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A Child's Garden: A Story of Hope
Master storyteller Michael Foreman has created a timely and moving story of a child creating a garden of hope in the midst of poverty and war. Master storyteller Michael Foreman has created a timely and moving story of a child creating a garden of hope in the midst of poverty and war. A boy’s world is ruin and rubble, with a wire fence and soldiers separating him from the cool hills where his father used to take him as a small child. Can a tiny, green plant shoot give him hope in a bleak landscape?
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
3 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Michael Foreman
348 books42 followersMichael has worked on magazines, book jackets, animated films, TV adverts, and even for the police, sketching criminals described by witnesses. As well as illustrating many of his own books, Michael has illustrated over a hundred books for authors such as Shakespeare, J. M. Barrie, the Brothers Grimm, Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde. Michael has travelled widely - to Africa, Japan, the Arctic Circle, China and Malaysia, the Himalayas, Siberia and New Zealand - to research his books. "I do a lot of research when I'm travelling - I find it thrilling to discover the particular 'art' of different landscapes and work them into a book. But I find I have to travel by myself, otherwise I'm constantly getting involved in other people's impressions of a place... I try to be invisible when I'm travelling, so I tend to listen in on conversations rather than participate in them - I just want to look and draw."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
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May 9, 2012This is such a lovely book! It's a story based in a ruined village, torn apart by war, where a small boy finds a tiny green shoot amongst all the rubble of the broken homes. The story shows the little boy protecting the shoot, giving it water and tending to it in secret, until it grows too big to contain. As the vines grow they cover the barbed wire fence which seperates the boy's village from the rest of the country and children begin to come and play together. The soldiers then come and cut down the vines, the winter comes and it seems that all hope is lost. However, soon there are more shoots and the same thing happens all over again.It is a wonderfully written book, with very child friendly language, and with feelings of the little boy that children can relate to, despite being based in a different context to what a lot of children will have experienced.
The illustrations are lovely- they start of just in grey scale and then as the shoot grows more colour is introduced until the whole page is full of colour and life. It is a great story of hope and perserverance, and children will really be able to feel that as they read through it. Great pictures, with easy to read text, good for lower KS1.
The illustrations are lovely- they start of just in grey scale and then as the shoot grows more colour is introduced until the whole page is full of colour and life. It is a great story of hope and perserverance, and children will really be able to feel that as they read through it. Great pictures, with easy to read text, good for lower KS1.
July 3, 2020
A Child’s Garden is a story of hope in the face of adversity. The story’s protagonist lives in a war-torn world, where his home has been destroyed. However, one day he finds a tiny speck of green in the rubble, which he manages to grow into a beautiful vine. Although the soldiers return to destroy the landscape, the vine begins to grow again from another small seed, bringing beauty in the midst of chaos and war.
This is a beautiful story that portrays the strength and hope that humanity can have, even when going through difficult times. The story is suitable for ages 5-7, and it explores themes of human resilience, hope, nature and war. The book’s stunning illustrations make it perfect for Year 1 and 2, as they further highlight the optimism and hope that the book portrays. As the story progresses and the vine grows, the images become more colourful, mirroring the emergence of hope that grows like the seed.
This is a beautiful story that portrays the strength and hope that humanity can have, even when going through difficult times. The story is suitable for ages 5-7, and it explores themes of human resilience, hope, nature and war. The book’s stunning illustrations make it perfect for Year 1 and 2, as they further highlight the optimism and hope that the book portrays. As the story progresses and the vine grows, the images become more colourful, mirroring the emergence of hope that grows like the seed.
March 9, 2010
A beautiful story about a little boy living amidst the rubble and ruin of a war torn country. The green hills and streams where the boy used to play, are now on the other side of a barbed wire fence and the boy can no longer get to them.
One day, the boy notices a bit of green poking through the rocks. It's a tiny plant and the boy begins to water it and take care of it, hoping it will grow. In the boys care, the plant turns into a vine that begins to grow and grow until it's covering the wire fence and no longer a secret. Other children come to see it and play near it, until the area becomes a sort of refuge and playground for them.
