Through the Garden Gate

by Sharon Rose, Erin Brown (Illustrator)

A classic story for the modern era, Through the Garden Gate is a beautifully illustrated picture book that takes readers on a journey from the mundane to the magical, exploring the wonders of the garden through a child’s imagination.

Miles is bored one summer’s day—until a visit to a neighbor leads to a surprising a mysterious garden gate—and the adventure of a lifetime. What begins as an ordinary afternoon transforms into a magical journey filled with fairies, curious critters, and the most enchanting plants.

Every plant Miles encounters is based on real-life flora, carefully and accurately illustrated by Erin Brown. Readers can learn more about them in the back of the book, too!

Written by debut author and renowned garden designer Sharon Rose, Through the Garden Gate will take root in your imagination, delighting young readers and reminding us all of the magic that lives in the garden.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Nature, Fantasy, Gardening

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 7, 2026

About the author

Sharon Rose is an award-winning garden designer based in San Francisco, California. As the owner of STUDIO SF Landscape Design, founded in 2018, she specializes in revitalizing natural landscapes and creating unique garden spaces. With over two decades of experience and extensive knowledge of California native and Mediterranean plants, Sharon’s work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Sunset Magazine, and Luxe Interiors & Design. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and teaching children about the magic and wonder of plants.

Reviews

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 💫

Charming and Informative

The lovely cover made it easy to imagine a whimsical world! Hidden garden spaces feel inviting and creative. The inclination to explore what lies just beyond the gate is what drives the protagonist, Miles. He finds himself meeting a few creatures from fantasy, some real ones and lush plant life. I like how much information about the outdoors was included. The illustrations were eye-catching and vivid.

The two sides of the book fantasy and facts didn't mesh well. In theory it could work, but in a brief children's book maybe there wasn't time to develop both enough. I enjoyed seeing moon flowers included as they grow on our trellis and smell amazing.

Despite the minor quibbles, I do think children will find plenty to enjoy here.
🌼🌻🌺🌹🏵💮🌸

Thank you to The Collective Book Studio for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miles is bored and doesn’t know what to do. So when he tells his mom that he has nothing to do, she suggests that he help their neighbor with her garden. Reluctantly, he does what he’s told, but soon he’s about to discover the best and most magical garden that turns his frown upside down!

This was a cute story! 😍 The illustrations were absolutely stunning! I was about ready to fall into my screen from looking so closely at the detail put into the pictures. 😂 The story was really interesting, involving fairies, talking animals, and whispering trees. It brought to mind the wonders of The Secret Garden, that Mary learned to love the more time she spent in the great outdoors. What I also liked was that at the very end of the book, there are pictures and a small paragraph of info about the different types of flowers featured in the story, making this not only a fun read for the kids, but an educational one, too! ❤

All in all, I totally recommend this book about the beauty and magic of gardens. ☺

Thank you to The Collective Book Studio and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.

#ThroughtheGardenGate #NetGalley

[Joyce Uglow]

Thank you to The Collective Book Studio for providing a digital review copy via Edelweiss Plus. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

From the Collective Book Studio website:

"Sharon Rose is an award-winning garden designer and environmental artist based in San Francisco, California. She is the founder and owner of STUDIO SF Landscape Design, established in 2018, where she specializes in revitalizing natural landscapes and crafting distinctive garden spaces. With over two decades of experience and deep expertise in California native and Mediterranean plants, her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Sunset Magazine, and Luxe Interiors + Design. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and inspiring children to discover the magic and wonder of plants."

"Erin Brown is an award winning Northern Irish illustrator who lives and works on the beautiful island of Jersey. After graduating university with a bachelors degree in Fine Art, a passion for stories and children’s books took hold. She combines her love for hand drawn lines and traditional techniques with the flexibility and freedom of adding colour digitally. She has worked with clients all over the world but particularly loves illustrating Irish stories and folklore. Her love of stories comes from her Grandad who lived by the sea and was always ready with a tale or two. When she’s not working in her tiny studio, she can be found baking something overly sweet, exploring the forests and cliff paths of Jersey or down at the sea shore, watching the tide roll in."

