11/11/2019
The mother-daughter team shapes a deeply affectionate tribute to the bounty of nature and the love of gardening they both shared with the late Dorothy Rodham, Hillary’s mother and Chelsea’s grandmother, here mentioned by her first name. On each spread, the authors share a singular memory of gardening with Grandma Dorothy at various points in their lives: “I remember being so proud that Grandma asked me to help her care for the azaleas,” recalls a young Chelsea; Hillary, reminiscing about her mother gardening into her 90s, notes, “Watching my mom enjoying our garden and tending to it gave me as much joy as it gave her.” Less effectual than these personal recollections are accompanying platitudes ranging from obvious (“Gardens give us food”) to extraneous (“Gardens are places to share stories”). Lemniscates (Birds) gracefully marks the passage of time in tranquil mixed-media pictures showcasing the changing seasons and the richly hued flora, vegetables, and fruit they bring, the maturing appearance of each character, and, ultimately, the addition of Chelsea’s children to the cheerful gardening brigade. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)
02/01/2020
PreS-Gr 2—In this nostalgic paean to gardens and grandmothers, Chelsea and Hillary Clinton share their memories of Hillary's mother, Grandma Dorothy. In alternating paragraphs (Chelsea's in blue type, Hillary's in green), they talk about the ways gardens can be places of learning, discovery, and story sharing. Gardens can provide homes for animals and food for people. Readers watch Chelsea grow from a curious toddler inspecting a ladybug to a young adult sharing souvenir books from gardens she had visited. Except for her hair color, Hillary changes little from young mother to grandmother herself. The illustrations also have a static quality. Pretty, pleasant, and tidy, the gardens are manicured and controlled—no dirt, no weeds, no flowerpot or blossom out of place. VERDICT Filtered through golden memories, these recollections will probably appeal more to adults than children. The book may prove a popular gift for grandmothers, especially those with gardens.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University Library, Mankato
2019-12-08
In an inviting picture book, Chelsea and Hillary Clinton share personal revelations on how gardening with a grandmother, a mother, and children shapes and nurtures a love and respect for nature, beauty, and a general philosophy for life.
Grandma Dorothy, the former senator, secretary of state, and presidential candidate's mother, loved gardens, appreciating the multiple benefits they yielded for herself and her family. The Clinton women reminisce about their beloved forebear and all she taught them in a color-coded, alternating text, blue for Chelsea and green for Hillary. Via brief yet explicit remembrances, they share what they learned, observed, and most of all enjoyed in gardens with her. Each double-page spread culminates in a declarative statement set in italicized red text invoking Dorothy's wise words. Gardens can be many things: places for celebration, discovery and learning, vehicles for teaching responsibility in creating beauty, home to wildlife large and small, a place to share stories and develop memories. Though operating from very personal experience rooted in class privilege, the mother-daughter duo mostly succeeds in imparting a universally significant message: Whether visiting a public garden or working in the backyard, generations can cultivate a lasting bond. Lemniscates uses an appropriately floral palette to evoke the gardens explored by these three white women. A Spanish edition, Los jardines de la abuela, publishes simultaneously; Teresa Mlawer's translation is fluid and pleasing, in at least one case improving on the original.
Sage, soothing ideas for a busy, loud, sometimes-divisive world. (Picture book. 5-8)
Praise for Grandma's Gardens:
"A deeply affectionate tribute to the bounty of nature and the love of gardening." —Publishers Weekly
"Filled with mindfulness, the story inspires children to reflect on family and keep memories alive." —Booklist
In an alternating narration, the mother-daughter Clinton team shares personal memories of gardening with the late Dorothy Rodham, Hillary’s mother and Chelsea’s grandmother, in this nostalgic ode to gardens and grandmothers everywhere. Listeners will discover the ways gardens can be places of learning, contentment, and story-sharing while also providing homes for animals and food for people. The deep affection and gratitude for their beloved family matriarch, “Grandma Dorothy,” is evident in both women’s emotional narration. There is a laugh in Hillary’s voice and honor and respect in Chelsea’s as they relate their happy memories. Also evident are their love of gardening and the importance of gardens throughout their lives. Perfect for little ones listening together with their own grandmothers. S.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
In an alternating narration, the mother-daughter Clinton team shares personal memories of gardening with the late Dorothy Rodham, Hillary’s mother and Chelsea’s grandmother, in this nostalgic ode to gardens and grandmothers everywhere. Listeners will discover the ways gardens can be places of learning, contentment, and story-sharing while also providing homes for animals and food for people. The deep affection and gratitude for their beloved family matriarch, “Grandma Dorothy,” is evident in both women’s emotional narration. There is a laugh in Hillary’s voice and honor and respect in Chelsea’s as they relate their happy memories. Also evident are their love of gardening and the importance of gardens throughout their lives. Perfect for little ones listening together with their own grandmothers. S.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