Soldiers from the other side of the fence notice the vine and rip it down. Winter comes and goes and then it's spring once more. This time, on the other side of the fence, a little girl notices a tiny green shoot and begins to water and take care of it. It begins to grow and grow. The little boy searches the area where his vine used to grow and also notices little green shoots. The vine has come back! Eventually, the shoots from both sides of the fence, meet and begin to entwine with one another and once again, the vine blossoms and grows until it's covering the wire fence.
Let the soldiers return, thought the boy.
Roots are deep, and seeds spread.
I really loved this. The illustrations are very well done and they're all in muted tones of grey, brown and white with the exception of the tiny green shoot, and then the vine and then the birds and butterflies etc, until eventually everything blooms with colour. It's a gorgeous transition, from darkness to light, which works beautifully with the story.
A sad story with a message of hope! <3
One day, the boy notices a bit of green poking through the rocks. It's a tiny plant and the boy begins to water it and take care of it, hoping it will grow. In the boys care, the plant turns into a vine that begins to grow and grow until it's covering the wire fence and no longer a secret. Other children come to see it and play near it, until the area becomes a sort of refuge and playground for them.
Soldiers from the other side of the fence notice the vine and rip it down. Winter comes and goes and then it's spring once more. This time, on the other side of the fence, a little girl notices a tiny green shoot and begins to water and take care of it. It begins to grow and grow. The little boy searches the area where his vine used to grow and also notices little green shoots. The vine has come back! Eventually, the shoots from both sides of the fence, meet and begin to entwine with one another and once again, the vine blossoms and grows until it's covering the wire fence.
Let the soldiers return, thought the boy.
Roots are deep, and seeds spread.
I really loved this. The illustrations are very well done and they're all in muted tones of grey, brown and white with the exception of the tiny green shoot, and then the vine and then the birds and butterflies etc, until eventually everything blooms with colour. It's a gorgeous transition, from darkness to light, which works beautifully with the story.
A sad story with a message of hope! <3
April 12, 2016
Set in a world full of war, this book shares similarities to Michael Morpurgo’s, The Kites are flying. This story is set amongst a war torn village that has been destroyed and an ugly barbed wire fence has been erected isolating a community. The mood and atmosphere of the story has been reflected through the dull, miserable and grey illustrations which does not change with the seasons. A powerful element in the story is the personification of hope through the plant the boy is trying so hard to grow. While caring for the plant he is reliving his happy memories and thinking of life before the horrid barbed wire fence. Everything over the barbed wire is green and colourful, changing the tone of the story, showing the little boys aspiration of living on that side. The aspiration is cut short and the story reverts back to grey and dull skies. Until one day he sees the plants growing, hiding the unsightly barbed wire and with this the colour appeared flooding into the dismal illustrations, representing that the boy had achieved what he hoped for.
I think the illustrations and the story is powerful. I personally can see this being used in classrooms for Key stage 2 in reciprocal reading, and Philosophy for children. As I was reading this book, I had many thoughts and questions, and this can be accessed by children. I thought the main two themes for discussions were; the effects of war and hope. Narratives can convey experiences for children and texts like this one can be a great learning tool.
I think the illustrations and the story is powerful. I personally can see this being used in classrooms for Key stage 2 in reciprocal reading, and Philosophy for children. As I was reading this book, I had many thoughts and questions, and this can be accessed by children. I thought the main two themes for discussions were; the effects of war and hope. Narratives can convey experiences for children and texts like this one can be a great learning tool.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2015
This book was very symbolical. It is about a boy who, presumably, is living in a concentration camp and sees lots of beautiful plants outside of the barbed wire fence. He finds some plant by the fence on his side of the fence and takes care of it, watering it every day and making sure that it grows. It helps him and the other children keep hope that some day they will get to see the world on the other side of the barbed wire fence again. This book had me wondering more about the author as well as any background for writing the book. There was no indication that the boy was indeed in a concentration camp or somewhere else. I suppose by not specifying where exactly the story takes place, more readers could relate to the story because there are other areas in the world that are war-torn and could have barbed wire fences controlled by soldiers.
I would use this book with older children to identify literary elements and discuss the heavier topic of the Holocaust.
I would use this book with older children to identify literary elements and discuss the heavier topic of the Holocaust.
