Lisa Anchin

When she blows into Mr. Aster's garden in the form of a tiny seed, the eponymous Little Green Girl is given a home, and carefully cultivated in the retiring gardener's greenhouse. When she is ready, the topiary girl is transferred to the garden, where she at first is happy. But when she learns of the wider world from the birds, she conceives of a wish to see the wonders of that world, trying everything she can to convince the reluctant Mr. Aster to leave with her. Eventually she has to uproot herself completely, and put herself in a handy traveling pot, in order to convince him to venture forth. But when they finally do, the marvels they see are worth the effort, and even find their way back, in some fashion, to the garden...

Having enjoyed the artwork Lisa Anchin contributed to her two previous picture-books - Suzanne Lewis' A Penguin Named Patience: A Hurricane Katrina Rescue Story and Alyssa Satin Capucilli's I Will Love You - I was curious to pick up The Little Green Girl, which is Anchin's debut as both author and illustrator. I found it a lovely book, one which pairs a sweet, fairy-tale-like story about the tension between loving home and wanting to see the world, with beautiful artwork. Anchin has definitely upped her game, as I found her visuals here beautiful, and immensely expressive. Somehow, Little Green Girl feels fully realized, even though she doesn't have any facial features. Mr. Aster's dog is also quite well done, and I loved his looks of concern throughout, and his subtle little actions, in supporting his topiary "sister," such as bringing her a trowel. Recommended to any young child who dreams of seeing the world, and pulls a bit at the restrictions holding them back. Also recommended to anyone who enjoys folk and fairy-tales about unusual "children" of nature.… (meer)