The picture book for ages 5 "and up" titled THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE written by Sharon Rose, illustrated by Erin Brown, is scheduled for publication by the Collective Book Studio on April 7, 2026. The CBS is a "partnership publisher" where authors pay a creative fee. In their words, "The Collective Book Studio is a partner publisher. We are not a traditional publisher and do not pay an advance to purchase the publishing rights. Instead, in this partnership arrangement, the author pays for our services and retains the creative control and the rights, and collects a large portion of the income from sales."

THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE is tagged on Edelweiss as juvenile fiction, science and nature, flowers and plants. It begins like this. "It was a usual summer day." Miles is bored and is quite easily convinced to go help a neighbor in need. He falls into the task of pulling crabgrass, noticing a gate.

Spoiler alert... the gate he crawls through opens into a fantastical world of flowers, fairies, and a trio of tasks aided by talking trees and go-get-'em-gophers. Miles and his team attempt to get to the bottom of a problem beyond the gate where the fairies don't venture. He decided it was time for courage, to figure out--not fear---the unknown.

IMO, the core driving question of this book involves the reader and a potential call to action. What magic is "alive in the garden"? It book concludes with Miles wondering if he had "... merely dreamed his whole day" and asks his mom if they could work on their garden tomorrow.

Erin Brown's artwork is stunning, a real treat.

[Temi Adamolekun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the Garden Gate is a charming luminous tale that invites young readers to follow their curiosity and discover the subtle wonders of the natural world.
With lyrical simplicity and illustrations steeped in quiet nostalgia it reveals how every plant and creature belongs to a vast, interwoven system.

Beneath its gentle lessons lies a deeper message: a reminder to believe in magic, for you never know what might unfold when you do.

A gentle ode to curiosity, and a timeless reminder to see the extraordinary in the everyday."

Temi Adamolekun, Founder of Pembroke Collective and Author of Your Special Voice

[Kasey Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the Garden Gate provides a fresh perspective to educate children about gardening! The imagery and story call back to childhood classics that keep the reader hooked on every page!

[Monique Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved your book! It’s whimsical, magical and really highlights your love for gardening and nature. Amazing work.

[Lesley McCreath · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother, the real Miss Mary, would be so pleased to be a part of such a beautiful book about two of her favorite things – gardens and children’s imaginations.

Lesley McCreath

[Rhoda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely delightful read that brought back childhood memories of me helping my grandmother in her garden!
Coach Rhoda

[Lisa Vere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a magical story about a secret garden that will expand the imagination of its readers and have them looking at the plants and animals around them in a different way.

[*TBR_PackedandStacked* Kristin B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Collective Book Studio and NetGalley for this gifted digital copy.

Another stunning children’s book.
The illustrations and colors were beautiful and added much to the story itself. This is a wonderful story about a young boy who is “boooorrrred” in the house and his mother encourages him to work in the garden. He end up finding ways to help a neighbor who is recovering from an injury in her garden. He stumbles upon a gate that leads to a secret garden that holds something special.


Definitely want to add this to my physical collection!

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the Garden Gate is a story that champions curiosity and bravery. The unknown is only the unknown until you find the courage to go there.

Bright, beautiful illustrations by Erin Brown showcase the exquisiteness of a garden in full bloom. Awash with colour the illustrations will captivate young minds.

This is the perfect story for budding gardeners, to imagine and build their own little fairy garden.

Read my full review at: https://littlesquirrelsbookshelf.blog...

[Sallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given access to this title via NetGalley.

This was a sweet little story with beautiful illustrations. Loved the section at the end that included information about the plants in the story. I’m always encouraging the kids to explore more outside and I think this book provides a great example of how they can use their imaginations to enjoy the world around them!

[Deborah Fontaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Through the Garden Gate" by Sharon Rose, beautifully illustrated by Erin Brown, takes young readers on a delightful adventure that sparks curiosity and appreciation for the great outdoors.