October 10, 2016
When a child, trapped behind the barbed wire of a desolate city finds a tiny plant growing amongst the war-strewn rubble he decides that he must do all he can to feed and care for the plant. In time, he finds that it is a grapevine and as it grows, it brings children and birds to it to enjoy its shade and fruit. When soliders on the other side tear it down, the boy finds, to his luck that seeds are growing and tend to on the opposite side. In time, seeds and growth returns and the story ends with him dreaming of a great life and hope. This allegory of breaking down walls is done well by Foreman who uses pencil and bright watercolours to show the difference between the worlds and landscape.
February 4, 2021
I hope my class one day understand just how lucky they are. But more so, that they grow up to use their privilege for good and lift others.
February 13, 2020
There is a deeper meaning to the title of the book. There is a small boy who lives on one side of a barbed wire fence. The side he occupies and decaying and destroyed whereas the other side of the barbed wire fence is a functioning, privileged city. The boy finds a plant growing on his side and comes to find out it is a grape vine. Soon the vine picks up and clings to the barbed wire fence, supplying his people with food. Soldiers from the other side of the fence come over to the boys vine and tear it down. However, the boy soon finds out that plants are more resilient than he realizes. I enjoyed the book. I would recommend it. The illustrations are well done. They portray emotions extraordinarily well. The boy on the decaying side of the fence is in black and white, but when the vine finally takes, color is brought back to their side of the fence. I think the idea of explaining to students what sort of situation this little boy is in would entice students to feel the inherent justice they feel as children. In a first grade classroom, I could explain this boys situation, and as a result, i could ask the students to write me a short response about how that makes them feel. Children have an innate sense of justice and peeking into that a bit would a be a good assignment.
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December 9, 2021In a story that is deliberately vague in its setting, A Child’s Garden could represent any one of many places around the world today and in the recent past, from Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Donbas region, to Palestine, to the Chechnya of the 1990s and beyond. Judging by the publication date, I’m going to assume Palestine presented much of the inspiration for the book.
The select use of colour creates a strong mood, and I’m sure the illustrations will generate a lot of conversation. It’s a good choice, I think, for children at the older end of the picture book spectrum, and would make a good addition to schools.
The book finishes with a glimpse of a happier future, which seems wildly optimistic, but also necessary, I think.
I’ve seen some reviews of this one where people have guessed the boy is supposed to be living within a concentration camp, but that makes no sense, considering he is with his family in the bombed remains of his house (actually my favourite image in the whole book). I think that assumption – that it’s something from generations ago – goes to show that many Westerners pay little attention to today’s current events.
The select use of colour creates a strong mood, and I’m sure the illustrations will generate a lot of conversation. It’s a good choice, I think, for children at the older end of the picture book spectrum, and would make a good addition to schools.
The book finishes with a glimpse of a happier future, which seems wildly optimistic, but also necessary, I think.
I’ve seen some reviews of this one where people have guessed the boy is supposed to be living within a concentration camp, but that makes no sense, considering he is with his family in the bombed remains of his house (actually my favourite image in the whole book). I think that assumption – that it’s something from generations ago – goes to show that many Westerners pay little attention to today’s current events.
May 12, 2022
A Child’s Garden- A Story of Hope by Michael Foreman- Hindi Language translation by Arvind Gupta- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of a war- torn area divided by a barbed wire. After the war, there is no greenery. As soon the summer arrives, a boy finds that a green shoot is rising from the debris. He finds an old tattered tin with rain water. He waters the plant. He finds a tattered rag and a small barbed wire. He covers the plant from sun and strong winds. By and by the plant grew in to a vine which spread on the barbed wire. Soon, birds, butterflies and children arrived. Children played happily in this atmosphere. When the wine grew, the soldiers arrived and destroyed the wine-yard. One winter season passed. Spring and rains arrived. Vine seeds grew on other side of the barbed wire. A young girl watered this plant. Soon it grew into a wine yard on the barbed wire. Now, they waited for the soldiers to arrive. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi Language translation of this book.
July 28, 2019
Like all great picture book, this one is an allegory that can be read on many levels. Superficially, it is about a child who finds a lone plant growing in a war-torn ruin and shows how he nurses it until it covers the barbed wire fence separating him from the other side. For young readers, we can emphasize the message of hope with the vision that one day war ends, and there can be peace. But only if we work at it.
