be angry with you.

This text would be a wonderful addition to a poetry text set and will likely inspire readers of all ages to try using poetry to tell a story. This book could be used to launch Writing Workshop in the classroom as a way to show students what writers do, especially poets when they incorporate rhyming words into different lines and use a pattern to tell a story.

Patricia Polacco has written many wonderful books for students in the elementary grades and this is the first one that I have read so far and I am interested to read more. I really enjoyed the humor that was used because when I think of poetry, I think more of sorrow and love being common themes but this was definitely humorous and silly.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although there are elements that make this cumulative tale rather hard to read or tell aloud, it still provides plenty of entertainment. Of course,that isn't surprising since the storyteller is Patricia Polacco who seems to find inspiration for stories in the most mundane moments. In the case of this one, what starts at a meal being enjoyed alfresco by a boy and his father turns into quite a mess and ends up in a lot of diners and waiters being covered in food. A cat even gets involved in all the fun--maybe not for the cat. What caused all this ruckus was the boy's simple interest in a bee and the fact that he drops a book on bees that causes a waiter to trip. Readers are treated to a glimpse of Polacco's husband whose restaurant is the setting for this outrageous romp and a few scenes that seem to feature Polacco herself with her trademark hairdo as she wanders in and out of scenes, tasting the food that has landed on patrons. While this isn't my favorite among this author's works, I'm still glad I read it since it made me smile and reminded me about one thing leads to another with often hilarious results.

[Tayler Bingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polacco, Patricia. In Enzo's Splendid Gardens. Philomel Books, 1997. Print. My Choice Picture Book. This book explores the comical consequential events that happen as a result of one small little insect flying into "Enzo's garden." The quiet garden turns chaotic through these mass of events. The book's text builds off of the events of the previous pages, an idea brilliant in and of itself. However, the brilliancy really seems to stop there as the illustrations in the text add little to no significant meaning to the text itself. The illustrations merely focus on a visual picture we most assuredly would have already thought of. I would use this book to help teach young learners the principle that even by "small and simple things are great things brought to pass." I would use it to teach each child the unintended consequences of their actions.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wonder how much of this messy tale actually did happen at the author's husband's restaurant? The cat appears to be part of the family too.

An enjoyable repetitive read, because of the mayhem, the 'lively' cheeky fountain statue and especially because the words are not exactly repeated.

I know that my kids have always enjoyed the repetition because they could participate in the reading; even though they couldn't read.

The confused waiter has "a very bad day", "a horrible day", "an awful day", "a dreadful day", "a nasty ol' day", and "a ghastly ol' day" before he can explain away his clumsiness.

Bit like going for the same movies over and over - they enjoy being part of it, by knowing what's coming next.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the books I've read thus far, I've learned of Polacco's beloved grandmother, her divorced mother who became a teacher, her rotten red headed brother Ralph, the teachers who influenced her, her uncle, her inventive, color-blind father, and the children whom she bonded with as a child.

In this book, we meet her husband Enzo. This is a celebration of Enzo and his Italian restaurant and his garden.

A play on words, this is a comedic rhythm of what occurs in Enzo's garden when a small boy dining at the restaurant mistakenly drops a book to see a bee hovering nearby.

Setting in motion one mishap after another, as people trip and fall landing on each other, spaghetti flies everywhere but on the plates.

While, not one of my favorites, it is worth the time and energy spent to read.

[Kelly Wiegand]

Kelly Wiegand
February 2, 2015
EDL54500 Library Materials for Children and Youth

Title: In Enzo's Splendid Gardens

Author: Patricia Polacco

Plot: This picture book follows a series of hilariously unlikely events that occur as a result of a boy who simply drops his book after becoming fixated with a bee in the garden..

Setting: Restaurant/ Enzo's Splendid Gardens

Characters: restaurant patrons

Point-of-View: third-person

Themes: actions have consequences

Style: Rhymes that build page by page

Copyright: 1997

Reflection: In Enzo's Splendid Gardens is a silly book that all will love! It rhymes which encourages students to read along with your and catch onto the patterns. It could even be turned into a creative writing project!

[Maggie Mattmiller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not one of my favorite Polacco books, but it is still a good book! It has a fun flow for kids, but the words change slightly so while the repetitive is fun for them, the changes are exciting to catch too! The pictures (as with all of her books) are beautiful and funny! The first time I read it I was caught up in the flow, but as soon as I was done I had to go back through and look more carefully at the pictures. I can see children wanting to read it again and again, and laughing the entire time. I also love that everything happens because of a book :)