Grandpa Green wasn't always a gardener. He was a farmboy, a kid with chickenpox, a soldier, and an artist. In this captivating new picture book, readers follow Grandpa Green's great-grandson into a garden he created, a fantastic world where memories are handed down in the fanciful shapes of topiary trees.

Reviews

"In this affecting picture book, a boy recounts the life of his beloved great-grandfather...The author's illustrations, a blend of line drawings and sponge painting, have a classic feel, and make clever use of the topiary theme, rewarding close examination and repeated reading."--"The New Yorker" "Great-grandpa's memory may be going, but the past remains vibrantly alive in the playful topiaries that decorate his brilliantly green yard. Lush and magical." --"People" "An unassuming little masterpiece...the book's power lies in its rich, allusive artistry." --"New York Times Book Review" "It's a rare glimpse into Smith's softer side--as skillful as his more sly offerings, but crafted with honesty and heart." --"Publishers Weekly" Starred Review "Visually intriguing and emotionally resonant, this is a book to pore over and talk about. With each subsequent reading, it offers new layers of meaning and visual connections.""-School Library Journal" Starred Review

"Opening this book is like opening a gate to a secret garden, filled with the treasures of a life well lived. In his portrait of a boy who adores and honors his forgetful great-grandfather, Smith shows us that the things that are meaningful to the ones we love become part of our garden, too." --"Shelf Awareness"

"Though this book has lots of adult appeal, it will also be a wonderful bridge to exploring family history with the very young." --"Kirkus Reviews"

"Sketched with a finely lined fairy-tale wispiness and dominated by verdant green, the illustrations are not just creative but poignant." --"Booklist"