On a deeper level, with older students and adults we can apply the lesson to all the refugee camps that dot our planet and speak to the inhumanity that can overwhelm our belief that we can wipe these from the face of the earth. This is a book to accompany the study of the Holocaust, Japanese internment camps, the Trail of Tears, Syrian refugees, and more. Only by cherishing that tender shoot or hope and taking action, will we have the power to take the action needed to end the war and hate that imprisons people .
On a deeper level, with older students and adults we can apply the lesson to all the refugee camps that dot our planet and speak to the inhumanity that can overwhelm our belief that we can wipe these from the face of the earth. This is a book to accompany the study of the Holocaust, Japanese internment camps, the Trail of Tears, Syrian refugees, and more. Only by cherishing that tender shoot or hope and taking action, will we have the power to take the action needed to end the war and hate that imprisons people .
January 16, 2018
Set in a war torn city, ‘A Child’s Garden’ is an excellent story to explore the concept of hope and faith when trapped in the most difficult conditions. When a little boy finds a spurting shoot, he nurtures and cares for it until it spreads into the most beautiful garden, which continues to reseed and grow. This garden sparks community and friendship for the characters, which can lead to important talk about the healing power of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. Is it the nature that provides strength, or the presence of someone who wants to strive for life and find something more?
I loved the thoughtful choice of colour- war is so dark and muted, yet nature can bring such vibrancy and light, which can bring about excellent reading between the lines and the implications of choices in illustration.
I loved the thoughtful choice of colour- war is so dark and muted, yet nature can bring such vibrancy and light, which can bring about excellent reading between the lines and the implications of choices in illustration.
October 12, 2019
I really like the hopeful message this book leaves with young readers - so many people, especially young people, live in desperate circumstances due to war, injustice, and violence. In the midst of this young boy's life behind barbed wire in a refugee camp during a time of war, a growing vine presents an opportunity, not only for some shade and color, but for shelter for animals and insects. It also becomes a place where the camp community can come together and enjoy themselves for a moment. But even when soldiers from the other side come and rip the lush vine out by the roots, the seeds and roots of that hopeful plant come back to life, restoring hope to these children. This book would be great to share with kids as a way to talk about the circumstances that lead to children living in refugee camps.
August 30, 2025
A truly beautiful, powerful and important picture book about how there is always hope in times of war, and that light will always triumph in the end. It is a very simple yet effective take to use the garden and what is sprouting as a symbol of peace and hope, and the illustrations are highly effective with their contrasts between the colorful garden and the colorless war – without ever becoming too overwhelming. This picture book can serve as an excellent starting point for talking to children about war, as it so sensitively brings the subject down to a child’s level and leaves the reader with a sense of hope.
November 8, 2020
A child is living in a devastated war-torn country but finds a small part of life and hope in a tiny plant. He cares for the plant and it grows to be a beautiful grapevine. His heart is broken when his beautiful vine is torn down by soldiers, but the story shows the resilience of hope as the vine grows back again- just as the boy hopes and dreams of a day his country is a peaceful, beautiful place again.
April 30, 2018
A sweet book but which is vague as to setting. Left the children wanting to know more of the back story but had to keep our conversation general as we couldn’t pin it to a particular geographical area.
December 7, 2018
There was something about this book which was truly inspiring and made you believe again. Beautiful story and images wrapped up in an overarching theme of hope, of seeing the light in the darkness, and of getting up and going once more, this was a great little book.
February 16, 2020
A sweet story about finding hope in a war torn situation. The girls found the vines easy to connect with, but it was harder to talk with them about why the boy was trapped behind the fence. Perhaps more details would have helped, perhaps not.
July 16, 2020
Brilliant! Such a provocative story full of rich imagery (even if the illustrations weren't there) and a message to which anyone could connect. I read this in during a church service -- children and adults alike seemed to really appreciate it.
October 3, 2020
A charming story about a child hope! The child lived in a world of poverty and restrictions, as a reader I had a lot of empathy for the child. Lovely illustrations accompanying the text . Suitable for upper KS1 and up.
November 7, 2020
This is a beautiful book. The illustrations really tell the story of hope growing as the plant brings colour and life to the previously very grey pages. A symbol that one day the war will be over the and the country reunited.
June 6, 2023
This is a story of hope and resilience, through a war filled wirh destruction and devastation. The narrative is appropriate for younger children and the illustrations effectively combine colorful andsepia-toned pictures to convey emotions.