On a seemingly dull summer day, Miles pops over to lend a hand to a neighbor with her garden, only to stumble upon a fascinating garden gate. This gate opens the door to an extraordinary escapade filled with faeries, colorful flowers, and enchanting animals he’s never encountered before. Each magical plant Miles discovers is inspired by real-life flowers, making this whimsical tale not only captivating but also an engaging way for kids to explore the wonders of nature. As he contemplates venturing even further, one wonders—will Miles muster the courage to take that leap? I absolutely love this enchanting fairytale, which carries a wonderful message about the importance of embracing the unknown and trying new experiences.

A heartfelt thank you to Sharon Rose and The Collective Book Studio for providing this advanced copy of such a lovely book for my review of this upcoming children’s classic.

[Eilidh · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is whimsical and magical, I love the illustrations and found myself taking more time than normal to look at them. This is definitely a book that is enjoyable for the adult reading it as well as the child. One that all ages can get lost in the magic. Really enjoyed learning about all the different plants at the end too, it was a nice touch.

I can’t wait to read this to my nephew as I always tell him about ‘The Secret Garden’ book I read as a kid and think this will definitely peak his interest especially with the character being a young boy. I know he is going to love it as we always had fairy gardens in my grans garden before she passed and he’s a big believer. It’s easily going to be one of my favourite books to read to him. 🧚

Thank you Sharon Rose, NetGalley and The Collective Book Studio for allowing me to read and review before publishing, I really appreciate it.
X

[S.A. Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four Point Three Stars
Cute, whimsical and informative book.
Miles is bored at home and he decides to help his old neighbour with the garden. There at the garden he finds a gate and that leads Miles on an adventure with fairies, gophers, and helping plants.
There is trouble there at the new magical land and Miles is able to help them.
That is when the fear of the unkonw crops up. Will Miles and the fairies be able to solve it?
Beautiful illustrations and whimsical story as Miles meets fantastic creatures in the garden (or is it his imagination?) and learns new things about plants and animals around. He also learns about where to find magic.
Enjoyable read for older children.
Thank you for the eARC Netgalley.

[ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flipping through the pages brings an easy, calming vibe that pulls the reader in without effort. The soft illustrations and gentle pacing create a cozy sense of wandering rather than just reading.

[Anna R · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book for lovers of nature and imagination. This book reminded me of a modern illustrated Secret Garden with a twist of Where the Wild Things Are. Lovely and whimsical.

[Jessica Yeager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the Garden Gate is such a beautiful and refreshing read! Every kid has experienced that feeling of being bored with “nothing to do,” and I love how this story gently nudges children toward the magic of just being outdoors. It celebrates curiosity, imagination, and the simple joy of discovering something new right outside your house.

As a lifelong lover of secret gardens and tiny magical worlds, the inclusion of a hidden garden and fairies was an instant hit for me - and for my kids, who were immediately drawn in and stayed hooked as Miles finds himself on an unexpected adventure to protect this magical space.

The book blends whimsy with meaningful themes: courage, exploration, noticing the world around you, and even inspiring others to care for something larger than themselves. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and make the garden feel alive, filled with rich details of the plants and creatures Miles encounters.

I also appreciate the gentle educational layer woven throughout - young readers will love learning about the plants and animals featured in the story without it ever feeling forced.

A captivating, imaginative read that encourages kids to get outside, pay attention, and believe that a little magic might be hiding in the most unexpected places.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first want to thank the Collective Book Studio for allowing me to preview this book. I won’t summarize it for you because the description is pretty much spot on. My biggest takeaway - the illustrations!! Wow!! But with that being said, the pages are truly packed. So many amazing things to “hunt” for. Obviously, reading it on my phone is a lot different than holding a full size book. But I think it’s a little overwhelming for very young readers. Also, the story is a bit more involved, so again I would recommend an older audience.
The story itself was very good. But I found that the illustrator managed to fill out the written story by forcing me to STOP and literally smell the roses. And search for fairies, and wildlife. And experience the gift of doing good for others.
I pray it encourages all “bored” children find themselves in nature, igniting their imaginations and instilling a heart that yearns to give more than it wants to receive.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magical gardening book that was beautifully illustrated and created a world for children to discover specific plants through imagination and play.

[Mario M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our oldest son loves this book and so do we. The art and journey are a beautiful adventure for any reader to embark on.

