Publication Date: March 1, 2003 | Age Level: 4 and up
A beautiful, deluxe peek-through picture book inspired by the classic story, THE SECRET GARDEN, by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
It's a hot day and sitting outside is a girl who has just finished reading her favorite book, THE SECRET GARDEN. As she is about to fall asleep, a bird flies overhead and drops a key into her lap, and her adventure begins. The girl discovers a world of magic and friendship within the walls of her own secret garden. Children will love the process of discovery in this story, as they peek through the holes on every spread and turn the pages to reveal each hidden surprise. Adults sharing the story with their children will appreciate the echoes of an adored book from their own childhood.
Kindergarten-Grade 3-This lovely picture book draws inspiration from the childhood classic and is quite effective in its presentation. On a hot, sunny day, Sophie is reading in the grass when she sees "-something glimmering in the trees. What could it be?" A robin drops a key into her hands, which unlocks a door to a lush garden, and much more. A treasure hunt begins with more clues, delivered by forest animals, and revealed through small die-cut holes in the pages. Sophie finds a hat, a doll, and a jump rope, and with each new acquisition remarks, "Somebody will be looking for this!" In the end, the treasure is a new friend. The vibrant, rich colors of the flowers against the soft pastel watercolors of the sky, grass, and trees bring to life what Frances Hodgson Burnett's words inspire in one's imagination. The combination of breathtaking impressionistic illustrations that call to mind a Monet painting with clues delivered in a clever way reminiscent of Eric Carle's Secret Birthday Message (HarperCollins, 1972) results in a masterful homage to Burnett's original tale. Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Born in 1964, James Mayhew studied illustration at Maidstone College of Art, graduating in 1987 with first class honours. His first book for children Katie's Picture Show (Orchard Books) was published in 1989, beginning his million-selling series of books introducing the work of famous artists to children. There are now nine books about Katie, exploring artists from the Italian Renaissance to Post-Impressionism.
A passionate advocate of art and culture for the very young, James's books range from Shakespearean anthologies (To Sleep, Perchance to Dream; Shakespeare's Storybook), through to grand opera (The Barefoot Book of Stories from the Opera) and most recently ballet, with the Ella Bella Ballerina series. His books are published in many languages including Chinese Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish, Catalan, Greek, German, Italian, Brazilian, French, Korean, Finnish, Danish, Swedish and Estonian.
James has now published over fifty books for children and has illustrated works by many well known contemporary writers: Philippa Pearce's Beauty And The Beast (Macdonald), Elisabeth Beresford's Lizzie's War (Hodder), Martin Waddell's Boneless And The Tinker (Orchard Books), Joyce Dunbar's Mouse & Mole books (Corgi - adapted for television in 1997 and featuring the voices of Alan Bennett and Richard Briers), and Jenny Koralek's The Boy And The Cloth Of Dreams (Walker Books), for which he was awarded the New York Times Book Illustration Prize in 1994.
As a writer, James enjoys creating texts for other illustrators, including Who wants a Dragon? for Lindsey Gardiner (short listed for the Sheffield Children's Book Award) and Can you see a little Bear? for Jackie Morris.
An experienced storyteller, James has devised and performed unique orchestral concerts for children with narration and live illustration, including Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, Stravinsky's Firebird and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition for the de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2008 he was invited to participate in workshops and children's promenade performances at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
His book Koshka's Tales: Stories From Russia (Kingfisher Books), has been adapted for the Syracuse symphony Orchestra, New York as a children's concert using music by Rimsky-Korsakov and he has also illustrated for the Mariinsky (Kirov) Opera, St. Petersburg and for the Metropolitan Opera Guild in New York.
James is invited to speak internationally at schools and at Literary and Arts festivals, including the Cheltenham, Bath and Edinburgh Festivals, organising a wide variety of art projects with children. He has taught courses on writing for the Arvon Foundation, and also teaches illustration at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.
Forthcoming projects include new Katie and Ella Bella titles.
James is a member of the Art Worker's Guild and the Society Of Authors.
This review is from: Secret In The Garden (Hardcover)
Inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden, writer/illustrator James Mayhew has produced a beautiful and engaging picture book that allows young readers a peek into the story of young Sophie as she embarks on a summer's day adventure in her garden. A mysterious key dropped by a robin flying around in the garden fires Sophie's imagination as she opens a secret door in a wall, and steps through into a fun adventure! Every page has a little 'window' of sorts that allows the reader to peep through to the next page, revealing delightful surprises. This is one of those 'magical' tales that will enchant young readers (and truth be told, older readers too!) - the idea of a secret hideaway that holds lots of pleasant surprises is something that every child will appreciate. Every full page spread is filled with beautiful illustrations, awash in gorgeous colors and are simply entrancing to behold. This is a book that will be cherished for many years to come, and has inspired my preschooler and I to embark on garden adventures of our own!
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This review is from: Secret In The Garden (Hardcover)
James Mayhew has a wonderful way with art. After reading his Katie books, I purchased this book sight unseen and was pleasantly surprised. The book is loosely based on the book, The Secret Garden. The illustrations are beautifully produced, including a window leading the reader into the next page. This is a good book for a child 7 and older. I also recommend this book as a gift.
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