November 13, 2017
Reread with my Grade 3 class this week.
November 30, 2017
A touching story of hope and loss
April 2, 2018
A beautifully illustrated book that shows that for some, the smallest of things can bring the greatest hope.
February 11, 2020
Poignant and moving, this book opened up a lot of important questions with the children
October 1, 2021
Well, that was grim. Lovely art.
June 3, 2023
Beautifully written story about children reaching out across borders in wartime. I read it many times before giving it away during downsizing.
November 4, 2025
Short story. I ike how the world is seen different through younger eyes. Its not all sadness with a glimpse of hope. Sorry for wrong spellings i am dyslexic.
December 15, 2016
The idea of hope is such a strange concept to explain to children. The difficulty lies in the fact that it’s not actually tangible and that even for adults it can feel like a wisp enchanting you while it dances around your hand but darting away as you reach to grasp it. Michael Foreman does a great job in A Child’s Garden of bringing this idea to life while sending the message to kids that hope is not confined to one person or set of people but something that we all can access.
The story focuses on a small boy who finds a young plant determinedly growing in the rumble near his home. The boy nurtures and cares for it and soon it becomes strong and healthy. It encourages happiness among the people who live around him and entangles itself in the barbed wire fence that separates him from the people across the way. In the wake of this triumph the plant is torn down and thrown into a ditch on the other side of the fence so that the boy can’t help it. However, here is where Foreman brings in one of the biggest messages. The vine not only survives but is nourished by a girl living on the other side of the fence. Its seeds and roots have gone deep and soon other small plants grow too. All of the seedlings are drawn to the fence but the boy is no longer afraid that the plant will be hurt because he know that even if it is torn down again, it will never really die. The text is simple, and powerful, allowing the reader to fill in the rest of the story as they will but providing enough direction not to stray from the overall meaning.
It’s a strong and complex message that is expertly delivered to young readers. Bug is still too young for this concept but we’ve storywalked through the book and discussed the feelings of those illustrated. Foreman has employed a very restrained use of color within the pages allowing young readers to note the importance of the plant and the beauty it brings. Foreman draws a world that is made from rubble and wouldn’t be out of place in a middle eastern nation. This too allows for another discussion about what state people live in and where. The plant itself seems to yearn to grow on the fence. It reaches for it no matter where it is planted. It’s as if it wants to beautify such a horrible symbol of division.
The topics in this book are not simple or easy but they are fundamental in how they encourage readers of all ages to remember that when we have nothing else that there is always hope and that cannot ever be completely destroyed.
Story Tips:
- Be ready for a difficult discussion afterwords.
- If you need tips on storywalking check them out here.
The story focuses on a small boy who finds a young plant determinedly growing in the rumble near his home. The boy nurtures and cares for it and soon it becomes strong and healthy. It encourages happiness among the people who live around him and entangles itself in the barbed wire fence that separates him from the people across the way. In the wake of this triumph the plant is torn down and thrown into a ditch on the other side of the fence so that the boy can’t help it. However, here is where Foreman brings in one of the biggest messages. The vine not only survives but is nourished by a girl living on the other side of the fence. Its seeds and roots have gone deep and soon other small plants grow too. All of the seedlings are drawn to the fence but the boy is no longer afraid that the plant will be hurt because he know that even if it is torn down again, it will never really die. The text is simple, and powerful, allowing the reader to fill in the rest of the story as they will but providing enough direction not to stray from the overall meaning.
It’s a strong and complex message that is expertly delivered to young readers. Bug is still too young for this concept but we’ve storywalked through the book and discussed the feelings of those illustrated. Foreman has employed a very restrained use of color within the pages allowing young readers to note the importance of the plant and the beauty it brings. Foreman draws a world that is made from rubble and wouldn’t be out of place in a middle eastern nation. This too allows for another discussion about what state people live in and where. The plant itself seems to yearn to grow on the fence. It reaches for it no matter where it is planted. It’s as if it wants to beautify such a horrible symbol of division.
The topics in this book are not simple or easy but they are fundamental in how they encourage readers of all ages to remember that when we have nothing else that there is always hope and that cannot ever be completely destroyed.
Story Tips:
- Be ready for a difficult discussion afterwords.
- If you need tips on storywalking check them out here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews