A young, brown-skinned boy with bright and observant eyes heads outside to sit quietly in his backyard garden. “I am so quiet, I even hear the sounds around me— chirp, squeak, crunch. I can almost hear a butterfly flutter by. I sit still and listen.” As hungry fauna move about the colorful flora, the boy watches as a vivid food web is cast about him. Parallel to the main text runs a friendly repeated conversation between the animals he sees. To the butterfly sipping nectar, a worm asks, “Why did you do that?” “I was thirsty,” said the butterfly. “And it is so tasty and sweet.” A thoughtful introduction to the peaceful and amazing aspects of simple gardens for very young children, Aliki’s latest picture book concludes with directions for creating an outdoor garden. (Ages 3–6)

I love to go into the garden.
I sit quietly.
I see flowers and plants.
It makes me feel peaceful.
If I am very still,
I see birds, insects,
and creatures I had
not noticed before.
I can even hear them!
Nibble, crunch, chomp.
Chew, bite, slurp,
swallow, gulp.
They are all hungry!

Get ready to look and listen.
Get ready fbr fun in the quiet garden.
You can make your own quiet garden, too!