Saturdays at Harlem Grown

May 1, 2024
A garden grows in Harlem. Not long ago, a teacher named Mr. Tony and one of his students, Nevaeh, transformed an abandoned lot across the street from their school into a thriving urban garden--events that were depicted in Harlem Grown (2020) and briefly recapped here. All winter long, Mr. Tony and Nevaeh discuss what they'll plant when it gets warmer. When spring finally arrives, they're excited but overwhelmed: "How on earth can we do all of this work ourselves?" With a little help from their friends, of course. They put up a sign inviting the community to help clean up the garden: "All are welcome! Young and old!" As people come together each Saturday to pull, rake, till, dig, fertilize, plant, and water, they learn new skills such as composting and recycling and discuss their favorite recipes. The community converges to share their delicious bounty at the harvest festival, showcased in two double gatefold spreads at the end. Hartland's charming signature gouache illustrations convey the vibrancy of a green natural world in comparison to the energetic bustle of the surrounding city. The book closes with information on Harlem Grown, a real-life nonprofit founded by Hillery that began in 2011 as a single urban farm. Mr. Tony and Nevaeh are cued as Black; the community is diverse. An illuminating ode to a natural space in an urban environment. (resources on urban gardening, tips on starting an urban school garden, recipe for vegetable soup) (Picture book. 4-7)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 15, 2024
Grades K-3 Harlem Grown (2020) showed how a community got together to convert a "sad, empty, trash-filled lot" into a garden; here, the story continues as, in the wake of a long winter, "Mr. Tony" and his young assistant, Nevaeh, put up a poster inviting everyone to a Saturday "Spring Clean-Up." That Saturday, and subsequent ones too, volunteers troop in--to rake, till, and plant new beds of flowers and veggies; care for the growing crops; share recipes; build a small book collection; conduct seminars on recycling; and even raise chickens until, at season's end, one final Saturday brings a grand harvest festival with crafts and cooking demonstrations, displays, and bags of produce to take home. Hartland's bright and bustling illustrations once again celebrate not only the rewards of working together but also the broad racial and cultural diversity of the Harlem community. For readers inspired to start their own urban gardens, the author closes with helpful pointers and resources, along with perceptive insights into the multiple benefits such collective projects can bring--to individual participants as well as communities.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2024
Mr. Tony and his student, Nevaeh, plot during the winter months how to bring their community garden in Harlem into bloom with a spring cleanup and planting party. The neighborhood shows up -- people of all backgrounds, with gardening tools and flowers and seeds and doughnuts for snacking on -- to work together and watch their garden grow. They add a small library, too, and just as they share their library of books, the group shares their library of knowledge, with members who have expertise in cooking, in raising chickens, in plumbing and carpentry. Hartland's illustrations burst with color and detail, a visual feast; keen-eyed readers will notice plants growing and changing from scene to scene. The daubs of paint and visible brushstrokes give the art a tactile feel that pairs well with the vibrancy and hands-on nature of the garden. Children will enjoy the art but also likely appreciate learning (from the back matter) that the book is based on a true story and written by Mr. Tony himself. Steps to start an urban school community garden and a recipe for vegetable soup are also appended. Perfect both for a lap-sit to pore over the details and for community-garden or farmers' market storytimes. Amanda R. Toledo

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2024
Mr. Tony and his student, Nevaeh, plot during the winter months how to bring their community garden in Harlem into bloom with a spring cleanup and planting party. The nei7ghborhood shows up -- people of all backgrounds, with gardening tools and flowers and seeds and doughnuts for snacking on -- to work together and watch their garden grow. They add a small library, too, and just as they share their library of books, the group shares their library of knowledge, with members who have expertise in cooking, in raising chickens, in plumbing and carpentry. Hartland's illustrations burst with color and detail, a visual feast; keen-eyed readers will notice plants growing and changing from scene to scene. The daubs of paint and visible brushstrokes give the art a tactile feel that pairs well with the vibrancy and hands-on nature of the garden. Children will enjoy the art but also likely appreciate learning (from the back matter) that the book is based on a true story and written by Mr. Tony himself. Steps to start an urban school community garden and a recipe for vegetable soup are also appended. Perfect both for a lap-sit to pore over the details and for community-garden or farmers' market storytimes.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)