Book Review: Our Shadow Garden

 

Recently I was sent the book Our Shadow Garden by
Cherie Foster Colburn and illustrated with art by the
children at the Children's Cancer Hospital at M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center. The author is also a landscape
designer that specializes in habitat gardens and works
with school children designing learning gardens. Most
pages include a sidebar that has information about
planning a garden, choosing plants, night insects,
nocturnal animals and the health benefits of gardens.

The story is about a young child and her grandfather
creating a shadow garden for her sick grandmother who
can no longer garden in the sunlight. This story has an
interesting theme - creating a garden that comes into its
full beauty at night time - and an inspiring theme - a
young child and her empathy for a sick grandmother. I
think children will also be intrigued by seeing the
illustrations and knowing that they were all drawn
by kids just like them.

I cupped my fingers around my mouth and cried,
"Whip-poor-will...whip-poor-will," just like Poppa.
"Whip-poor-will," the nightjar called back, and
the crickets joined in the song.


I love this page showing all the artists and some of
their work that is included in the book.

The purchase of this book, and many other wonderful
items from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Children's
Art Project, help fund patient programs such as camps,
ski trips, and scholarships.

You can also visit shadowgardenbook.com
for free lesson plans using Our Shadow Garden!