[Marni Fylling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the Garden Gate is a beautifully illustrated book that makes me wish my son was young again. He would have loved the mixture of reality and magic, the fairies, talking animals, and scientifically accurate plants (with facts and information) that he could spot around town. As a parent, I appreciate that Miles discovers that he can find satisfaction in an activity he initially had no interest in, that he can be helpful to a neighbor who needs assistance, and he can use his observational skills to solve problems. This is one of those books that can be enjoyed over and over- each time you look at it, you’ll find something new in the luscious illustrations. Just like in a real garden!

[yaqin yang · Rating 5 out of 5]

We brought this book into our classroom and have been reading it together every day. The children enjoy exploring a few pages at a time, asking questions, and connecting the story to their own experiences.

The book has led to many meaningful discussions and fun hands-on activities. We are now planning a tunnel project inspired by the little mouse in the story using paper tubes, which the children are very excited about.

It has been a great learning resource, and we highly recommend it to other teachers and families.

[Derin K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the Garden Gate is a charming, informative story that takes readers on a magical journey. I loved the information about the plants in the garden, and the mystical points in the story were so clever (crab grass that looked like crabs)! The illustrations were beautiful and I know I’ll go back to the book time and again to catch details I missed the first time. I also love that the book ended with information about the plants highlighted throughout the story.

[Ken Yuen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art was lovely. Love the education into flowers

[Little Batties · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through the Garden Gate is a magical journey for a little boy who passes through a mysterious garden gate while helping out a neighbor. He gets to go on a grand adventure, make some new friends, and experience the magic that can be found in nature. It was sweet in an unexpected way, and it was a cute read.

It is a book that teaches lessons on kindness and helping others. However, it also shows young readers what can happen with a little magic in your life. It is one of those stories I can see littles enjoying, and it can even start conversations on kindness and helping others and why it is important. So, if you are looking for a little magic, take a step through the garden gate and read this story.

Thank you NetGalley and The Collective Book Studio for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Peter B.]

Through the Garden Gate by Sharon Rose, illustrated by Erin Brown, is a charming and beautifully rendered picture book that transforms an ordinary summer afternoon into an unforgettable journey of imagination and discovery.

The story follows Miles, a bored young boy whose curiosity is sparked by a mysterious garden gate. What begins as a simple visit to a neighbor unfolds into a magical adventure filled with fairies, lively creatures, and enchanting plant life. The narrative gracefully bridges the everyday and the extraordinary, reminding readers that wonder often waits just beyond the familiar.

One of the book’s most distinctive strengths is its grounding in real botanical detail. Every plant Miles encounters is based on actual flora, carefully and accurately illustrated, with additional educational material included at the back of the book. This thoughtful blend of fantasy and factual learning enriches the reading experience, making it both whimsical and informative.

Rose’s storytelling carries warmth and imagination, while Brown’s illustrations bring lush vibrancy and depth to each page. Through the Garden Gate is a delightful celebration of curiosity, nature, and the transformative power of a child’s imagination perfect for young readers and the adults who share stories with them.

[Moira · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

I thought the illustrations were captivating. The story was simple and cute, about a boy who discovers the magic of gardens. My favorite part of the book was actually the end where the plants and animals that were mentioned in the book were listed with more information. I hope it inspires young readers to appreciate, love, and find magic in gardens.

Parts I did not enjoy was the attitude of the boy in the beginning, I think it’s cheap and annoying to hear or have kids always being portrayed as being ‘bored’. Although short lived, it’s not something I like to expose kids to. The neighbor who has the garden seemed very demanding to someone who is volunteering help. I thought the way she interacted with the boy was odd, and then she just appeared randomly and then disappeared again with no closure.

Overall a cute story with beautiful and vibrant illustrations, but the flow of the story didn’t really work for me, and I enjoy more positive interactions throughout.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this eARC.

[Doreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated fairy tale for modern children that could, perhaps, use a few more pages to better explain some of the story diversions it takes while chronicling the magical adventures of its young protagonist.

