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Created for children, by children 'Our Shadow Garden' is a touching, tender tale By Kristen SchottPublished: May, 2010

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"Our Shadow Garden" is a beautiful idea for a story. Written by landscape designer Cherie Foster Colburn, the book features art created by young patients at the Children's Cancer Hospital at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas. The book is a "gift" from Colburn to the center's Children's Art Project, a nonprofit organization that funds programs at the medical institution. The story follows Nana, who loves to spend time growing vegetables, plants and flowers in her garden. But when she gets sick and cannot spend time in her beloved plot of land, Poppa and her grandchild work to create a new shadow garden. The new space features plants that sleep during the day and wake during the darker evening hours – it's beautiful. The world comes to life with new animals, such as whip-poor-wills (this is my favorite page), crickets, raccoons – you name it. And don't get me started on the vegetation that blossoms at night: pink four o'clock flowers, star jasmine and moon flowers, just to name a few. The end of the story is precious and heartwarming, and I really can't get over the beauty behind a book created for and by children. Plus, many of the pages offer tips and information about gardening, the plants and other facts that kids can use when learning how to garden – during the day or night. This book has heart, and I hope you have a few moments to pick up a copy and share this wonderful tale with your children. 'Our Shadow Garden' By Cherie Foster Colburn; art by the children of the Children's Cancer Hospital at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Bright Sky Press; $20) Kristen Schott is OC Family's children's book editor. Be sure to check out "Storytime," my video book reviews, for more fun facts about stories you and your kiddies must read. Ever heard of Dustpan, Texas? Looking back at the genre that started it all Do you know a 'Tiny Art Director'? 'How to Draw With Drew' Summer books Author spotlight: Henry Winkler Borders launches Double Dog Dare Reading Challenge 'Zack the Prairie Dog' Oh, what a kid-book world Young adult and children's lit in 1 place Earth Day is coming! Author spotlight: Rhonda Fischer 'That Cat Can't Stay' Calling all book lovers 'Where the Mild Things Are' by Maurice Send-up That dog's gettin' old 'Prentice Hall: The American Experience' Pick up this springtime counting book One whimsical story Anaheim Public Library launches book donation campaign Gosh, I love Spoonfuls of Stories 'Are You My Mother?' Poetry for kiddies Books aplenty in O.C. Vocab – it's not a nightmare anymore 'What reading can do for your kiddies' A look back Book with no words 'Pickle Things' Book vs. Kindle A world of magic awaits Hearts and hugs? 'Rita and Whatsit' Colds and books More 'Twilight'? 'Princess and the Frog' Where do you read? Are they really 'Indestructible'? Book journals 'Weezer Changes the World' 'All Kinds of Families'

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A beautiful book by a beautiful lady - so dear!

Comment at 5/27/2010

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