The Concrete Garden is a superb portrayal of a moment in time that will resonate with anyone who experienced the pandemic. The pavement outside the apartment block where Amanda lives is like any other pavement: grey, plain and uninteresting. But when Amanda ventures outside with her box of chalks the pavement takes on a new life. Flowers, birds, insects, clouds, aliens and even a Queen transform the landscape. In amongst the concrete jungle a colourful chalk garden has blossomed. A garden that will bring joy to people across the world… The Covid-19 pandemic will largely be remembered for the lockdowns. The lockdowns that kept us all indoors, that stopped us from seeing loved ones and that put a firm hold on life as we knew it. There were some positives that came from the lockdown though. Community spirt and our ability to find happiness in the simple things in life. Bob Graham takes all of the aforementioned and wraps them up into an uplifting and feel-good post-pandemic picture book. After what feels like years of doom and gloom, Graham casts a chalk-filled kaleidoscope of colour into the world. Through charming words and beautiful artwork he literally paints optimism, hope and the prospect of brighter days onto the pages. The young creative minds, armed with their chalk sticks, epitomising the power of community and the ability to brighten up not only the urban landscape but the lives of their families, their friends, the neighbourhood and the wider world when a sent picture goes viral.
Sure to bring a smile to all, The Concrete Garden is a lovely hug of a book from start to finish. Recommended for 3+. With huge thanks to Walker for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review
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