Jake Greenthumb

Because he is good with plants, Jake receives so many plants from his neighbors that they take over his room.

reSchool-Grade 2-Jake Greenthumb's neighbors all bring their ailing plants to the small boy with large glasses, who has a magic touch with growing things and can turn even the most dispirited specimen around. But when the plants begin to grow to abnormal sizes and his room starts to resemble a jungle, he knows that it is time to return the restored plants to their owners. This makes him feel unhappy, until his friends return with gifts for him. Gaillard's vivid, cheerful illustrations, with people, plants, and objects heavily outlined in black, depict neighbors from many ethnic backgrounds, as well as a woman in a wheelchair. A supplement to multicultural studies and units on neighborliness and helpfulness.
Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.