Review by Booklist Review
This book, about how a garden grows, continues Matheson's tradition of interactive picture books, begun in Tap the Magic Tree (2013). Each page describes simple actions, some more active than others (There's magic in this tiny seed. Press it down and count to three.). The referring presence of a watering-can spout reminds us when human effort is required to help a garden grow; it disappears from the page when nature is the only agent (the cold, the sun, the rain). The simple text moves across both pages as the seeds grow into beautiful flowers, though the rhyme scheme is more successful with some phrases than others. Careful viewers will follow the progress of a ladybug as it travels across each page and onto a flower, even while they're told to watch for a worm. The illustrations become more plentiful and colorful as the flowers grow, mirroring the naturally occurring miracles of real gardens. Pair with Kate Messner's Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt (2015).--Ching, Edie Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Matheson brings her interactive approach to Tap the Magic Tree and Touch the Brightest Star to a garden setting, giving readers a chance to take part in the process. First, children can "press" seeds into the ground, after which Matheson instructs, "Wiggle your fingers to add some water. That's enough. Next, rub the sun to make it hotter." Up come three green sprouts. Matheson sets the action against broad, white backdrops with just a hint of soil at the bottom edge, creating maximum contrasts as three flowers grow and blossom. Fans of Matheson's previous titles and other books-as-apps should enjoy this loose introduction to how plants grow. Ages 4-8. Agent: Stacey Glick, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Matheson's latest interactive picture book follows zinnias from seed to flower. The author asks listeners to press, count, clap, and tap to summon sun and rain, which help the seedlings grow. Small garden animals, including a worm, bees, a snail, and hummingbirds, appear as the three flowers bud and bloom. Observant viewers can spot a ladybug on each spread. White backgrounds and minimal text make this a strong option for sharing with groups as well as with individuals, although some patches of uneven rhythm and rhyme might cause read-aloud stumbles without practice. Instructions for growing zinnias will encourage additional reader participation. VERDICT Sure to engage listeners by calling for their active responses, this is a top choice for collections serving the youngest readers and nature lovers.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
This companion to Matheson's two previous titles featuring interactivity (Tap the Magic Tree, 2013; Touch the Brightest Star, 2015) encourages listeners to tap, press, and swipe their way through gardening. In addition to exerting agency over the planting and nurturing of seeds, children are invited to count and look for a ladybug. The directions (which are very similar to previous books) are presented in uninspired rhymes: "Wiggle your fingers / to add some water. // That's enough. / Next, rub the sun to make it hotter." The narrative unfolds on white pages with a low horizon line created where the soil ends; this brown border fills half an inch or so at the bottom of each page. The red insect, small seeds, and a pale-blue watering spout are gradually added, and isolated natural elements make brief cameos. Presumably the low-key design is meant to contrast with the concluding collage depicting three zinnias, several bees and butterflies, and a hummingbird, but viewers will likely get restless without more-exciting results rewarding their efforts along the way. Whereas pages of different colors and a tree that filled each composition, changing with the seasons, provided visual interest in Tap the Magic Tree, these scenes feel empty for too long. Preschoolers need to learn how plants grow. This supplies the basics, but novelty (an arguably waning term for app imitators on paper) is not a substitute for compelling art. (notes) (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
