The Dog's Gardener

March 15, 2021
A dog muses about a peaceful day in the garden with a favorite human. Narrated from the point of view of the dog, this gentle story has peace and soothing ambiance on its side. What it does not have, however, is a riveting storyline. Dutch, the dog, pretends to be asleep as the titular gardener, a young woman (illustrated with pale skin and red hair), goes down to her breakfast. When she calls the dog (this is why Dutch pretends to be asleep, the dog tells readers, to hear her "gentle voice" calling), they go outside together. There, the young woman begins to work in her garden while Dutch observes. The young woman digs garden beds (the dog approves), they rest, Dutch plays with the water hose, they go home at twilight. Where the narrative lacks pizzazz, however, the illustrations are another story. Luscious, rich depth of color and effective visual design combine with a delicate play of light and shadow to create a serene, calming atmosphere all on its own, without any words. Light-filled indoor and outdoor scenes of the sunniest complementary colors are joyous in their combinations of patterns. The illustrations prioritize the dog's viewpoint; a few show the dog prominently while the woman's torso, but not head, is shown--a clever tactic to keep the illustrative focus on the doggy perspective. (This book was reviewed digitally with 8.3-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 40% of actual size.) Not much happens, but it's gorgeous to look at. (Picture book. 3-10)

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May 1, 2021
Preschool-Grade 1 Green grass, fresh dirt, a spray of water; sunlight, a soft voice, and a gentle hand. Here Dutch, a well-loved dog, shares his impressions of the day's activities. Dutch's owner, a fair-skinned, red-headed young woman, spends her day flower gardening with him by her side. After the woman's breakfast, Dutch is glad that it's time to go outside. As the woman gathers her equipment, the dog distances himself from the dark, dusty shed. He is happier when they get to the field, ready to amuse himself as the woman works. Dutch is attuned to the woman's rhythm, pausing when she rests, following her as she digs and plants. Hand-painted gouache textures capture a sun-saturated setting. Shifting perspectives add visual interest, from the sweeping aerial view of the house and the path the friends travel to the close-ups that put the characters in line with the flowers. As the sun fades, the dog and woman finish up and head back home together, bringing the soothing narrative to a warm, quiet close.

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