The Concrete Garden

About this book

Children spill out from the tower block after a long winter, and Amanda brings chalks. She draws a green and blue shape, then others add a pink mushroom, orange flowers, a giant snail. More and more children join in to create a beautiful picture on the concrete. And even though Luke’s dog smudges the flowers, the art of the concrete garden brings colour to everyone’s lives.

This deceptively simple picture book says a lot with very little text. There is an inclusive variety of people depicted, in a very mundane, familiar urban setting, which is uplifted by colour. The children enjoy adding to each other’s drawings, and forming one large piece of art. The whole community takes great joy from it, smudges and all. There are lively discussions to be had about creativity and teamwork and the importance of art in our lives. Hopefully, this should inspire young readers to get out their chalks or pencils too. A lovely book to share or to read aloud to a class.

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