Inch by Inch: The Garden Song [Hardcover]

David Mallett (Author), Ora Eitan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1995 | Age Level: 4 and up

Here are all the words and music of this popular song, so even the littlest of growing children can sing and play along. A simple story about childhood faith, the verses sing of one little boy overcoming every obstacle, rocks and weeds and a hungry cow, and being rewarded with a giant harvest. Words and music for piano and guitar are included. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Musician and songwriter Mallett presents a peppy rendition of a familiar folksong, the music to which is printed on the book's final spread. Rake over his shoulder and brimmed straw hat pulled down to his eyes, a grinning young gardener struts down the path as the refrain begins: "Inch by inch, row by row,/ gonna make this garden grow./ All it takes is a rake and a hoe,/ and a piece of fertile ground." After planting seeds, the diligent protagonist-hands folded and gazing at the sky-asks that "someone bless these seeds I sow." Though its flat, somewhat muddy palette seems at odds with the effervescence of the song, Eitan's (Sun Is Falling, Night Is Calling) accomplished art exerts a strong pull; her style is at once simple and sophisticated, by turns representational and abstract. Heartwarming. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1?In this picture-book version of the song first published in 1975 (Cherry Lane Music Publishing Co.), a young child plants seeds, prays that God will bless them, weeds and tends them, and, finally, gleans a bountiful harvest. The rhyming text, which is at times ambiguous ("Feel the need to grow my own/'cause the time is close at hand"), takes second place to the delightful illustrations. The young gardener, wearing a shirt, vest, and pants, with an oversized hat that covers facial features, could be male or female. Accompanied by a playful dog, the child works, slides down rainbows, defends the garden against a hungry crow, and gathers the produce. The paintings are large with some objects spilling over into the ample white space that makes up the borders. Employing a variety of media including cut paper, Eitan uses color and space to create a striking effect. For example, orange tones are picked up in the child's vest, the tree bark, fruits, roof tops, and the earth. Musical notation appears at the end of the book. Use this with Lois Ehlert's Growing Vegetable Soup (Harcourt, 1987) and Douglas Florian's Vegetable Garden (Harcourt, 1991) for a celebration of gardening in story and song.?Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community-Technical College, CT
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers; 1 edition (May 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060243031
• ISBN-13: 978-0060243036
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,070,092 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Seems to me you'd stop and see how beautiful they are, July 30, 2005

By 

E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Inch by Inch: The Garden Song (Trophy Picture Books) (Paperback)

In 1975, folksong writer David Mallett wrote that infinitely catchy song "Inch By Inch". Children world-round have undoubtedly heard this product in one form or another. Whether it was John Denver on "The Muppet Show" (whee!) or in their preschools, "Inch By Inch" is, suffice it to say, well-known. Fast-forward to 1995 and David Mallett goes the next logical step. Whether he intended it or not, "Inch By Inch" is primarily sung to children. And when you've a catchy and popular children's song under your belt, why not make it into a picture book? Not all folksongs work as children's books (I've yet to see a well-done "Turn Turn Turn" or "Kumbiyah" though infinite books carry those songs) but "Inch By Inch" is that rare exception that when it works, WORKS!

"Inch by inch / row by row / gonna make this garden grow / All it takes is a rake and a hoe / and a piece of fertile ground". Sing along! You know the tune! Going through a variety of verses, we see a cheery child (possibly a boy, possibly a girl) doing some gardening. The kid, faithful pup in tow, hoes the ground, plants seeds, pulls weeds, and removes stones. The weeds and stones are amusingly huge, but the exaggeration works. Though black crows threaten, the crop is full and hearty. In the back of the book is the sheet music and lyrics for the original song itself.

Illustrator Ora Eitan is thus far best known for "Bunnies" books, like "Astro Bunnies" and "Cowboy Bunnies". Here, Eitan's distinctive style serves the book well. The pictures are both simplistic and mildly detailed. There's a great deal of fun at work here and it would take a hard-hearted child indeed not to want to grow something of their own after a reading. There is one picture in the book that's a little out of whack though, not to say mildly disturbing. With the lines "we are made of dreams and bones / Feel the need to grow my own / 'cause the time is close at hand" we see child and dog at the base of a treee, watering it. On this two-page vertical spread a dog, identical to the one below, flies about the top of the tree's boughs on a pair of thin green wings. Reading the words and seeing the picture you have to make one of two assumptions: either this is a dream of the dog below (who is not even remotely asleep) or the dog is dead. The dog doesn't reappear for some time after this picture which would seem to back up this theory, but at last it ends up on the final page with the kid. If Eitan's making a statement of some sort with this illustration, it's foggy at best.

Otherwise, a fine fine book. Parents adore this title, especially when they can remember the tune. Vocally gifted or tuneless as a tank, it really doesn't matter. The book's just a great little addition to anyone's garden centered storybook collection. Consider pairing it with David Small's, "The Gardener" or Crockett Johnson's, "The Carrot Seed", the next time you get a chance to do a summer storytime.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great to Sing and Read, October 9, 2003

By 

KDD (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Inch by Inch: The Garden Song (Trophy Picture Books) (Paperback)

I reconnected with this song after hearing John Denver sing it on a recently released 'Muppet Show' DVD. It's a song that I have enjoyed sharing with my 2 year old daughter and the book brings the lyrics to life. The illustrations are beautiful and well reflect the lyrics. The book is a staple must-read for us throughout the day and is essential at bedtime (Mom, sing the garden song again!). Several children's cds have this recording by other artists, but my favorite by far is the John Denver.

5.0 out of 5 stars Endless fun for little ones who like to sing, May 27, 2011

By 

Yowza - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Inch by Inch: The Garden Song (Trophy Picture Books) (Paperback)

The song that provides the text for this book was an instant classic. Its beautiful and simple melody is easily learned by folks of all ages. The illustrations perfectly invoke the joy of spring with an exhuberant little character. My boys loved this one and learned every word so they could sing along - even when they got old enough to be "too cool" for picture books.

If you want to have a lot of fun singing with your little one, this book is great.