Said protagonist Miles is boooooooored, in the manner of all kids with too much time and not enough hobbies. His mother suggests that he goes next door to help Miss Mary with her garden, and to visit with her dog Sunny. Gardening sounds super dull to Miles, but who doesn't love hanging out with cute pets? So off Miles goes to see if his older neighbor needs any help a/o company.

Miss Mary introduces him to her new baby chicks before teaching him how to dig up crabgrass. At first it's tough work, but once he gets the hang of it, he takes pleasure in a job well done. While doing so, he notices a small, closed gate beyond the California poppies. Miss Mary says, with a twinkle in her eye, that he's free to explore once he's done with the crabgrass that's crowding out her flowers. He definitely takes her up on the offer, and soon finds himself in a magical place of fanciful creatures and fascinating plants.

I really loved how Sharon Rose melded this fairy tale with educational facts about the plants she highlights. I don't recall ever hearing of the Boquila vine before but definitely want to see one in person now! I also really appreciated that she brought up how weeds are just plants that people don't want growing in a certain place, tho with a well-written note as well about invasive species.

Story-wise, I've found that reading children's books as an adult can be a strange experience, especially when you go back to the beloved books of your childhood only to discover that the magic has diminished because the narrative definitely isn't as good as you recalled. The fictional narrative here doesn't quite fall into that same trap but I definitely came out of the experience with more questions than answers -- questions I likely wouldn't even have had as a child! Like, how did the gophers fix the bog? And why didn't we get to see the battle against the magical crabgrass on the page? I think those stories could have been spread out into two entertaining books. Honestly, this feels like the terrific basis for an entire series, tho one that needs a little firmer shaping -- pruning, if you'll excuse the gardening metaphor -- to make it something truly special.

Erin Brown's illustrations, gorgeous end papers included, are a visual delight. There were, again, some interesting editorial choices that had me asking questions but overall the book was a botanical feast.

Through The Garden Gate by Sharon Rose & Erin Brown was published April 7 2026 by The Collective Book Studio and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!

This review originally appeared at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, this book was really beautiful in its simplicity, with a degree of educational sophistication that makes it distinct from other picture books with nature-focused premises. Right away, especially from the third page, Erin Brown pulls no punches in making the illustrations as beautiful and detailed as possible, with the lighting giving off a really serene atmosphere. The designs of the human characters are really cute and simple, from Miles to his mother to even Miss Mary.

As soon as Miles comes over to Miss Mary’s house, he encounters “unusually colored chicks”, which was a pretty subtly clever early tease that the book was going to be fantastical. As Miles does tasks for Miss Mary, he notices a small door. When he gets the chance to go through the door, he’s surprised to find that it was smaller than he expected. The first fairy that Miles crosses paths with introduces herself as Gloria, who like all the other fairies have adorable designs.

The detail Brown puts in her illustrations is especially apparent once Miles is in the fairy realm, as there are so many different fairies and animals hiding in the bushes from page to page that you can’t help but to identify and count, which is fun to do as you follow the narrative. I thought the threat to the environment was going to be more human-caused, and while those kinds of messages are important, they are also overdone, which is why I actually prefer that the stakes are more intimate here. The image of the fairy realm at dusk is gorgeous, and it’s easily the best spread in the book.

The end of the book has a section titled “About the Plants and Animals in this Book”, which features information about the plants in the story. For a book that’s meant to teach children about plants, it was incredibly helpful for me to put the story into perspective. Even though Rose does a good job at implementing much of the information in this section throughout the story, it makes the book feel more like a Magic School Bus book or even a Magic Tree House Fact Tracker rather than a purely fantasy story in that respect, so that was a great decision on her part.

Ultimately, Through the Garden Gate is an adorably beautiful story about seeing the beauty in things when it’s not so obvious. It shows how sometimes, you need to get out of your comfort zone and just explore the world to understand things that you might not care about or think about that often, and how interacting with your surroundings can help you realize things about yourself that you never knew were a part of you. I think that this book could really inspire kids to get into gardening or even botany, or at least learn new things about plants that might surprise them, or to even just make them want to go outside after reading.

For more children’s book reviews and other content, check out the blog of a children's book writer and illustrator at the Naimoli Children’s Books Blog!