Lunch one day was a slightly cold Caesar chicken wrap. Why? I mean I purchased it warm. Well, I thought I had lost my credit card. And after three really bad days, that would have been the brown icing (if ya know what I mean) on the cake. Therefore, I tore my purse apart. That took longer than expected as I have used said bag to be a catchall for things recently (several pens, a coffin shaped sticky note pad, tiny 3D Mickey Moused eared ducks in various colors, stickers, odd scraps of paper, half a BAB price tag…) and the sandwich became cold. So it would have been not unusual for the books read during this time to not be a hit. However, the universe threw me a win.
I know this is not a great review but all I want to say about the titles below is that I liked them. And they made me happy.
Tiny Garden: A Picture Book by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Jax Chow
Baba Palooza: A Picture Book by A. D. Ghani and illustrated Nadia Alam
To say more is gilding the lilly but I will say that they are sweet stories about being yourself, patience, understanding the small things, being proud of yourself and loved ones, and so much more. They have different themes (one is about a small garden that brings big joy; the other about a girl and taxi driving father) but I would totally recommend them together. Having them back to back really was a small happy boost.
The illustrations can be mentioned without me feeling that I am repeating myself about how much I like them or ruining the story. Both are unique from each other but have some on the surface similarities. Both are not fully “real looking” with a bit of cartoon-like imagery. But they are perfect for the feeling the authors are going for. Both illustrators seem to have a love of the subject. They use colors, shading and what details are needed to set the mood. Tiny Garden needs a more dreamy look to keep a whimsical tone and it does, whereas Baba Palooza needs a more upbeat and silly look and, yes, has that.
Overall they might become personal favorites, but I’m not seeing “Future Classic/Gunna be 100 Year Reads.” But that is okay, as they are needed now. They are good at showing the diversity of people, places and gardens. It is something we need now to help with the wild and crazy of current events. The World might not recognize them, but you will make them Personal Classics. Both read via online readers, and due March and April 2026
